Terri Klimek - Staff Trainer
Terri Klimek is a life-long Chicago area resident who always had a shelter/rescue dog (or two) in her life since her first puppy at age 10. While volunteering for a rescue group, Terri came to the realize that many of the dogs thatcame into rescue did not have very good manners, and in some instances the owners were at a loss as to how todeal with the problem behaviors that many of these dogs displayed. After spending more than 30 years working in the corporate/legal environment, Terri wanted to make a vocational change. While trying to decide how shecould make a difference, she came to the conclusion that dog training fit well with her life, and that she couldmake a difference by helping owners and their companions stay together.
Terri started her association with AnimalSense in 2003 as a client in an effort to find a way to make life better for her overly anxious rescued golden George. Terri began an internship with AnimalSense in the fall of 2003,observing and assisting in a variety of classes. While interning, she successfully completed the 2004 Purdue University’s “DOGS” program and passed its certification examination for Principles and Techniques of BehaviorModification. Terri is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and to keep up with the what is new intraining, attends education conferences, seminars and courses during the year.
The primary focus for Terri is private in-home training. She enjoys working with clients and coming up with solutions to problems they may be encountering in an effort to enrich their relationships with their canine companions. Terri believes in the use of positive reinforcement methods of training for all areas of the life of a dog, and helps clients use it for puppy training, basic manners, addressing nuisance behaviors (jumping, barking, chewing, etc.), as well as using behavior modification for problem canine behaviors (separation anxiety, leash reactivity, fearful behaviors, etc.). Terri teaches classes occasionally, and you might see her teaching some puppy classes, Fido Foundations, Agility, or Small Dog Play & Train.
Terri is actively involved as a volunteer with As Good As Gold Golden Retriever Rescue of Northern Illinois, Inc. “AGaG”). Terri is a past member of the Board of Direction and served as its first Education Coordinator. She urrently supports AGaG in a variety of areas including, temperament testing dogs for intake into the program,education, fundraising, transport, and occasionally fostering when an emergency comes up. Terri and her husband Paul make Westchester their home and share it with their rescued goldens Keily & Stitch.
When possible, they enjoy traveling to Door County with the pups, checking out antique stores, going to Kane ounty Flea Market in the summer, listening to music, and spending time with their friends.