Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Packin.
Hi Nicole, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Nicole’s career working with animals began in Los Angeles, California. After graduating from the University of Miami with a BS in Communication, Nicole moved to the West Coast to pursue a television career. While working for William Morris Endeavor (formerly known as William Morris Agency), Spelling Television, and Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Nicole began volunteering for The Amanda Foundation, an animal welfare organization. Finding her work with dogs a life changer, Nicole moved back to Miami, Florida, intending to learn all she could about animal welfare in her hometown. Immediately, Nicole began working for the Humane Society of Greater Miami. She was involved in all aspects of the organization’s operations and fundraising and helped lead the capital campaign for the organization’s Soffer-Fine Adoption Center in North Miami Beach, Florida.
Then, in 2007, Nicole founded Miami Pet Concierge. After years of working in and around the animal shelter system, she learned that one of the number one reasons pets were being given up or returned was “time,” or lack thereof. So, with this knowledge, Nicole started a business to help pet owners become great pet parents. With just a little guidance, education, and support, Nicole has had the opportunity to work hand and paw with thousands of unique, domesticated animals and their families, caring for and teaching them how to cohabitate peacefully. Today, Miami Pet Concierge is Miami, Florida’s most trusted and respected in-home pet care provider. When Nicole and her family relocated to Plano, Texas, in 2021, she knew she would open a second business combining her passion for pet care and her love of canine wellness. With over 20 years of experience working with dogs, Nicole observed a reoccurring phenomenon – dogs whose brains and bodies weren’t worked out equally were likely to suffer from behavioral issues, primarily due to boredom. Especially older dogs have mobility issues, working dogs do not receive adequate or proper exercise, and young dogs still maturing. With this knowledge, Nicole opened The Packin Method, a climate-controlled canine mobile gym, and created a wellness plan that combines Treadmill Workouts, Canine Massage Therapy, Canine Fitness & Bodywork, and Dog Walks to better the mental, emotional, and physical health of dogs. Nicole is married and is the proud momma to Slater (Russian Blue mix), Kevin & Jenny (Spinone Italiano’s – pictured right).
Education & Training:
Master’s Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior (UW-AAB) from the University of Washington
Bachelors in Communication from the University of Miami
Certificate in Canine Fitness Training (CCFT) from Fenzi Dog Academy (pending graduation in Winter 2022)
Certificate in Small Animal Massage (SAMP) in Maintenance, Performance, and Rehabilitation from Northwest School of Animal Massage (NWSAM)
Certificate in Myofascial Release Therapy (MFRT), Trigger Point Therapy (TPT), and Stress Point Therapy (SPT) from NWSAM
Certificate in Myofascial Release Therapy (MFRT), Trigger Point Therapy (TPT), and Stress Point Therapy (SPT) from NWSAM
Certificate in Canine Water Therapy from La Paw Spa – Levels One and Two of Heart of Canine Aquatics Training Programs
Certified Fear Free Professional
Certified in Pet CPR & First Aid from ProPetHero
Volunteer Work: When not running both Miami Pet Concierge, The Packin Method, and the Packin household, Nicole is an active volunteer with Canine Companions for Independence.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The challenge for me was starting a new business, in a new city, after only living here for six months. Having left Miami, Florida, and now run my other company, Miami Pet Concierge, remotely, I intended to add the services The Packin Method offers to the menu of services my other business offers. When COVID-19 hit and things closed down, I had to put off purchasing a van to go mobile. By the time Miami Pet Concierge was back up and running, and I was ready to look for a van, there were no vans to be had. The average wait time to purchase a van was over two years. Post-COVID, everyone wanted to go mobile. When my husband and I relocated to the Plano area, I decided I’d launch The Packin Method here. However, I knew it would be back to the drawing board without the relationships I had built over the years in Miami and the built-in client. Luckily, the local community has been very positive about my services and supports my mission. It also helps that Texas kindness and hospitality are the real deal!
We’ve been impressed with The Packin Method, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Packin Method is a climate-controlled mobile canine gym offering a series of activities on which Founder and CEO Nicole Packin built her business around. With over 20 years under her belt working with dogs, Nicole has learned that providing both physical and mental enrichment allows dogs to learn how to lower their stress levels, ward off boredom, curb unwanted behaviors and keep them happy and healthy. Combining four different customizable services aids in the balance and enrichment of dogs’ lives and eliminates common negative behaviors brought on by pent-up energy and boredom. To better understand the Packin Method and explain the four services and their importance, you first need to know why mental enrichment and physical exercise work hand in hand. There’s a saying, “a tired dog is a good dog,” but to many, that implies when they are tired from physical activity. But what about a dog’s mental well-being? Most pet parents have never considered this aspect of their dog’s life, and for many dogs, when their brains aren’t exercised too, they become bored, and this is when they often get themselves into the most trouble. That’s where The Packing Method comes in.
The Importance of Mental Stimulation for Dogs
Dogs are intelligent and are always thinking. Their brains go a mile a minute thinking of the next thing to do, play with, get into, smell, eat, look at – you get the picture. Therefore, incorporating metal enrichment into a dog’s life will enhance its overall well-being, help them engage in natural behaviors, build its confidence, and often give them a feeling of accomplishment. There are many ways to “work out” your dog’s brain, including
• Provide them with plenty of toys, including interactive toys and puzzle games.
