Connie with Zeke and Casey
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After volunteering at the Indiana County Humane Society and falling in love with helping dogs & cats, I quit a career in management in banking and took a minimum wage job as a kennel attendant and never looked back. That was over 15 years ago. This eventually led me to accepting the Dog Kennel Manager & Executive Director position at ICHS. I served a few years later in the position of Dog Kennel Manager and Executive Director for Four Footed Friends as well. Shortly thereafter in 2003, I helped start and I still remain, one of the original founding members of the Indiana County CART (County Animal Response Team) which is called out to help with emergencies where pets are involved. I served as Pres. & Incident Commander for ICART for several years & still serve as their Logistic Officer. I also have one class left to take to be certified as a volunteer member of the American Humane Red Star Rescue team that is deployed to national disaster areas to help in the rescue efforts & care of displaced animals.
My first job as a Veterinary Assistant was working for Dr. James Boatman, who founded Indian Springs Veterinary Clinic. I will be forever grateful for this first opportunity he gave me to work in a veterinary setting. I also got the opportunity to mentor under Dr. Brian Fenchak, V.M.D. for approximately six years, helping with spays and neuters at the Indiana Co. Humane Society as well as at his practice at Winterset Veterinary Hospital in Ebensburg, PA. This experience led me to the decision to return to college. This was a little frightening since I had been out of college for 11 years, having graduated from Penn State University with a BA in Communications, but I did get accepted into Indiana University of Pennsylvania for Biology/Pre-Veterinary. I knew that I would also need a flexible work schedule to be able to return to school as an adult, and as luck had it, I was offered a position as a Realtor for Putt Real Estate. For 5 1/2 years, I had the pleasure of helping many people buy and sell homes in and around Indiana County while I attended IUP. My clients were great to work with and understood my school schedule and supported me in my goal to continue working with animals. After taking my courses at IUP, I was accepted at The Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh where I graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology. I went on to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam and became licensed in Pennsylvania as a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT). I then started my application process to apply for graduate school. While waiting to find out about my acceptance, I worked as a CVT for a small animal clinic in Butler. I then decided to return to Indiana to open this business so that I can help even more pets and their owners. Currently I am a doctoral student enrolled with Kingdom College of Natural Health in the Doctor of Naturpathic Animal Science program.
Nutrition and its effect on our animal family members has been a passion of mine for over 20 years. While at the Indiana Co. Humane Society, I applied for a grant and was approved by Hills Science Diet for the shelter to receive better food for the dog and cats there. This was so important because changing the food that was fed to the animals every day via donations, was causing severe GI upset and diarrhea. We continued to accept any donated food and I started a program to donate the food to needy county residents during the winter months.
My first job as a Veterinary Assistant was working for Dr. James Boatman, who founded Indian Springs Veterinary Clinic. I will be forever grateful for this first opportunity he gave me to work in a veterinary setting. I also got the opportunity to mentor under Dr. Brian Fenchak, V.M.D. for approximately six years, helping with spays and neuters at the Indiana Co. Humane Society as well as at his practice at Winterset Veterinary Hospital in Ebensburg, PA. This experience led me to the decision to return to college. This was a little frightening since I had been out of college for 11 years, having graduated from Penn State University with a BA in Communications, but I did get accepted into Indiana University of Pennsylvania for Biology/Pre-Veterinary. I knew that I would also need a flexible work schedule to be able to return to school as an adult, and as luck had it, I was offered a position as a Realtor for Putt Real Estate. For 5 1/2 years, I had the pleasure of helping many people buy and sell homes in and around Indiana County while I attended IUP. My clients were great to work with and understood my school schedule and supported me in my goal to continue working with animals. After taking my courses at IUP, I was accepted at The Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh where I graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology. I went on to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam and became licensed in Pennsylvania as a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT). I then started my application process to apply for graduate school. While waiting to find out about my acceptance, I worked as a CVT for a small animal clinic in Butler. I then decided to return to Indiana to open this business so that I can help even more pets and their owners. Currently I am a doctoral student enrolled with Kingdom College of Natural Health in the Doctor of Naturpathic Animal Science program.
