Chelsea Patenaude

Owner, Head Trainer

Chelsea Patenaude attended the State University of New York in Cobleskill and received a Bachelors degree in Animal Science with a concentration in Canine Training.  During her college education she learned from one of the best police dog trainers in the country, Stephen McKenzie, who worked directly with Chelsea.  She obtained hand on knowledge and experience regarding nosework, tracking and trailing, and obedience through the courses that Dr. Stephen McKenzie taught.  Throughout her college career, Chelsea worked side by side Dr. Stephen McKenzie as a teacher's assistant and taught many of the obedience classes, as well as gave demonstrations to the incoming students interested in animal science courses. 

While taking as many canine classes she could, and even taking some twice, she became a member of the North American Police Work Dog Association and was able to certify her dog Lexi Lou in obedience! She also helped rehabilitate a rescue dog named Petey, who eventually found a loving home.

Throughout her college career, Chelsea worked in a dog boarding facility named Paws Pet Resort and Spa in Cheshire, Connecticut as well as working over the summer at North Country Animal League, an animal shelter in Vermont. 

Once senior year came around, Chelsea knew exactly where she wanted to carry out her internship requirements, Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities, as known as ECAD.  ECAD is a non-profit service dog organization where they breed and train their own dogs for people with physical disabilities, PTSD, Autism, and various other disabilities clients may face on a daily basis.  While working for ECAD, Chelsea was able to certify for public access, which allowed her to bring service dogs in training out into public areas, such as stores, and restaurants.  After completing her internship, Chelsea was hired to permanently work with Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities. 

In 2015, Chelsea and her husband, Tyler, moved to Vermont after a tragic diagnosis of Tyler's father.   Chelsea then began working under Ian Grant of Vermont Dog B'n'B in Morrisville. Ian Grant is an amazing trainer, visionary and mentor in the dog industry.  He specializes in rehabilitating dogs that have many different issues, such as, dog aggression, human aggression, leash reactivity and much more. During Chelsea's time at Vermont Dog B'n'B she was able to practice "reading" dogs, observing dogs in a social environment, and train hundreds of dogs and their owners that needed help. In a matter of a few short months, Chelsea was promoted to Operations Manager and also had the chance to fly to Utah and attend one of the best workshops in the country with Heather Beck.

Now Chelsea is back in Connecticut with her husband and brand new daughter, Ella. Chelsea is now eager to start helping more dogs and their owners!