John Gagnon, known throughout the Northeast as the Dogman®, has been training dogs full time since 1994. The inspiration that started it all was his desire to reduce the number of healthy dogs killed in Connecticut pounds, currently 15,000 annually. Finding dogs homes is a great effort taken on by many, but does not begin to address two primary root problems. Many people give up their dogs simply because they do not know how to train them, and there are too many pets that are not spayed or neutered, creating a gross over population. As long as pets are not spayed or neutered, this will always be the case. Rescue organizations and Veterinarians from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Maine, and New Hampshire regularly call on John for his experience and expertise.
By John educating people on how to better communicate with their dogs to prevent unwanted behavior, he hoped to begin to reduce the number of dogs in Connecticut pounds. Although his training approach and philosophy are uniquely his, he has been influenced by many top dog trainers including Jean Donaldson and Leslie Nelson, as well as marine mammal trainer Pat Carraciolo. His efforts have also been featured over the years on channel's 3 & 30 news.
John's obedience training classes and private lessons soon showed a demand for grooming services. Doggie Daycare was added shortly after, based on clients struggles to adequately exercise their rambunctious dogs. Next, pet fencing was added, satisfying the same client's needs to be able to properly exercise their dogs in the safety of their own yards. Finally, in 2003, the ultimate Pet Resort was completed at 227 Upton Road in Colchester. A 10,000 square foot facility offering the client everything that their dogs could possibly need while their owners are away on vacation or just at work. The new facility has also helped rescue organizations rehab some of their homeless dogs with behavioral issues.
In addition to his passion for animals, John is an avid practitioner of Gracie jiu jitsu. Check out Royce Gracie, Jim Hughes, and the rest of the guys at gracie-jiu-jitsu.com.
MEET OUR STAFF!
Jessica Guilbeault
Jessica Guilbeault is usually the first one that you'll see or talk to at the resort. As our senior receptionist, you will often see one of her two boys behind the counter with her, a five year old cocker-clumber mix named Max. Her other boy, a 2 year old cocker named Tucker plays in daycare. Both of her dogs eat John Gagnon's Premium Chicken and Rice dry food. She also has a cat at home that she rescued named Tillie Bear.
Tom SearsTom Sears has been the Daycare Supervisor since 2003, immediately after the expansion of the resort. A lifetime resident of Colchester, he tried several different fields after high school before landing here. Once exposed to the world of pet care, he knows this is what he'll do for life. Tom has rescued two dogs, Waldo & Gunny, both boxers, that were deemed "unplaceable" by their respective rescue groups, due to their aggressive natures. Tom, as he has done repeatedly with dogs in our care, has tamed them to the point where they live together peacefully. Both of Tom's dogs are eating Oma's Pride RAW diet.
Cirisa Quade
New to our grooming team in 2009, bio coming soon!
Jessica Seen here during an exercise session with one of our overnight guests, Jess is the recipient of the 2007 Top Dog award, presented annually to the years best employee. Wanting a change from working at her family's business, Jess began the position of Kennel Supervisor in March of 2006. Jess is also the proud mom of two rescued greyhound brothers named Atom Bomb & Pac Man. Atom, once considered to be a difficult dog to find a home for, has blossomed in her care. In a random greyhound search a year later, following Atom's pedigree, she stumbled across Pac Man, his long lost brother, who was homeless in Florida! She immediately began the process of reuniting the two littermates! They enjoy John Gagnon's premium Lamb & Rice diet.
JoAnn Dooley
Prior to joining John Gagnon's staff, JoAnn spent 6 years at the Glastonbury Veterinary Hospital as a veterinary technician. She has also worked at two show kennels for Cavalier King Charles and English Toy spaniels, and now is head of care for our overnight boarding guests. JoAnn currently lives in Colchester with her six dogs.
Nichole Varriale Nichole Varriale has been with the resort since 2003. She and John met when she was with a work study program in the 8th grade, and volunteered one day each week. When the program ended, she stayed on and has been with us since! Having recently finished her studies in animal care, Nichole is now with us full time, working in the kennel and reception areas, as well as continuing to improve her grooming skills under Ashley & Cirisa.
Elyse SchiaviElyse Schiavi has been at the resort since early 2005. Originally hired to help maintain the kennel and assist with the dogs, she is one of the rare teens that have been given the responsibility of kennel supervisor, a position typically trusted to adults. She is from Amston, has been an animal lover her whole life, and has a 9 year old rescued Lab named Zachary.
Lauren Roach
Lauren Roach first applied for a job at the resort back in 1997 while bringing in her Chocolate Lab, Scarlett. Of course, Lauren was six at the time, and there's that whole Labor Law thing! Finally, after ten years, we are fortunate to have added her to our staff of hard working animal lovers! Lauren has always loved animals, most notably horses and dogs.
Meghan CollettaMeghan Coletta joinedus in the summer of 2007, and attends Bacon Academy where she is involved in sports. Meghan has proven herself to be a hard worker, and stays focused on her responsibilities. She has two dogs of her own, a crazy Brittany Spaniel named Boomer, and a spoiled Yorkie named Nikki!
Greg GagnonGreg Gagnon is a sophomore in High School, and is involved in a Vocational Agriculture program studying primarily pets and livestock. He has grown up with multiple dogs and cats, as well as other pets, and has always shared in the responsibility of their care. While unsure at this point exactly where this path will lead, he is sure that, like his uncle, his future is with animals.
