About

Darlene has always loved animals.  When she was a little girl she would take the cats out of the sandboxes in the playgrounds and bring them home.  There was not an animal she didn’t want to have as a pet.  Growing up she had fish, birds, hamsters, cats and dogs.  She always wanted a pony but mom didn’t go for that!  However she did take horseback riding lessons.

She was a volunteer with the local humane society, Lollypop Farm.  She began as a gift shop cashier and had the opportunity to go through the Turken Training dog training program.  Brian Kilcommons started the foundation to help shelters make dogs more adoptable by providing the shelter with dog trainers.  The training was grueling, some people didn’t make it through the program.  There was book work and hands-on training.  Although it was difficult, observing the shelter dogs flourish was rewarding.  The dogs looked forward to the basic obedience training and time together.   The main focus of the training was sitting and loose leash walking.  After many months of training Darlene received her certificate and continued to work with the shelter dogs.  Six months later Lollypop Farm decided to have a help line called Pet Peeves.  Pet parents would call the help line and ask for advice with their pet problems.  There was a cat group and a dog group, Darlene took the training for the dog group.  She completed the training and flourished in that position.

One day Darlene was shopping at Petsmart and noticed a sign stating the store was in need of a dog trainer.  So she completed an application and was interviewed.  She was interviewed by the store manager and the regional dog trainer.  Both decided she would be an asset to Petsmart and hired her.  In order to teach you have to go through Petsmart’s accreditation process.  This process consists of reading materials, reviewing videos, and hands-on training with the regional trainer.  Darlene received her accreditation and taught at Petsmart for several years.  She enjoyed working in the store and teaching Puppy, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Private lessons. 

She decided it was time to leave Petsmart and start “Scooter’s School of Sit & Stay.” She applied to become a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator and the application was approved and she passed the exam.  Currently she teaches Puppy, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced classes.  She also provides private lessons catering to the student’s individual needs.  The CGC exam is also offered to those interested.