Today we’d like to introduce you to Emilie Williams-Ingram, CPDT-KA.
Hi Emilie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been an animal lover and always had a house full of pets growing up, but it wasn’t until my early twenties that I found my passion for dogs. One night I was attacked and bitten in the face by our normally sweet and loyal family dog, seemingly without warning or reason. At the time, I was struggling to know “what I wanted to be when I grew up,” and after the bite incident, canine behavior and dog training piqued my interest. I completed a lengthy hands-on, intensive dog training program at a school just outside of Austin, Texas in 2005, and I was immediately hooked. Despite my eagerness to jump into the dog training world, I soon realized that it would be nearly impossible to make a living on a novice trainer’s income, so I moved back home and pursued a more reliable profession that would provide a steady source of income. I attended Texas State University and gained a BS in Elementary Education, even though I wasn’t too fond of kids. Not the wisest decision, but I thought I could make it work.
But I couldn’t turn off my passion for dogs, so I abandoned the hard-earned teacher’s degree and set out to try dog training again. Throughout all of this, I went through a series of hardships, most notably a long battle with severe depression and numerous health-related challenges. It seemed like just when I’d get back on my feet life would knock me back down and throw another roadblock to thwart my dreams of being a dog trainer. I had always thought of owning a dog training business but never thought it would become a reality. To be completely transparent, I thought my depression wouldn’t let me be successful at anything in life, let alone owning my own company.
But little did I know, my story wasn’t over. I was raised by parents who love God and believed he could change my life for the better. My mom had prayed for years that I would be healed of my depression, and in 2014, her prayers were answered. I cannot explain it, but I was no longer depressed. I had suffered severely with deep depression for more than half of my life, and in an instant, it was gone. It’s proof that miracles really do happen!
With renewed hope, and in a right state of mind, I once again pursued dog training. A wonderful company hired me and took me under their wing. I worked for them for many years and gained experience and confidence as a full-time dog trainer. Alongside dog training I worked at a veterinary clinic where I gained knowledge of the medical side of dog behavior. In 2024 I got married and moved to the Wylie area. The idea of starting my own business once again floated to the surface, but this time I decided to take a leap of faith and make my dream a reality. My company is called JustJoy Dog Training, because I believe there is great joy with owning a dog, and even greater joy when you have a well-behaved one! I love what I do, and it brings me great joy to help people overcome obstacles in order to have a furry family member that’s enjoyable to be around.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
With over 15 years of experience, JustJoy Dog Training offers private, in-home dog training that’s tailored to the individual needs of your dog. My approach is different from other dog training companies in that I believe good behavior starts with the relationship between you and your dog.
My relationship-based training uses positive reinforcement methods to build a strong bond with your dog by creating and maintaining mutual trust, respect, and understanding. I use what your dog loves (toys, treats, praise, affection, etc.) to obtain and reinforce specific behaviors; therefore, training becomes FUN for your dog and will keep him motivated to learn for years to come.
I specialize in basic and advanced obedience training, puppy training, therapy dog training, and behavior consulting. I also address behavior challenges such as fear, anxiety, and aggression, as well as other unwanted problem behaviors such as leash reactivity, jumping, excessive barking, and hyperactivity. For the busy individual who’s unable to provide consistent training for their dog, I offer owner-absent training, where I come to your home while you’re at work or occupied with other obligations.
I want readers to know that my job is not a job. It’s a ministry in helping people overcome obstacles that stand in the way of enjoying their dog at its full potential. It’s also about building relationships and having fun! Dog training should not be something you dread or get discouraged about-there should be laughing, celebrations of milestones and challenges that were overcome, and most importantly, discovering the joy of a satisfying bond between you and your dog. After all of this, you can truly experience the phrase, “Man’s best friend.”
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
A new addition to JustJoy Dog Training is our Therapy Dog Training program, where we walk with you through a number of sessions specifically tailored to train and prepare you for pet therapy certification. My dog, Moose, and I are a pet therapy team who visit those in need of joy and encouragement, such as assisted living facilities, school reading programs, stress relief events, and homeless shelters. I cannot tell you how incredibly rewarding it is and how much it means to those we visit. My dream is to spread this joy by helping other people get certified as pet therapy teams so that they can be a blessing to even more people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.justjoydogtraining.com
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/share/1DkJ4Q66cN/?mibextid=wwXlfr
