Meet Tonia Whilden

Tonia Whilden is a certified Canine Behavior and Training Specialist.  Tonia has owned and trained dogs as a hobby for many years. She holds a B.A. Degree in English and a Master’s Degree in Teaching English.  She turned her hobby into a career when she decided to put her two greatest passions together, teaching and animals. In 2002, she attended Triple Crown Academy for Dog Trainers in greater Austin, Texas.   Triple Crown is hailed as the most comprehensive school for trainers in the nation.       
More about Tonia . . .
Tonia's Affiliations and Certifications

Meet Trisha Marino

From an early age Trish knew that animals would always be a part of her life.  There has never been a time where she hasn’t owned dogs, cats or other furry critters.  She even brought back Sam, a Maremmano (Italian herding dog) that she rescued from Italy, where she lived for two years.  Trish also shares her home with Jasmine, a feisty little cat who loves to shred bows.  Trish volunteered for the American Red Cross and was involved with a local animal rescue group while living overseas.  She holds a B.S. in Business Administration/Finance and Economics.  Trish is responsible for finance, marketing, and advertising at Houston Dog Ranch.  While Trish is a wiz with numbers, it is her love of animals that makes her a perfect fit in our family at Houston Dog Ranch.

Meet Colleen Dunlap

Colleen has a background in Finance and Accounting, which she studied at the University of Illinois. While living abroad in Holland and the United Kingdom for 5 years, she decided to re-direct her career to something she was passionate about – dogs! She went back to school in the UK and obtained an Advanced Diploma in Canine Behavior Management, and she trained dogs for several years in London while volunteering at the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Colleen rescued Ben, her Border Terrier, in 2004.

Colleen trains with positive training methods and believes in the importance of teaching owners practical approaches to training and living with their dogs. Her passion is clicker training, which constantly reminds her of how intelligent dogs are and the learning they are capable of when given prompt, positive feedback. Clicker training has taught Colleen that if the dogs aren’t learning something, it’s probably because we’re not teaching them properly!
Colleen's Affiliations and Certifications

Meet Kelvin Word

Kelvin Word is one of Houston Dog Ranch’s most versatile employees.  He is a bather, daycare assistant, office assistant and kennel technician.  Kelvin has a terrific presence with dogs.  The dogs at HDR love and respect him because they know that he loves and respects them.  Kelvin’s love of dogs began when he was little.  He remembers trying to rescue stray dogs and bring them home so he could take care of them.  Four years ago his love for animals put him on his path of caring for dogs.  Not only does he like to take care of other people’s dogs he loves to spoil his three dogs, Queen, Smokey, and Rico.  He plans to further his career in animal care by becoming a veterinary technician.  Kelvin believes that if dogs were not mans’ best friend then the world would be in ruins.

Meet Bub Madden

Bub Madden is a lifelong resident of the Houston area.  He graduated from Barbara Jordon High School in 2002 and attended Tomball College for two years.  His love of dogs launched him into a career with a pet resort in the Southwest Houston area where he worked for three years as a kennel technician, lead kennel technician and then a kennel supervisor.  Bub has a special bond with his best girl Annie, an 18-month old Pitbull Terrier who was found abandoned on a playground over a year ago.  Dogs of all breeds and personalities can attest to the fact that Bub has a real knack for connecting with them.  He currently holds a certification as a Level 1 ABKA Pet Care Technician.  Houston Dog Ranch is very fortunate to have Bub caring for and entertaining its many furry boarders and visitors.

Meet Chad Coffey

Chad worked as a kennel supervisor for more than a year at a Houston pet resort before joining the family at Houston Dog Ranch.  Chad has a special way with dogs and seems to build an instant rapport with each and everyone he meets.  He is certified by the ABKA as a Level 1 Pet Care Technician and has also volunteered with the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Commission.

Chad has a sincere love for animals and currently shares his home with four dogs – Bandit, Chatanooga, Snowshoes, and Sycamore, as well as a cat named Baby Brownie.

Meet Beauregard

Beauregard is a Bloodhound/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix and everyone agrees he has the best qualities of both breeds.  He stops people in their tracks everywhere he goes.  Beauregard is a real life success story and a constant reminder of the awesome power of the dog’s spirit. To his owner he is an inspiration and a teacher of all things dog.  She is grateful for his patience, which teaches her patience, and his desire to learn, which inspires her to learn. Beau's Story . . .