• Change up the path for their dog walks regularly.
• Allow for safe social contact with other dogs, people, and animals.
• Expose them to as many outdoor elements as possible such as different sounds, smells, and sites.
• Get them involved in agility, nose work, barn hunts, or other canine sports.
• Give them a job such as fetching paper, opening a cabinet, or carrying a grocery bag.
• Offer them different exercise options such as treadmill workouts, hiking, and swimming.
The Importance of Physical Activity for Dogs
No matter the breed, dogs were bred to fulfill specific duties. Though most do not perform their ancestors’ jobs, they still require daily physical activity to keep them active and healthy. Physical activity provides many benefits to dogs, including
• Improves their cardiovascular system
• Lowers blood pressure
• Helps keep muscles and bones strong
• Decreases stress and anxiety
• Eliminates boredom
• Reduces behavioral problems
• Maintains weight or helps with weight loss
• Keeps them limber and lubricated, improving circulation to their joints
• Allows for regular elimination
• Supports active and productive digestion
• Aids with sleep and relaxation
How Does the Packin Method Provide Mental and Physical Benefits to Dogs? We provide a series of four services, including Treadmill Workouts, Canine Massage Therapy, Canine Fitness & Bodywork, and Dog Walks that, when combined, offer a variety of activities that will utilize a dog’s brain and body. As a result, when a dog is mentally and physically tired, they are balanced, and a balanced dog has proven to be happier.
The Services
Treadmill Workouts
Treadmill workouts are performed on a treadmill for dogs to improve their overall physical and mental health. The benefits are vast, from physical fitness, mental clarity, and rehabilitation to enhancing strength and stamina, preventing obesity, aiding weight loss, and providing mental stimulation and behavior modification. The non-motorized equipment allows the dog to move at its own pace. So, when the dog increases their speed or slows down, the treadmill will speed up or slow down with them. Used most commonly for physical benefits, treadmills also offer mental benefits, which most pet parents don’t realize. A dog has a learning curve when placed on a treadmill. What is the device they were placed on, how does their body move, and why are they on it? However, once a dog connects the dots, it will often set its own pace and enjoy the freedom to run. Working through this process helps a dog build their confidence and gain a feeling of achievement. Dogs will continue to grow with each workout, boosting positive behavior and coping skills.
Canine Massage Therapy
Canine Massage is a holistic, hands-on therapy that manipulates the body’s soft tissue structures to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasms, and stress. This branch of massage therapy, like a massage for people, promotes canine health. It is an alternative therapy form that may include relaxation, increased oxygenation, relief from pain, improved joint flexibility, and various benefits to the immune system. Canine Massage is a complementary therapy to other exercise and physical therapy forms. The effects of massage are not just on the muscular system but all body systems. Although massage offers many physical benefits, mental benefits are just as important. Massage is a different type of touch and handling than most dogs are accustomed to. Dogs often need to learn how to get out of their head and stop thinking about “what is going on,” especially when asked to sit still for an extended period while being worked on. The use of massage in dogs who suffer from fear, especially with new people, places, and experiences, has proven to help calm their nerves and promote relaxation and trust.
Canine Bodywork
The Packin Method defines Bodywork as strength, stability, and balance training – canine fitness and conditioning using fitness equipment and the dog’s body weight. The goal is to build muscle tone, decrease the likelihood of injury, and build core strength and balance by using canine fitness equipment and a dog’s body weight. Not just for canine athletes, Bodywork is a great way to keep all dogs, no matter what age, breed, or size, feeling strong, healthy, and active. Mental benefits include using their brain the entire session when learning different commands to accomplish exercises. In addition, overcoming fears and trust issues of new people and with each session, a dog learns to trust themselves better when trying new ways of working their body and accomplishing new skills that were once challenging.
Dog Walks
Dog walks are one of the easiest ways to keep your dog active and promote cardiovascular health. Exploring new paths, seeing other people and pets, sniffing new smells, and hearing different sounds all while taking in the great outdoors promotes physical benefits from moving and mental stimulation for your dog that they cannot get from being let out in their backyard or using a wee wee pad in the home. When offered a variety of activities that work out the body and the brain, pet parents find their dogs are happier, calmer, and more relaxed. For those pet parents looking to add physical and mental enrichment to their dogs’ lives, The Packing Method is here. Our services are customizable, and we will work with you to create the best care plan that meets your dogs’ needs. Whether your dog is young or old, big, or small, a working dog, a family pet, takes part in dog sports, recovering from an injury, or at the end of its life, we can help you provide both physical and mental enrichment to keep them happy balanced, and comfortable.
What do you think about happiness?
When I work with dogs with behavioral issues, such as fear, anxiety, and stress, I experience the best feelings when they begin to trust me and learn to let go. Witnessing their internal process as they build their confidence and experience their sense of accomplishment, especially when on the treadmill, is a beautiful thing to be a part of. Likewise, helping the pets in my care free themselves of negativity and feel good makes me happy.
Pricing:
- Treadmill Workouts – Starting at $65
- Canine Massage – Starting at $95
- Canine Fitness & Bodywork Starting at $65
- Dog Walks Starting at $27
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thepackinmethod.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepackinmethod/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepackinmethod
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepackinmethod?lang=en
