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Crystal Gerovac, B.S., ADT, CCUI, L-FDM-S,T

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Meet Crystal

Crystal’s career didn’t begin in dog mediation or dog training. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth & Environmental Sciences. She is from western New York but she lived in the western United States for several years. Some of her employment includes: an Interpretive Park Ranger with the National Park Service, a Museum Technician in a paleontology lab and running a solar energy office as a manager and consultant.

After she adopted her first South Korean "meat dog" with trauma in 2015, she knew she needed to learn more about how to help her. This began her journey in dog behavior, dog communication and training. 

Crystal works with dogs of all ages. For many years, her focus has been on fearful dogs or dogs with trauma from international places, puppy mills, and "strays" from the southern United States. She also works with puppies and senior dogs. Though we have goals for what we want to accomplish, the welfare of the dog is the most important thing in her mediation and training. She tailors her sessions to help each dog where they are now. When Crystal isn’t working, she enjoys being with her loved ones, hiking, traveling and singing in a local chorus. 

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Accreditations: 

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Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI), 2020.

Licensed and Certified Family Dog Mediator, (LFDM-S,T), 2022.

Accredited Dog Trainer (ADT) with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), 2021.

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​Presentations:

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Co-presented the international conference, Leslie McDevitt’s first ever Conference Unleashed.

Co-presented at the first L.E.G.S. In Motion Conference, 2022 at Wolf Park.

Panel discussion at the second L.E.G.S. In Motion Conference about dogs in shelters, 2023 in Asheville, NC.

Co-presented at Canisius College in Animal Behavior study program, 2024, in Buffalo, NY.

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Courses:

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Crystal continues her education by taking professional courses in stress, emotions, resiliency, and trauma. 

Some professional courses she has taken:

L.E.G.S. Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation by Kim Brophey

Slow Thinking is Lifesaving For Dogs (TM) by Laura Donaldson

Unlocking Resiliency, graduated with honors, by Kristina Spaulding. 

Free Ranging Dogs Master class and Dog Food master class from Marco Adda Academy.

Play Way by Dr. Amy Cook.

Canine Communication by Sindhoor Pangal.

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Ethics:

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No force. No pain. No fear. 

Crystal focuses on ethics and integrity. The welfare of your animal is most important. Her behavior modification is only done with ethical and nontraditional training methods. She is a proud member of Fear Free Pets, Pet Professional Guild and Shock-Free Coalition. Crystal has helped many people with their international rescue dogs. Her knowledge of applied ethology and canine communication is reflected in her sessions, helping humans and their dogs with communication, connection and confidence.

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Why Work With Affinity?

 

So many of us have adopted rescue dogs who can take a long time to feel comfortable in their new home. They can often show fear of people, other dogs, novel items, the car, walking through doorways, etc. Sometimes our home's environment itself and ways we show our affection to our dogs can actually make them feel nervous or frightened. Most puppies go through fearful stages as they grow. Some of the people and dogs that we have been able to help have trauma and fear. Some examples include dogs rescued from meat farms in South Korea, other international rescues, puppy mill rescues, fee-ranging southern U.S. "strays", and adopted rescue and shelter dogs. 

 

There is no quick or easy "fix" for fear and/or trauma. Every dog is different. If you work with us, we can help you understand the emotions that may drive your dog's behavior, and ways to promote positive experiences and emotions that can help your dog feel better. We will teach you ways to help build communication between you and your dog, that can help your dog to feel safe and supported. We will create a lesson plan specifically for you and your dog try to bridge the gap in communication and understanding each other. This will help to build trust and a better bond between you and your dog. We teach and train using positive reinforcement and are force-free. We do not promote using aversive training methods, painful tools for corrections or scare tactics to get results. You cannot build confidence using those things. Our philosophy is that training should always be ethical, science-based and a fun learning experience with the dog's welfare in mind.  We do not believe any dog needs a heavy hand or painful corrections. Our three Cs in any relationship with our animals are connection, communication and confidence! 

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Though we are very experienced with fear and trauma, we have lessons and classes for all stages of puppyhood and through adulthood. As we go through life and grow with our dogs, there is always something new and fun to learn! Whether you are looking for something specific like helping your fearful or reactive dog, help with a certain issue, raising a puppy, just brought home a new rescue dog, or you are just looking to do something fun and build a better relationship with your dog, we have a place for you! ​​

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