William and Catherine Zehner launched the first DogSmith enterprise in July 2008 after coming to the realization that pets – and particularly dogs – have the power to change lives.
The Zehners adopted a German Shorthaired Pointer, Colter, in 2005 and quickly became involved in pet-assisted therapy work through Delta Society and Therapy Dogs Internations. Colter currently holds several American Kennel Club titles including Canine Good Citizen, Companion Dog and Rally Novice. He still competes, alongside the Zehners' newest family addition -- a red Australian Cattle Dog named Rory who they rescued in January 2009.
In addition to being the Panhandle’s DogSmith, Catherine also serves as the Marketing Director for the Humane Society of Bay County, Fla., the area’s only no-kill shelter. She has been showing dogs for more than 20 years, starting as a junior handler in her home state of Massachusetts where her family raised and showed Norwegian Elkhounds. She also also has a background in equine training and competition, learning to ride at age 10 and competing in equitation and show jumping. By age 14, she was employed in a private barn training Swedish and Irish warmbloods for show jumping and three-day eventing.
Catherine earned a B.A. in English with a concentration in speech communication and a minor in journalism from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn. William and Catherine have two children – Kathryn and Zachary – and race sailboats in their free time. They also have two cats – a grey tabby named Earl and black long-haired cat named Vincent.
The DogSmith - professional dog training and pet care