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 Kathy Santo’s love of dogs started at an early age. By the time she was in her late teens, she was training and competing nationally in obedience trials with her golden retriever “Opal.” Within two years, she had risen to the top of the sport, winning national tournaments and regularly topping the annual rating systems and teaching competitive students across the U.S. and Canada.
Eventually, the trophies and ribbons felt hollow, and she decided to focus her training talents on making a difference in the lives of dogs and their families. By changing her training school from competitive to basic “home” obedience, Kathy knew she could greatly reduce the number of dogs that were placed in shelters because of easily fixable behavior issues.
Teaming up with a shelter in South Florida, Kathy volunteered her time temperament testing dogs before they were put up for adoption and started a therapy dog program for local nursing homes. In return, the shelter agreed to let her use their parking lot for her basic obedience programs, which would be free to adopted dogs. For the next ten years, that parking lot grew from five dogs a week to the 100 she sees now.
After moving to New Jersey, Kathy wanted to continue offering dog training, but also loved the idea of being a stay at home “working” mom. Her husband, a chiropractor, had his office in their home, and if it worked for him, then she felt it could work for her, too. The minute she envisioned training dogs at her home, the calls started pouring in.
By her one year anniversary of moving back to New Jersey, her student list had grown to well over the 100 dogs a week mark, strictly by word of mouth. Her children frequently attend classes with their own dogs or assist in beginner classes.
Recently, she started a program called Paws Four Autism for children with autism. By utilizing basic obedience and agility commands, Kathy found that she could create a relationship and bond between a child and his dog, where previously there had been none. She envisions this program as becoming worldwide, pairing the talents of dog trainers with families of children with autism. Kathy developed the program with The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation and the program is funded in part by a grant from the foundation.
In 2006, tired of recommending products that were “almost effective,” and wanting to combine her family’s holistic lifestyle into a line of effective behavioral aids, she created Kathy Santo Everyday Pets.
Kathy, along with her team, came up with a line of products using the finest natural and organic ingredients. That means that the products are effective, and not only safe for people and their pets, but for the earth as well. Used in conjunction with a training/behavioral modification program, these products can help families achieve the happy and healthy relationship they’ve always wanted with their dogs.
Continually looking for ways to enhance the well-being of dogs, in 2009, Kathy improved her product formulas. They use the same all natural and organic ingredients, only they are now more effective. Good things are happening at Kathy Santo Everyday Pets and Kathy looks forward to expanding her line of products to further aid you and your dog. |
