According to Wikipedia the definition of 'Trainer' is:
Animal training, a person who trains animals for obedience, tricks, and work
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Well I will redefine what 'Trainer' means to me.
A 'Trainer' is someone who works with another to elevate their state of consciousness, be it an animal, a person, or a group. A 'Trainer' should be a wise person, doing their best to impede good skills or behavior in their pupil. A responsible trainer isn't just after immediate results.
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Many years ago while working on a Quarter Horse and Texas Longhorn Ranch, the owner was an arse who delighted in bringing me to tears damn near everyday - in one of his ridiculing moments he said to me (in his thick old world Italian accent), "what takes you 3 months to train in an animal I can accomplish in 3 weeks".
Being a headstrong person I retorted back "yea, well in 3 years my animal will still have its heart and spirit about it - yours won't".
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No truer words have ever been said.
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I don't break their spirit, I don't treat them like an object - they are living breathing creatures that have just as much right to a quality life as I do - as you do.
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There has always been an animal at my side, since birth. My parents were (Mother still is), some of the biggest animal lovers ever. My father was a Marine who served our country in the war against North Korea and while stationed in Korea, he done his best to save dogs from the cooking pot, I remember stories about a white shaggy dog he saved, just took it from the people who were about to kill and eat it. I can only imagine their faces as my tall proud Marine father just walked up and took their meal from them.
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My grandfather was known far and wide as a horse trainer,
not that he made any big deal about it, I now know it was just as natural to
him as it is to me. Born and raised in the West Virginia mountains to a half
Native American Indian; a horse person extraordinaire named - Cora Coleman
(third cousin to the famous Pocahontas), he spent all of my years in Oceanway,
FL and that is where I spent my youth - on the back of a horse.
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In order to get my first horse (of my own), I had to prove myself worthy to my father, his criteria was good grades in school. That was my 8th grade in Junior High and I made the Honor Roll with one B and the rest A's. Her name was Dixie. She was the first, there were more along the way but you always remember that green horse that taught you more than any person ever could of. I took more falls of that horse than you can count on all your digits, enough to teach me how not to fall anymore, after her it was hard to get me lose from the back of a horse. I learned hard, I learned fast, I learned solid. Most lessons never had to be repeated when it came to horses.
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My father was the grand dog lover, his favorite breed of all times was the Pit, but he was gifted with one he never could fully trust and after the dog killed many neighborhood dogs he gave him back to the gifter - he couldn't bare to kill a creature he loved so much. This dog was bred to fight, he was a fighter and not enough was known about the stupid sport (man-lust for blood), to counteract the breeding - which I am not sure that was even possible with this dog - he was a killer and would kill damn near any animal that came onto the property. After that my father never took on another Pit again and enjoyed the company of mutts, Springer Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever, and he absolutely loved my German Shepherds and Doberman Pinchers.
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My mother is the forever cat person, she also loves birds and has taken care of many in her younger years. Now she is keeping company with a beautiful Himalayan cat named Ms Prissy, as they spend their senior days enjoying each other's conversation.
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My natural skills have been enhanced by my thirst for knowledge and not accepting anything less than perfection in the work I produce. The animals deserve someone dedicated to them, you won't find many people who go the full measure that I walk on a daily basis for not only the animals in my care - but all animals - everywhere.
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My influences are many, like a sponge I've absorbed information from the likes of Victoria Stillwell, Bruce Fogle D.V.M. and Cesar Milan. As well as many trainers I have met on a personal level and owe my
Schutzhund training experience to Phil Guyett. For the cats its the amazing Jackson Galaxy who is in my opinion the
Guru of Cats, absolutely love him. For horses I studied long and hard under the discipline of John Lyons and well - Dixie was my greatest horse teacher. Strong supporter of Tellington-Jones TTouch techniques and use her massage techniques on a daily basis with the animals in my care.
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Throughout my life I have encountered many wild animals too, as I'm no stranger to wild places and find myself trekking through our great land admiring the natural wonders. For the most part I leave wild animals alone - it is best for them, and only intervene when they are in danger and my assistance will aid them rather than panic them more.
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My experiences have taught me that wild animals know if you mean them harm or help and every animal I've ever tried to help - allowed me to do just that. It is amazing to free a Great White Heron from a tangled forgotten trout line in the middle of southern Georgia black water swamp. Have this bird right next to your face - knowing at any moment it could peck your eyes out, cut loose the filament wrapped around its wings dangling it above the water (alligator food). Once freed this bird was set down, not having any other place to put it other than in the boat with me. It stretched its wings careful not to hit me with the massive spread, tested them a couple of times, jumped to the edge of the boat and after a long look at me and what I consider a 'thank you', it soared into the air slowly, carefully making its way through the canopy.
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My name is Sheila, and I am a Trainer. Thank you for reading my story.
Have A Grand Day and an even Better Night!
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