Crystal Gerovac

Crystal's career didn't begin in dog mediation or dog training. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth & Environmental Sciences. She is from western New York, and she traveled around and lived in the western United States for several years. Some of her employment included an Interpretive Park Ranger with the National Park Service, a Museum Technician in a paleontology lab, and running a solar energy office as a manager and consultant.After she adopted her first Korean meat dog with trauma in 2015, she knew she needed to learn more about how to help her. This began her journey in dog behavior, dog learning and training. Crystal became a Certified Control Unleashed Instructor in 2020. Later that year, she co-presented the international conference, Leslie McDevitt's first ever Conference Unleashed, about how she uses Control Unleashed pattern games can help dogs with trauma and fear. The focus for the presentation was primarily on fearful, primitive dogs with trauma. Crystal then earned her certification in L.E.G.S. Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation from Kim Brophey at The Dog Door in February 2022. and became Licensed in Family Dog Mediation in both the Training and Shelter Divisions. Crystal is also an Accredited Dog Trainer with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). In 2022 Crystal co-presented at the first L.E.G.S. in Motion conference at Wolf Park in Indiana about fearful, primitive and World Dogs. And in 2023 Crystal spoke on a panel about rescue and shelter dogs at the second L.E.G.S. in Motion conference in Asheville, NC.Continuing education in animal behavior and keeping up with science and new research is very important. Crystal continues her education by taking professional courses in stress, emotions, resiliency, trauma, and fear. Some professional courses she has taken are L.E.G.S. Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation certification course by Kim Brophey, Slow Thinking is Lifesaving For Dogs (TM) by Laura Donaldson, Unlocking Resiliency from Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior by Kristina Spaulding, Free Ranging Dogs Master class and Dog Food master class from Marco Adda Academy, Play Way by Amy Cook, Canine Communication by Sindhoor Pangal, courses by Grisha Stewart Academy, among others. Crystal is a proud member of Fear Free Pets, Pet Professional Guild and Shock-Free Coalition, and has proudly taken the Shock Free pledge. She is certified in Canine and Feline CPR & First Aid through Pet Emergency Education. Crystal cofounded and maintains a few support groups for people living and working with dogs with fear, trauma and behavior issues. Crystal has helped many fosters and adopters across the United Staes and Canada with their dog meat farm rescues. Her knowledge of applied ethology and canine communication is reflected in her lessons and classes, where dogs and humans can work on communicative skills, understanding each other and building their relationship.Crystal works with dogs of all ages in group classes, virtual, private, in-home and her "out and about" lessons. For many years, her focus has been on dogs like hers from the dog meat trade from Asia, but she is also very experienced with puppy mill rescues, international rescues, free-ranging dogs and strays from the southern United States, dogs with trauma, and puppies. Though we may have goals for what we want to accomplish, the welfare of the dog is the most important thing in her mediation and training. As a graduate with honors of Unlocking Resiliency from Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior, she tailors her lesson plans to help each dog where they are now and focuses on building resiliency. When Crystal isn't working, she enjoys being with and working with her dogs and cat. She also enjoys hiking, traveling and singing in a local chorus.