Cheryl Swarts

Trainer/Behaviorist

 Cheryl Swarts 

"My passion and mission in life is to educate people about dogs and to help them sustain a positive, loving relationship with their dog."

Dog Behaviorist, Certified Guide Dog, Certified Therapy Dog, Certified Hearing Dog Trainer, Certified Kennel Management, Canine Good Citizen & S.T.A.R Puppy Evaluator 

 

Cheryl Swarts has over twenty years experience handling and training dogs. In January of 2008 Cheryl adopted a German Shepherd named "Scout."  He now weighs 93 lbs. and helps Cheryl in most of her training classes.  Cheryl also has two other dogs, her 9 year old female German Shepherd named “Roo” and Jordie is a 10 year old Golden/Lab mix.  He's been visiting nursing homes as a Therapy Dog since he was 6 months old.

 

Cheryl grew up with a small beagle/sheltie cross named "Snoopy." Also, she competed with her German Shepherd Dog "Jake" in obedience matches and took Highest Score and won various ribbons with Jake. Cheryl use to breed white German Shepherds and show in conformation in Canada.  She trained for other breeders for show and hunting dogs.

Cheryl has always had an interest in dogs and became interested in animal behavior when she worked on a horse farm in the Litchfield area. This prompted her to go to school. In 1989 Cheryl graduated from CT K-9 Academy in Newington, CT with a Certificate in Dog Training/Kennel Management.

She moved to North Dakota and started to work at Great Plains Assistance Dogs Foundation. Here she learned new ways of training and how to work with the physically challenged. She quickly proved herself and became the Director of Training and Placement. She trained many dogs for one or multiple people with diverse disabilities. In her spare time Cheryl belonged to the local horse club and competed in rodeo's. Also, she was active in helping the local young horseman compete.

In 1992, Cheryl wrote and Published "A Training Manuel For Fostering Assistance Puppies"©  Cheryl has worked with people with many different physical challenges. She promotes her expertise on training dogs for multiple disabilities.

Cheryl moved back to CT and trained Guide Dogs for the blind for 2 years at Fidelco Guide Dogs in Bloomfield, CT.

In the recent years has trained Public Dog Training Classes at Brookfield Animal Hospital in Brookfield, CT.