Nutrition and its effect on our animal family members has been a passion of mine for over 20 years. While at the Indiana Co. Humane Society, I applied for a grant and was approved by Hills Science Diet for the shelter to receive better food for the dog and cats there. This was so important because changing the food that was fed to the animals every day via donations, was causing severe GI upset and diarrhea. We continued to accept any donated food and I started a program to donate the food to needy county residents during the winter months.
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I have studied pet nutrition for several years by taking classes, attending seminars and participating in workshops. My emphasis has been focused on better and more natural nutrition to help alleviate common issues in dogs, like ear infections, skin issues, GI upset and bladder/kidney issues. My husband and I have rescued older/sick dogs from ICHS and FFF with the focus on animals that had these very issues.
I have completed courses on Canine and Feline Nutrition and Weight Control with Purina. I am a certified Pet Food Nutrition Specialist and a Hills Veterinary Nutrition Advocate. |
Connie and her husband Eric with Casey, Isaac and Samantha
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About Crystal
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Crystal Collins, CPDT-KA is the only Certified Professional Dog Trainer in Indiana County and surrounding areas. She has an extensive background in animal care, sheltering and training. Her history includes working as Dog Kennel Manager at Indiana County Humane Society and Four Footed Friends, operating her own animal rescue for nearly a decade -- winning an award for her public service work -- and she has worked at a local vet practice and a local grooming and boarding facility along the way. She began her education in animal behavior to help her fosters with behavioral issues and lack of training become better prepared for their future homes, and it later turned into a career. She opened Dog Star Rising in 2012.
Along with her credentials from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Crystal is certified in Pet First Aid, an evaluator for the AKC's Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog programs, and is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and the Pet Professional Guild. Crystal currently shares her home with four dogs, seven cats, and some rats and bunnies! For a complete bio, see her website here. 
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About Michelle
Michelle Marshall, CCMT, ESMT
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Penny receiving a massage session to help her after being involved in a car-accident a month prior.
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Michelle is also a Certified Equine Massage Therapist and will travel to your barn or stable within Indiana County.
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Michelle Marshall, ESMT, CCMT, of Blessed Hands, LLC is certified through Equissage as an Equine Sports Massage Therapist and Certified Canine Massage Therapist.
Canine massage improves circulation, enhances muscle tone, increases range of motion, promotes the release of endorphins, promotes healing by increasing flow of nutrients in the muscles by carrying away excessive fluids and toxins and helps to maintain the body's better physical condition. A massage session for your dog can be especially helpful with pets who may have conditions such as cancer, limited mobility, anxiety, are show dogs, sport/hunting dogs, arthritic or have recently recovered from an injury.
Massage sessions for your dog are performed in a quiet and calm room at Bailey's Pet Well-Being with your pet being the only one here at the time. This reduces stress and helps them relax. Each session is an hour and you the owner has that hour to observe and relax as well while Michelle helps your dog benefit from a massage.
Michelle lives on her family farm in Indiana County with her husband, three horses, two dogs, and six cats. She is an active volunteer with Second Chance Equine Association (SCEA), a non-profit organization committed to the assistance of abused and neglected horses.
Canine massage improves circulation, enhances muscle tone, increases range of motion, promotes the release of endorphins, promotes healing by increasing flow of nutrients in the muscles by carrying away excessive fluids and toxins and helps to maintain the body's better physical condition. A massage session for your dog can be especially helpful with pets who may have conditions such as cancer, limited mobility, anxiety, are show dogs, sport/hunting dogs, arthritic or have recently recovered from an injury.
Massage sessions for your dog are performed in a quiet and calm room at Bailey's Pet Well-Being with your pet being the only one here at the time. This reduces stress and helps them relax. Each session is an hour and you the owner has that hour to observe and relax as well while Michelle helps your dog benefit from a massage.
Michelle lives on her family farm in Indiana County with her husband, three horses, two dogs, and six cats. She is an active volunteer with Second Chance Equine Association (SCEA), a non-profit organization committed to the assistance of abused and neglected horses.
