Jean-Paul Mills
Trainer
For as long as I can remember I have loved dogs. As a kid I kept a log of every dog I saw: age, breed and general condition I would note. My heroes were Gerald Durrell (whose books every animal lover should read), James Herriott and Jacques Cousteau. I was, of course, going to be a vet. Unfortunately I got my first major allergy attack visiting Holland's big annual dog show when I was thirteen, and after failed treatments a future career working with animals seemed out. Years later however, I found myself working on the Isle of Skye in Scotland with sheep. I lived there for five years. Part of my job was tending the flock of fifty breeding ewes, often working them with border collies, an amazing experience. Handling the hay was a mild form of torture, but my interest in animals had been keenly re-awakened.
After moving to the States I tried my hand at a few different jobs, none of which I could consider an option for a career. But from the first moment I saw a sign at PetSmart that said: "Do you want to become a dog trainer?" I have never looked back. I have now been a full time dog trainer since 2002, and with Jamie at the Dog School since 2005 where I am still learning more about dogs (and people) every day.
I was born in England, and have also lived in Malta, Holland, Scotland and (for a month) Hawaii. I have been in Vermont since 1995 minus two years in Flagstaff. I live in Burlington with my wife Beth, my kids Calliope and Max, our two cats, and often have dog friends stay with us as well.
After moving to the States I tried my hand at a few different jobs, none of which I could consider an option for a career. But from the first moment I saw a sign at PetSmart that said: "Do you want to become a dog trainer?" I have never looked back. I have now been a full time dog trainer since 2002, and with Jamie at the Dog School since 2005 where I am still learning more about dogs (and people) every day.
I was born in England, and have also lived in Malta, Holland, Scotland and (for a month) Hawaii. I have been in Vermont since 1995 minus two years in Flagstaff. I live in Burlington with my wife Beth, my kids Calliope and Max, our two cats, and often have dog friends stay with us as well.