Some Letters of Reference

N.F. Letter

After arriving home with our newly adopted bulldog Herschel, we realized that bringing a rather quirky rescued seven year old dog into our family would be a little more difficult than we originally anticipated. Luckily we were referred to Mary Jo Stabinski-Heckman of Paws 4 Thought who has made a world of difference in our lives. Not only did Herschel completely lack obedience skills, name recognition, and basic manners, but he was also suffering from an acute double ear infection and could not even be groomed or medicated. We later learned Herschel had spent most of his life in his former owner’s basement and was badly socialized towards people and other dogs.

Mary Jo helped us transform this fearful dog into a loving member of our family using positive reinforcement techniques based on her experience as a canine behaviorist. Herschel now hops in and out of the bathtub on command and is very happy to do almost anything that is asked of him, including medicating his ears and cleaning them with a q-tip; a feat I would have thought impossible after our early wrestling matches on the floor.

I feel the most valuable thing we have learned from Mary Jo is how to understand why our bulldog acts the way he does and how to modify that behavior in a positive way. As novice dog owners, she has been there for us every step of the way when new issues have come to light and has always gone out of her way to make herself available when we have had no where else to turn. Most importantly of all, she has enabled us to keep a dog we dearly love instead of placing him back into rescue where his story might not have had such a happy ending.

We are looking forward to Mary Jo’s continued support when we are ready for our next bulldog – a puppy we hope to train to be a therapy dog and all around well behaved boy. I would highly recommend Mary Jo for anyone who wants to correct problem behavior or simply understand their dog a little better. There is simply no substitute for her hands on approach for helping you to help your dog.

K.F.G. Thank-You

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Dear M.J.,

I'm writing to say thank you for all of the help you've provided to me and my dogs. Your knowledge and willingness to assist in most any situation has been a godsend! You helped me to introduce a second dog into our home by showing me how to address issues of "jealousy", resource-guarding, and more.

Your assistance in helping with dogs I've fostered for HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue has been invaluable, with house-training and other issues commonly found in rescue dogs.

Thanks again! Kara Gordon

www.HeavenSentBulldogRescue.com If you know of an English Bulldog in need of rescue, visit our website or send us an email at hsrescue@aol.com.

"Help Save a Bulldog - they're adora-BULL!"

Note from H.T.

Dear Mary Jo, Just a quick note to let you know what a wonderful behavior consultation that you gave to our Shiba Inu puppy Maya, L. and I. The advice that you gave has enabled all of us to communicate in a much more positive and effective manner. We would be more than happy to serve as a reference for you to any future prospective clients. Best Regards, H.T.

P.M. Letter

Hi Mary Jo, wanted to let you know that Osi made a good recovery from the scary incident of the ladder falling last Saturday; I crated him as you suggested, and the next day he was fine again. Also, I took him to a friend's house for dinner last night; there were two people new to him, and he did very very well throughout the evening; he was sociable, playful and interested in everything that was happening, and I didn't see any anxiety at all.

So I want to thank you for setting me on the right track with him; he has come 180 degrees round in his behavior; and the positive behavior changes were clearly visible within 48 hours of your last visit. He is still not in love with (edited) one of my friends (end edit), but he's dramatically more relaxed in his presence, and has actually been willing to play with him a few times. Even Osi's walks on the street are much better, he is holding his head up and looking around him with interest and appears much more confident. And I'm keeping chicken on hand, you can bet on that!

Thank you again -- I will refer your name with enthusiasm any time I have a chance.

Pauline Monson

K.L. Letter 2/2008

I truly appreciate your help ... and friendship! It would be my pleasure and honor to refer everyone to you. I have appreciated your input far more than you will ever know! And, of course, Baloo is my walking testimonial.

Thanks to the insights you shared with me, I have become significantly more aware and attentive of Baloo and the messages he relays, which has made a big ... no huge ... difference in how we navigate our world together.

Thank you for your guidance and patience; it has lessened the stress and anxiety in our lives. Not only that, I must speak for Baloo here, thanking you for his little chicken breast bits. He is quite enamored of this reinforcement during the day and seems to take great pride in meeting my gaze. He likes finding them on his bed, too. I know we have a way to go yet, but at least we can enjoy every day ... just as we are.

Enjoy life at every level ... and we look forward to seeing you again soon.