Ashley Gluck
Our most recent addition to the grooming team! Bio coming soon
Darcy MeoDarcy Meo has been with us since 2004, and was originally the kennel manager. She now heads up the sales and training of our pet fence division, as well as participating in marketing, and other administrative responsibilities associated with the resort. Originally from Harborside Maine, she has a background in counseling and psychology, which is a great advantage as she aspires to become a dog trainer here as well. Darcy currently has five animals. Her cats are O'Neill (Go Yankees!), Swagger, and IP. She has two dogs, a dogue de bordeaux mix, Babycakes and a Pit Bull named Mojave. All were rescued. Look for her and Mo out and about in the Pet Stop Pet Fence truck-they are always on the go! Both Mo and Baby are eating John Gagnon's Premium dry chicken and rice dog food.
Casper Meo
Saturday March 29, 2008 while training a new dog to a fence, Casper passed away. As most of you knew, he had his share of health issues. While Darcy and her husband alleviated any undue stress after his diagnosis, we all vowed not to take away his freedom and place him in a bubble.
His love was for life, and for his work. Darcy tried to keep him home some days, but Casper would not hear of it, blocking her exit until she relented and allowed him to do his job, which was to help teach hundreds of dogs how to safely use their new pet fence.
Darcy allowed him to show everyone what he was capable of. Three years ago Casper was a dog in need of a home. He had been tossed around, as so many dogs are, living years of his life chained to what others defined him as. He waited with zest, passion, determination, and sheer will, that there was something better...someone better. Nobody needs to be saved by another, but when there is someone who believes in you, loves you for who you are, and supports you...you have found a soul mate. Darcy & Casper? Two souls who recognized each other, and the rest is history.
Few of us are lucky enough to have a nurturing, loving, and supportive immediate family, let alone an extended family. You are all part of that extended family.
Michele LongoIn the year 2000, after 15 years of working in the world of marketing, Michele Longo jumped off the corporate ladder and went straight to the dogs! She first got her feet wet working with dogs in her position as the playtime manager at an area pet resort. Michele then did an intensive full-time internship at a strongly respected training center in central Connecticut; after which she was ready to launch her full-time career in reward-based dog training. Michele currently trains at several different training centers and takes pride in having initiated a very popular small breed program. She happily provides private, in-home training throughout Connecticut. As a trainer, Michele enjoys passing on what she has learned to her many training assistants and interns and is happy to offer her time as a mentor to those who are interested in exploring the world of dog training. Michele enjoys working with people and finds it very rewarding to be able to pass along her skills and knowledge of positive reinforcement training methods to her many clients and their dogs. Michele is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and an evaluator for the Canine Good Citizen Test. As a lifetime learner, Michele attends up-to- date training and behavioral seminars. Michele spends her own playtime with her two beloved dogs, Coco, her Dachsund pictured here, and Gibson, her Golden Retriever.
Aurora Chmielecki
Aurora Chmielecki joined the staff in March of 2008. She is a resident of Colchester and attends the University of Connecticut.Aurora loves animals and has two dogs of her own, a Cocker Spaniel named captain Jack, and Chow/Shephered mix named Katie. She is a certified Veterinary Assistant and plans to continue working with dogs after college.
Jimmy Hunt
Jimmy joined the staff in May 2008. He works in the daycare yard, where he particularly enjoys the energetic dogs, and attends Three Rivers Community College working on a business degree. "It's a privilege to work at the Resort, best job I've ever had" he says. Although he is currently unable to provide the proper time and care for a dog of his own, he plans on rescuing one as soon as he finishes college.
Kelly Fox
Kelly joined the staff in April 2008, bringing five years experience in the pet care industry. In addition to grooming for three years, she also does some pet sitting on the side in the shoreline area. She works in reception, greeting your dogs upon arrival, grooming during the week, helping Tom in daycare, as well as caring for them in the kennel during their stay. Undoubtedly one of our most well rounded staff members!
Tara Dagesse
Tara arrived at the resort in March 2008 and is a student at RHAM High School in Hebron where she lives. Although coming to us without prior professional experience, her experience at home with her three horses, 26 chickens, her baby Jack Russell Brooke, her spoiled rotten Yorkie Belle, and Llary the Llama, had her plenty prepared for her responsibilities here! Tara plans on attending Veterinary school to pursue her passion of caring for animals.
Aidan Hall Griffin
Aidan takes care of building maintenance, as well as helping out caring for the overnight guests. He has been with us since 2007, and attends college full time.
Pia Gagnon
Pia is in charge of quality control here. Found on the side of the road by a client at four weeks old, she was brought into us, and we in turn brought her to the Colchester Veterinary Hospital. After three days in intensive care, she came back to us for an isolation period until she became healthy enough to be exposed to other cats. Living in John's office, she was more or less raised by Gunner, John's Rottweiler, over the next two weeks. It was at this time she realized that she was a dog in a cats body! Now you'll see her patrolling the building, making sure all of our work is completed to her high standards. To the receptionist's dismay, you may also find her editing some of their work on the computers. Usually all you have to do is say "kitty", and she'll come running up to greet you.
We boast one of the most dedicated and experienced staffs in the industry, who receive rave reviews from our loyal clients every day. Please stop by at any time during business hours to tour our facility and meet our staff. No appointment is needed for a tour, we believe that a kennel should be clean all the time, not just during scheduled visits. You should know just how your dog is being cared for.