Stephanie Zablah-Kruger (Owner)
KPA-CTP, Low Stress Handling Certified, Fear Free Certified Elite
My name is Stephanie, and I am a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner with 14 years of experience working in the veterinary field. I have a bachelor's degree in Animal Biology from the University of California, Davis, accreditations in low-stress handling, Fear Free, and more. I love to learn and go to training, veterinary, and behavior conferences to stay up to date on the most current information on training methods, anxiety, and aggression.
I specialize in helping pets with anxiety and aggression during vet visits, and I love teaching owners how to help their pets gain confidence in previously frightening environments.
Few people know this about me, but I completed a zookeeper mentorship program at the Oakland Zoo many years ago. I was fortunate to work with the lions, tigers, camels, bison, and tule elk. I trained the camels to get used to radiology equipment and stay stationary in certain positions so the veterinary staff could take X-rays with as little stress as possible.
I am a passionate, patient, dedicated, and persistent pet-lover. I use scientific-based training methods to help unlock the potential of your pet and succeed. Whether you're thinking about getting a new pet, have a new pet, or already own a pet with behavioral problems, I am here to help. So, let's get started!
Service Area
Service area includes: El Sobrante, Pinole, Hercules, Rodeo, San Pablo, Martinez, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, and Lafayette
Services requested outside of my service area will have to be conducted virtually via Zoom. Please contact me for more details.
Stephanie's Credentials:
We keep learning so we can better serve you and your pet with the best and up-to-date training solutions.
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPACTP)
Why choose a KPACTP? Because all dogs deserve great trainers. Each KPACTP is a graduate of the dog trainer professional program, a program you can only pass after demonstrating excellent hands-on and technical skills in positive training and teaching. Each KPACTP signs a pledge to teach and train using force- free principles and to help build a relationship based on trust, respect and understanding.
Low Stress Handling Certified (Silver)
As a certified professional, I have been able to gain additional knowledge on ways to handle pets in a kind, considerate and caring manner. This certification helped me greatly in the veterinary field and gave me many alternative tools to comfortably handle patients while performing diagnostic procedures.
Fear Free Certified Elite
The Fear Free certification helped me take the pet out of "petrified", and put the treat back into "treatment!" Fear Free has helped me understand how animals perceive the environment and utilize that knowledge to help animals feel safe when medical treatments or procedures need to be performed. Fear Free has helped countless veterinary professionals become more aware of their patients surroundings and minimize stress with every step of the visit.
Meet Stephanie's Gang
From left to right starting at the top: Sheldon, who is my couch potato dog and LOVES nothing more than sitting on your lap. Achillies is my senior cat who loves figuring out puzzles. Captain Jack is my senior Leopard Gecko who loves sunbathing!
