Tidewater K 9 Academy
1232 George Washington Hwy N
Chesapeake, VA - 23323
(757) 487-3261
About Us
Mark Hackathorn - Owner, Master Trainer, CCS, AKC CGC Evaluator
The
dream of working with dogs began when Mark selected, trained and worked
hunting dogs as a child with his father in Kansas City, MO. The
dream grew after Mark was hired as a kennel worker, and three days later
promoted to kennel manager, of the 120 run facility at West Point
K-9 Academy in Missouri. During his tenure at West Point, he learned all
phases of dog training from their Master Trainers.
Over
the years he has attended courses under top trainers of Jack Healy’s K-9
Command Dog in New York, attended seminars with top trainers at Santa
Clara K-9 Academy, and has been privileged to work with top master
trainers in Schutzhund and the North American Working Police Dog
Association, an association that continues to this day. He also completed
PIJAC’s certification as a Canine Care Specialist, and has been certified
by the AKC (American Kennel Club) as a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.
His
dream found a foundation when Mark founded Tidewater K-9 Academy over
35 years ago in Tidewater, Virginia. He has trained over 35,000 dogs and
their humans. Mark has taught other dog trainers who have gone on to open
their own schools. "Training is your dog’s best friend," is
one of Mark’s mottoes. A properly trained dog is a happy dog, one which
is welcomed in and stays in the family and the community. He believes
basic obedience training should be a requirement for pet adoption and
ownership. Mark has developed an excellent understanding of canine psychology
and behavior. He has modified the ways dogs naturally teach and learn
from each other into training techniques that allow humans and dogs to
effectively communicate. His approach includes respect and love for dogs
and their nature. The dogs sense this and respond positively. Mark can
then effectively teach the owner to be the dog’s trainer! The results
are uniquely designed training programs he calls "The Ultimate in
Training".
Mark and his wife now have 2 standard poodles who will become the
nucleus of a breeding program for working standard poodles and goldendoodles. They also
have a gorgeous male Golden Retriever and a Goldendoodle. They actively breed Goldendoodles
which is an F1 hybrid cross between a Standard Poodle and a Golden Retriever.
Their Goldendoodle, Shenleigh O’Doodle, is quite a star. She has been
on TV and in magazines many times and was recently paid to be in a movie.
Click on our Goldendoodle site for more information. The Hackathorn’s
have all of their dogs on a raw diet which they advocate and have had
great success with.
Community
involvement is also important to Mark. He has donated dogs to corrections
and the police force and has had two trained therapy dogs. Animal Control
authorities & breed rescue organizations frequently consult
with Mark to temperament test dogs after biting incidents, and he has
testified as an expert witness in several court cases. Most recently he
co-founded C.A.R.E.S. - a non- profit organization that will select and
train dogs for pet therapy to the elderly. He is an active member in scouting
with his sons.
Mark
has been a guest several times on a local cable program called Critter
Corner and on WNIS talk radio. The local newspapers have covered Mark’s
work in several articles over the years. He has also been the guest (with
his dogs) on ABC Family Show, Living the Life, a CBN Production. He dreams
now of expanding and continuing to grow and improve the business.
Lori
Callis - Pet
Care Specialist and Client Services
Lori Callis has been with the Animal Inn for over
16 years, caring for your best friends in Deep Creek. Lori has joined
the Tidewater K-9 team to continue to provide the kind of loving care
every pet owner expects when they board or groom their pets.
TOP
PICTURES
WHO
WE ARE PICTURES
WHAT
CLIENTS ARE SAYING TOP
TOP
0 Responses