Trainers 

Carrie Kessler

Carrie Kessler

Carrie Kessler attended her first dog training class at age 10 and has engaged in continuing education in the field ever since.

Carrie began volunteering at the Little Rock Animal Services shelter in 2004, working with the dogs to make them more adoptable. In 2006, she began training her own dogs in agility, studying under Lisa Mantle, and in 2009, she began training dogs professionally, specializing in basic obedience and “family manners.”

Carrie has attended several dog training workshops, seminars and courses,  studying under Dr. Patricia McConnell, Dana Crevling, Pia Silvanti, Sue Sternberg, Jane Kopelman, Brenda Aloff and Steve Wilson to name a few.

In 2010, she completed the Instructor Training Course in New York offered by Dogs of Course.

In 2011, she attended a week-long course in Georgia for K-9 Nose Work and also attended the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference in San Diego, Calif.

She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is currently studying for my Professional Dog Trainer certification.  

“My training methods focus on positive reinforcement and honor each dog as an individual,” Carrie said.

In addition to her dog training interests, Carrie trained horses professionally from 1979 to 1986.

Carrie can be reached at carrie@lastchancearkansas.org.

Ashley Shoaf

Ashley Shoaf

Ashley Shoaf has been a certified dog trainer through the Animal Behavior College since Nov. 9, 2010, but she has been working with and training dogs since age 14. She became a certified veterinarian assistant on April 21, 2011, and will soon complete her dog grooming certification.

Ashley has worked with at least 50 different breeds of dogs and specializes in large breed dogs. Her area of specialty is household pet behavior and manners.

She also fosters unadoptable dogs for BoxAr and works with and trains those dogs until they become adoptable and can go to their forever homes.

Her other contributions to animal welfare efforts, include providing a free service of grooming for Ward and Cabot animal shelters to help make the dogs more presentable as they seek a forever home. She also donates services and products to adoption events that BoxAr and Cabot animal shelter hold throughout the year.

“I was trained and therefore, I train, according to the Animal Behavior College Policy of using positive reinforcement for good behavior and ignoring unwanted behavior,” Ashley said, in describing her training philosophy.

Ashley can be reached at 501-259-9378 or ashleysk9playground@hotmail.com.

Marsha Tonkinson

Marsha Tonkinson

Marsha Tonkinson has been a certified American Kennel Club, Canine Good Citizen & Puppy Star Trainer since February 2009.

Tonkinson works with Petco in Mountain Home and is involved with training and special events. She is a member of the North Arkansas Kennel Club, where she is active with her dog in agility classes and running courses.

Before moving to Arkansas, Tonkinson worked with a veteran dog trainer and volunteered in the Kingman, Ariz., shelter, where she trained dogs and worked with students. She also participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life/Bark for Life event. For nine years,   she taught hunter education courses for the Arizona Game & Fish Department.

She can be reached by e-mail at turkeyhunter.tonkinson@gmail.com  or by calling 870-492-2422 or 928-530-4605.

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