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 Brazilian jiu jitsu & other martial arts. Check out Josh Hesser's site as he prepares to open his new school in Colchester CT on July 1st! www.abdcolchester.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 3 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, and heads up our team of "aggressive dog" trainers. 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. Along with John, Tom is also a member of the Royce Gracie jiu-jitsu network.
Becky Maurice has just joined the staff after selling her share of a dog training facility in upstate New York. She has a Bachelor in Animal Science from UConn, is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer, and is certified as an Instructor Trainer. She performs ongoing training, attending dog training seminars regularly. She will be primarily focusing her skills on teaching group obedience classes, and in home private lessons, along with teaching our shelter dogs some much needed obedience skills to help them better find homes! She also is Jonathan the Husky's trainer!.
JoAnn Dooley
Prior to joining John Gagnon's staff in 2007, 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 the resort's manager. JoAnn currently lives in Colchester with her six dogs.
Nichole Varriale Nichole Varriale has been with the resort since opening in 2003, and even worked out of John's house when the business was run from there. 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 finished her studies in animal care in 2009, Nichole is now with us full time, working in the kennel and grooming.
Elyse SchiaviElyse Schiavi has been at the resort since early 2005 while attending RHAM high school. Now off to colege she still helps out in reception in the summer and around the holidays. She is from Amston, has been an animal lover her whole life, and has a 10 year old rescued Lab named Zachary.
Abbie Abbott is a junior at Lyman Memorial where she is involved in teh Vo-Ag program. She has an Aussie named Maggie & a Catahoula named Lily. She has an outstanding work ethic caring for the dogs staying overnight with us.
Mike O'Connor started at the resort in 2009, his pets include a chinchilla named Raisin, a cat named Dandelion, and a bird named Chomper. he attends Lyman Memorial High School where he hopes to learn as much about animals before going to college to become a vet.
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 joined us in the summer of 2007, and graduated Bacon Academy in 2009! We look forward to her helping out when home from UConn around the holidays. She has two dogs of her own, a crazy Brittany Spaniel named Boomer, and a spoiled Yorkie named Nikki!
Greg GagnonGreg Gagnon is off to the University of Vermont! 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
Ashley Gluck brings nine years grooming experience to the resort! Growing up with breeds such as Cockers, Poodles, Afghans, and Lhassas, she developed some grooming skills early on. She lives with her three dogs, Mugzy, a Bulldog, who Ashley moved out of her "Not dog friendly" apartment three years ago so that she could adopt him. She then adopted Butch, her handsome Beagle, and Leonardo, her 5 mos old Standard Poodle who is very sweet and playful. All three get along great and Ashley says she is very happy, thankful, and blessed!
Darcy MeoDarcy Meo has been with us since 2004, and was originally the kennel manager. She now heads up the sales, installation, 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 helps when training dogs to use their pet fence! 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. 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.
Aurora Chmielecki
Aurora Chmielecki joined the staff in March of 2008 and is the head evening & weekend receptionist. 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 and assists Tom with aggressive 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 graduate of RHAM High School in Hebron. 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.
Joey Falco started at the resort this spring and is helping Tom & Jimmy in the daycare yard.
Kristi Napolotano has recently relocated from Mass, and has joined the grooming team. She is shown here with her Boxer Sadie
. 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.