Trainer Bios
Jenn Gavin (She/Her)
founder + head trainer
Jenn Gavin, CPDT-KA, FPPE is the owner and founding trainer at A Pleasant Dog. She has been rescuing and training dogs for over twenty-eight years. For the last ten years, Jenn has focused her practice on anxious and aggressive animals, and has become one of the most trusted trainers working with anxious and aggressive animals in our state. Jenn works extensively with clients, veterinarians and veterinary behaviorists throughout the country. She also consults with cases in other countries.
Jenn is passionate about learning and sharing what she has learned. She presents frequently to the training and veterinary communities. She has conducted research in animal behavior, and that research has been selected for presentation at the Veterinary Behavior Symposium by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. Jenn has also been an invited speaker before the West Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, The Science of Animal Behavior Conference, West Michigan Therapy Dogs, and others. She has spoken on a variety of topics including "Helping Fearful & Aggressive Animals - It Takes A Village", with Kathy Sdao and Dr. Jill Sackman, DACVB; "Risky Business - Assessing and Managing Risk in Aggression Cases"; "How to Choose A Trainer" with Dr. Jill Sackman, DACVB; "Covid Puppies"; "Body Language and Therapy Dogs"; “THE USE OF SSRI’S AND CLONIDINE IN THE TREATMENT OF HYPERAROUSAL BEHAVIOR IN DOGS”; “OUTCOMES AND SIDE EFFECTS OF BEHAVIOR MEDICATIONS IN YOUNG DOGS” and more.
Jenn is a licensed Family Paws Parent Educator! She adores working with families and their dogs. In her free time, Jenn enjoys camping and hiking with her family and their dogs. She has a thing for old houses and served on the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission from 2017-2021.
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Lindsay Carlson (She/Her)
CPDT-KA trainer + practice manager
Lindsay graduated from Central Michigan University in 2009 with her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Biology. In her degree program, Lindsay studied animal learning and volunteered in a rat and pigeon behavior laboratory, deepening her interest in and knowledge of learning and behavior. After graduation, Lindsay worked in the veterinary field for a few years before leaving to pursue education, working as a special education paraprofessional and as an elementary teacher. When an opportunity to work with canine and human learners presented itself, Lindsay jumped at the opportunity!
Lindsay is so excited to be at A Pleasant Dog teaching dogs and their human handlers and is eager to help people deepen their relationship, communication with, and understanding of their canine companions. Lindsay obtained her CPDT-KA certification and completed her Family Paws license and loves supporting people and their pets! In addition to working on our training team Lindsay also coordinates our human team and heads up our internship program.
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Virginia Brophy (She/Her)
CPDT-KA trainer & akc evaluator
Gin has a diverse background, but when she adopted her first dog, she discovered her passion and has been training ever since. She has a passion for shaping and confidence building, and loves watching for that moment when it just clicks and the dog starts to figure out what they are learning! Some of her favorite training areas include puppy socialization, leash walking, counter surfing, and dog sports. Her mission as a trainer is to build trust and connection between dog and handler teams, and helping people learn how to have fun with their dogs!
Gin shares her home with her three dogs - Charlotte & Ferris, a pair of mother & son rescue terrier mixes, and Rizzo, a longhaired miniature dachshund. Rizzo is actively competing in agility, nosework, musical freestyle, and rally obedience, has her AKC Advanced Trick Dog title; she also enjoys dog parkour and shed hunting practice. Ferris holds his Canine Good Citizen title (CGC) and has an extensive list of sport titles including rally obedience, lure coursing, trick training, barn hunt, musical freestyle, and agility. Ferris has also dabbled in flyball, tracking, and disc, and is currently enjoying nosework and musical freestyle in his retirement from agility. Charlotte is a sensitive girl who was living on the streets when she came into rescue, in labor with Ferris and his 8 littermates. She is working on her first trick title from the comfort and safety of her home.
Gin holds several certifications including her CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer), AKC Evaluator, CTDI (Certified Trick Dog Instructor), and is the second IDPKA (International Dog Parkour Association) certified instructor in the state of Michigan.
In her free time Gin enjoys many hobbies including training and competing with her dogs, watercolor painting, yoga, and bird watching.