Alex Brooks Canine Center » Biographies

Greg Nelson

abrooks — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:02:53 +0000

Greg came to Alex Brooks’ thanks to an ad he found on Craigslist. A year later, his internet addiction came in handy, cuz if he hadn’t been surfing the web, he would never have found this position. Here, he is able to combine his customer service skills with his love for animals. Since a young age Greg has been surrounded by animals and always knew he wanted to work with them. After years of working for the local vet hospital, studying animal science at The University of Illinois-Urbana, and finding himself in positions that did not fit his skills or personality, he is glad to have found Alex Brooks’ Canine Center, and his dachshund Ozzie is glad he did too!
gnelson@absdt.com

Alex Brooks

mbrooks — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 19:07:59 +0000

Alex has been training dogs since the late 1970’s with an extensive background in all types of training. He has worked with local police canine units and has even trained narcotics dogs. For animal control, he does evaluations and has appeared in court as an expert witness. He also works closely with local animal shelters and rescue organizations doing volunteer work in training dogs so they are easier to place in a forever home. He trains dogs to help the physically challenged gain improved freedom, independence, and quality of life. His canine training expertise has gained the attention of many well known sport superstars including Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Tony Kukoc, Cliff Levingston, Maurice Douglas, Bobby Simmons, Antonio Davis and Jalen Rose, to name a few. Furthermore, Alex has been called to audition, and has supplied dogs for, MTV music videos, educational videos, and Home Alone 3. His expertise was sought out by The Paw Stop in New York City, were he spent many months working with them to improve their own training and behavioral program. Alex speaks at many dog training and behavioral seminars and is a frequent guest on the local cable show Contempo. He also incorporates his skill as a level l Reiki, or healer, into his behavioral techniques.

Marcy Brooks

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 19:07:09 +0000

Marcy Brooks has been working with dogs for over 21 years. She began training her family dog only to find what training methods she did NOT like. When she got her own dog she began researching trainers and found the method she liked best. She eventually quit her job and began working for the trainer. While with the trainer, she met her husband Alex Brooks. He had been working with the same trainer for many years and was perfecting his technique playing to his own natural talents and abilities. Together Marcy and Alex opened Alex Brooks School of Dog Training (now Alex Brooks Canine Center), in 1989. Marcy is a Certified Canine Specialist, certified in Pet CPR and First Aid, a Reiki Master, a AKC CGC Evaluator, and has been educated in the use of essential oils on pets. Marcy has three teenage children that keep her busy outside of work; her daughters Heather and Illana, and her son Colton. Marcy also spends her time with her Sphynx cat Fiona, her German Shepard Ruger, and her Frenchy Esme’.

Rick Hartke

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 18:23:37 +0000

Rick has been training dogs for over twenty years and specializes in obedience and behavioral training. Rick teaches retrieving, Canine Good Citizen class, off Leash, and classes for kids. Rick can also prepare owners and their dogs for American Kennel Club competitions such as Companion Dog, Companion Dog Excellent, or Conformation Show Ring. “All dogs need manners. It doesn’t make a difference if your dog is a Teacup Yorkie or an Irish Wolfhound,” he explains. Rick believes, “you need to have their respect and you should expect a lot from your dog.” Rick currently has three Newfoundlands and has shown dogs to AKC Championship and Obedience titles. His Newfoundlands have completed their draft and water work titles and are certified by Therapy Dogs International and have worked with autistic children. Rick is a Reiki Master and Myotherapist.
rhartke@absdt.com

Tiffnie Winters

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 18:15:18 +0000

Tiffinie’s passion for dogs led her to a career in professional grooming; she has been grooming dogs for the past nine years and is the owner of Tiffinie’s Midwest Grooming, located within the Alex Brooks Canine Center. She is the proud owner of a Kayla, the Pug, and Isabell, a rescued American Bulldog. She does not favor any particular breed or size and works with dogs of all shapes, color, sizes and ages. Her dedication to both human and canine clients ensures they find and maintain the best look possible; her dogs always end up looking dog-gone gorgeous! In her spare time Tiffnie takes care of her husband and two teenage sons.

Raymundo Nunez

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 18:14:45 +0000

Raymundo has been with Alex Brooks Canine Center since. His wife Celi started at the center when the new facility first opened. Celi enjoyed her job so much that she encouraged Raymundo to change his career and join the staff. Benefiting from his personal leadership skills, he quickly became Kennel Manager. Raymundo holds a certification in Pet First Aid and CPR from The Red Cross and trained in animal behavior by Alex and the Pet Care Technicians. Raymundo is the proud father of Toli, his beautiful daughter, and Kevin, his adorable son.
rnunez@absdt.com

Diane Smith

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 18:13:54 +0000

For as long as she can remember, Diane has loved dogs. It wasn’t until she was a teenager that her parents allowed her to own one and she has not been without at least one since. Diane’s first dog was a Sheppard mix. After she found out she could not show him in an American Kennel Club ring, she got Bandit, a German Shorthair Pointer. She took Bandit through obedience school and along with work in agility, tracking, and hunting, received the Companion Dog Excellence title from the AKC. When Diane completed grooming school, her love for dogs grew into a career; after outgrowing her home office, she opened Diane’s Dog Grooming, in Des Plaines, IL. After 26 years in the business, she holds a certification in trigger point therapy or Myotherapy and level II Reiki. She is also schooled in the use of essential oils and Kinesiology. Diane is currently a certified Veterinary Assistant.
dsmith@absdt.com

Brian Mestre

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 18:08:11 +0000

Brian Mestre never imagined he would revolve around training dogs! Brian graduated college with a degree in Psychology; he quickly found out that working in an office every day was not for him. He loved working with the children where he put his degree to work but decided to take a break and got a part time job at The Paw Stop where he met Alex. Alex had just come out to New York at the request of the owner of The Paw Stop to set up a training program. While watching Brian with the dogs, Alex quickly saw that Brian had a connection with the dogs that few others have and approached Brian with an opportunity to learn animal behavior and training with him. Brian spent 2007 working with Alex in New York and Chicago; he quickly fell in love with animal training and is now a full time trainer at The Paw Stop in New York.
bmestre@absdt.com