FIDO Trainers

Foundation for Invested Dog Ownership

Trainer Profiles

KAREN ALLEN

Karen has 25 years experience training dogs, shown in conformation & obedience, CD (Companion Dog) on a Basenji and several Champions in conformation. Karen has owned and worked with Basenjis,

Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, Beagle, Australian Cattle dog mixes, and a Jack Russell mix. She is currently working a dog in Rally and Home Helpers, and several shaping exercises with the clicker.

Karen loves training dogs because she feels if people could see the potential in their dogs with just some attention, time, training, love, and companionship they would be that best friend forever, no questions. They always like to hang out and listen, and be there waiting for you. Karen has made a difference in the FIDO dogs she has worked with and it brings her joy to know she helps save dogs’ lives, definitely worth saving. Karen says, “They are always so happy to see you when you come into train; it is very rewarding to me.”

KATHY KEENEY

Kathy Keeney, CPDT, NADOI, has been a dog trainer in the Spokane area for many years. She has a love for all breeds of do

g and personally owns two Border Collies, an Australian Shepherd, and a Pomeranian. She works at the Spokane County shelter; aka SCRAPS, and is ASPCA SAFER™ certified, to perform aggression assessments on shelter dogs going through the adoption process.

Kathy teaches puppy and basic manners classes. Training focuses modern methods using treats and praise. She also offers a class for people with mobility problems, including wheelchairs, and targeting classes those working towards having a service dog. Kathy is an AKC Canine Good Citizen and Star Puppy evaluator, and is a member of APDT.

DEBRA PARKER

Debra Parker and her dog, Lady met at FIDO and have been in love ever since. Debra lists this among the reasons she loves to p

articipate in the FIDO program. Debra enjoys helping dogs be all that they can be and then helping find the perfect home for the now "perfect" dog. “This is unbelievably rewarding” Debra says with

a smile.

Debra eloquently adds, “FIDO has taught me all I know about working with and training these beautiful creatures, but I came to FIDO with a heart for dogs and a desire to help. This place is full of people like me ... it's totally awesome!!!”

Well put, Debra!

JON GARCIA

Jon Garcia is relatively new to the field of dog training but does has gained a ton of experience, having owned and worked with several dogs of his own including his female boxer who is Jon’s second boxer, his favorite breed. Jon describes her as a high-energy, fun-loving dog.

Being around dogs has been one of the greatest joys of Jon’s life, and so he recently decided to get involved with helping these wonderful animals by volunteering at SCRAPS. Jon loves working with the dogs; just walking, playing, bathing, brushing, and cuddling them to make their stay there better. Jon’s desire is to train dogs and to understand their behavior and body language. He is studying these things on his own and learning from the dog trainers at SCRAPS as well. Jon likes training FIDO dogs because it gives them a head start for a good relationship with their new family. This is all an exciting new endeavor for Jon who says even though he’s had many dogs of his own, he found that he missed a lot of what they were saying by not understanding their language.

When not at SCRAPS Jon’s regular job is as a machine operator/machinist. He likes to bicycle, alpine snow ski, read, and of course, walk with his dog. Jon has served on the National Ski Patrol at Mt. Spokane, and worked as a youth leader with elementary through high school youth at his church.

LISA LUCAS

Lisa Lucas, CPDT. Lisa has fourteen years of experience teaching dogs, starting with a rag-tag team of sled dogs (Siberian Huskies)!

Lisa currently lives with one Siberian Husky and a Belgian Sheepdog. She is a Certified Pet Dog trainer and professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Lisa owns a dog training business where she specializes in dogs with problem behavior. She was also the Training Director for the Prison Dog Training program at Geiger Corrections Center in Spokane.

Lisa loves working with dogs and the people in their lives, because the human-animal bond can touch and influence humanity to the core.

FIDO trainers are a group of professional dog trainers and volunteers, dedicated their time to shelter dogs. Each trainer is individually selected, and regardless of their experience, goes through a specific training program to be approved before they can work with FIDO dogs.

Our trainers are a skilled, enthusiastic, and dedicated to helping shelter dogs get the basic training they need to be adopted. Trainers use only dog-friendly, modern training methods and call on their many years of experience to quickly and effectively get dogs ready for adoption. Dogs are trained, exercised, and cuddled every day.

Assistants aid trainers acting as dog walkers, couch cuddlers, bathers, and ball throwers and are a valuable part of the FIDO team.

FIDO Trainers - What Makes Them Special