Today we’d like to introduce you to Cathy Dorchuck.
Cathy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Four years ago, I found myself by learning to train dogs… While I was training dogs behind the glass in a big pet store, I kept being asked about service dogs and there wasn’t a resource in the Clear Lake area. “A Pawsitive Approach Dog Training” was created to be the provider of medical alert service dogs. Diabetic Alert Dogs are a very personal project for me. My precious mother, Rosie, had Type 2 and had numerous complications from the disease.
When APADT was formed, it was important to utilize a breed of dog that would be loving and loyal yet hypoallergenic. Lake Country Labradoodles became the breeder of choice because of the amazing temperament and coat quality of the puppies. We also utilize the Chillbrook Kennels line of Labrador Retriever which has been bred and designed for medical scent work.
Has it been a smooth road?
My first attempt at providing a service dog to a needy child was a huge flop. We had purchased a labradoodle for a specific purpose and the child wasn’t a suitable candidate.
The second family that was considered for this puppy wasn’t successful either. I lost confidence in my abilities as a trainer and questioned God’s plan for me and my path. I quietly heard him say “You are destined to help others” while praying one night. Within a short time, a suitable family had inquired about a seizure alert dog. God has a plan for my life and I am living it with HIS help.
A short time after that, I decided to enrich my education by attending Service Dog Academy and the Debby Kay Super Sniffer Course to become certified in Diabetic Alert Dogs. In April 2017, I attended the InSitu Foundation’s Bio-Medical Certification class where I discovered that dogs are capable of detecting cancer at stage zero. Dogs are both scientific and specific when testing for cancer, a feat that is impossible with modern technology. My dream is to find an oncologist who is willing to do a clinical trial here in the Houston area.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the A Pawsitive Approach Dog Training story. Tell us more about the business.
A Pawsitive Approach Dog Training teaches people how to have meaningful and lasting relationships with their dogs by creating a loving and healthy way of interacting. We specialize in medical alert service dog training. My areas of expertise include Diabetes, Epilepsy, Autism, PTSD and Psychiatric Service Dogs.
Recently, we have begun placing program dogs within school districts so that any child can receive animal assisted therapy. Barbers Hill ISD currently has Kona, a labradoodle who will be utilized by the FFA department.
APADT is special because it is a small family business. We treat all of our clients like they are an extension of our family. We guarantee our work and go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction. Our trainers continually update their education by attending conferences and required seminars.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I would hope that we are moving to a place of acceptance with service dogs. More and more I am seeing business be more inclusive for my clients which is wonderful to experience.
Pricing:
- Our dogs are approximately 10-15 thousand dollars depending on the disability. insurance does not cover the cost.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4107 Twin Drive East,
Santa Fe, TX 77510 - Website: www.apawsitiveapproachtraining.com
- Phone: 281-450-1953
- Email: cdorchuck@comcast.net
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