I can’t believe this will be the last of my Women’s Day Series posts… March 31st, 2025

Actually, I am not sure how much of an introduction she will need since from the very first phone call I have with a prospective client, Kristina’s book, The Stress Factor in Dogs, has always been my first recommendation! Not only is Dr. Spaulding an author and a sought-after speaker in the Dog World but she is hands-down the most gifted educator I have ever witnessed. In a time when there is so much animosity and derision, the learning community she has created is sincerely ONE OF A KIND. Kristina inspires me to be a better educator each and every day.

Meet Dr. Kristina Spaulding – Business Owner, Educator, and Dog Mom to Darwin and Finn 🎓

I’m a bit odd. I very clearly remember learning what a PhD was when I was in 3rd grade. I immediately decided that I wanted to get a PhD. After running my dog training business for several years, I went back to get my PhD with the intention of becoming a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. In graduate school, I started teaching undergraduate courses and completely fell in love with teaching. I also learned that there was so much incredibly valuable information that wasn’t making it to the dog training world. I knew many trainers and behavior consultants who were frustrated because they felt they had maxed out the available learning. They were eager to learn more. Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior was born from this convergence of events. It is an incredible opportunity for me to bring science to the field and enhance the lives of animals and professionals. I’m astonished and grateful every day that I get to do this work!

~ Kristina

Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB (she/her)
Owner and Educator
Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior LLC
www.sciencemattersllc.com

Continuing on with my Women’s Day series – I am so happy to get to share with you my client, a Trailblazer, Dog Mom of husky sisters, Leia and Loba, and honestly one of the sweetest 💕 people I have ever met…

Meet Yazmin Maillet – Co-Owner of Huskiesluckyrips Trading Cards

In December of last year, my fiancee and I started a business, “Huskiesluckyrips”. We sell trading cards on a live stream, as well as custom cards for pets or special occasions. Collecting trading cards is a male-dominated hobby. With that in mind, I started a community where everyone is treated with respect, and all different kinds of people feel comfortable talking about collecting and sharing their collections.

~ Yazmin

https://www.whatnot.com/s/45grhfsM

Continuing with my Women’s Day Series…

I feel privileged to have the opportunity to introduce and share with you Founder AND Innovator – Michelle Huie!

Originally from New York and now based in Missoula, MT, Michelle Huie launched her first woman-owned company, VIM & VIGR, in 2013 to address the demand for stylish, functional compression legwear. VIM & VIGR has been included on Inc. Magazine’s 5000 list of the Fastest Growing Companies as well as its Best Workplaces list. Over the last decade, VIM & VIGR has contributed over $250,000 in product to frontline healthcare professionals and nurses directly through the company’s annual scholarship program.In 2024, Michelle launched her second company, ShopDot Pet, the first retail solution that makes it possible for pet service-based businesses to build an online storefront and sell curated products to their customers without the inventory costs. ShopDot empower groomers, trainers, rescues and shelters to generate additional revenue by selling products that complement their services and mission. Michelle comes from a family of small business owners and is excited to help local businesses better serve their community by becoming a source of trusted and recommended products.

~ Michelle Huie

Founder, VIM & VIGR (www.vimvigr.com) stylish compression legwear
Founder & CEO, ShopDot Pet (www.shopdotpet.com) retail operation management software for pet service-based businesses

With Saturday, March 8th being International Women’s Day – this year, I decided to do something special to commemorate 🎊

Each week, I want to share with you a different woman business owner that I know – celebrating their individuality and contributions to the lives around them. A series of solidarity, because honestly, how do you contain the magic that women bring to just one day…

Meet Diane OKeefe – Co-founder and Co-owner of Ulti-Mutt, the ❤️ behind the business:

Ulti-Mutt started as a way to provide my own training clients with products that helped to meet pets’ needs better and on the pet parent side, be cost effective, easy to use and long lasting. Dave and I started the business about 4 years ago as restrictions were starting to loosen up from Covid. We started with just making our Snout Rollers- a slow feeder toy made of medical grade PVC that is adjustable to the difficulty level your pet needs. Originally they were just one offs Dave was making for me in our garage, but over time we started getting people asking where they could buy them. By focusing on improving the lives of dogs and standing by our products, instead of just selling cute stuff. We have built a community who trusts us and we take their feedback seriously. Our commitment is always to pets, but also to people. We believe all beings deserve to be treated with kindness and given what they need to thrive.

~ Diane

If interested, you can find her Snout-Rollers here:
https://inspirecanine.myshopdot.com/

Hi Paula, I know I will be seeing you on Saturday with Edith but wanted to give you a running report on her visit to the vets last night. I got there quite early ~4:15 for a 5pm appt. I waited in the car with her for a good while (15mins) to help her and her arousal level. I would say she was in orange when we arrived and was able to have her dunk some feet into Green/yellow. There were a lot going on outside the car and she was able to at least sit and just look. She was very good about waiting in the car once I opened her door, she let me change her leash patiently etc. She was also very patient about getting out of the car but the blacktop was hot and so I had to move her quite quickly to a shaded area. We stood there for 10mins and she was very good. She basically sat and watched her little world go by. She didn’t take any kibble from me but she was happy to sit. Once it was time for her appointment I went into the waiting room area where there was one other person with a cat. Edith was interested and pulled on her leash a little but no barking etc. She then sat by me until it was her turn.  She was very unsure about the scales but we took our time and she slowly walked on after following me. Once in the room I let her sniff everything. A dog was barking in the waiting room and she barked a couple of times and then she actually did OSR with me. She was very cautious with the Vet tech but I explained to her not to push Edith and to take everything slowly with her so we first put her on the table and let her have a sniff etc and did a little OSR although at this point I think she was genuinely scared. I let Edith know everything I was doing-“Up” “off”, “Help” etc. When the Vet came I again explained that we just needed to go slowly and inform Edith everything that we were doing. The vet was my old boss so she was very understanding. Edith was scared but slowly she relaxed. I had been practicing with Edith a lot at home with saying “eyes” when looking in her eye, “ears” “teeth” etc, etc. And after telling the vet, she let Edith know everything she was going to do, and you could physically see Edith relax slightly. She was such a good girl.  I am sooooooo proud of that little lady!!