Meet Marsha, she's our on-staff Certified Professional Dog Trainer who helps manage our day-to-day, writes posts for the Unleashed Blog, and provides support for our team. Continue reading to learn more about the person behind the leash!
Marsha with her dogs Cricket (middle) and Walter (front)
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how long you've been a part of our team?
A: I started working for Off Leash MKE in January '23 - I had a good few months filled with dog walks, adventures, and sniffaris before my partner and I purchased a house in the Driftless and said our goodbyes to Milwaukee. Rather than say goodbye to Off Leash too, Lori thankfully offered to keep me on the team in a remote position writing for the Unleashed Blog, helping with the day-to-day tasks, and providing training insights as needed.
Q: Do you have a favorite pet or client story you'd like to share?
A: In my time walking dogs for Off Leash MKE, I met some great personalities but one dog I really got attached to was Ca$h. He joined the Off Leash pack around the same time as me so I think we bonded in that way. He is such a good boy, I loved exploring parks with him by my side.
Q: Besides working with animals, what are your hobbies or interests?
A: I enjoy spending time with my family, watching movies, and tending to my many houseplants. Also, my partner and I have started a mushroom farm called Spring Creek Farm WI where we grow and sell gourmet and medicinal mushrooms. It's been a lot of fun and hard work getting that up and running. We recently participated in our first Farmer’s Market and we’re excited to do more this summer!
Q: Do you have any pets of your own? If so, tell us about them.
A: My two dogs, Cricket and Walter, are my whole world. Cricket is a very clever and handsome 9 year old beagle. As the first dog of my adult life, he has taught me so much! I adopted him early on in my trainer career so he was kind of my little guinea pig as I was studying dog behavior and figuring out how to teach skills. My favorite activity with him is scent training - we took a few courses with the Nosey Pup and had a blast together! It’s well known that dogs are equipped with excellent noses but to watch him navigate obstacles to track a scent is so impressive - he’s very talented!
Marsha’s dogs Cricket and Walter
Walter is pretty different from Cricket, kind of a yin and yang. Where Cricket is very easy going and self assured, Walter is more high strung and needs lots of guidance and reassurance, especially in new situations and around unfamiliar people. He has his snuggly moments but generally does not enjoy pets, and handling is difficult for him. Training exercises like Chirag Patel’s Bucket Game have helped me develop a way to communicate with him so we are able to take care of things like nail trims in a way that is predictable and as comfortable as possible for him.
Q: Are there any favorite dog parks or pet-friendly spots you recommend in our area?
A: I love the trails along Lake Michigan the best. Grant Park has some great views, and I love walking the beach at South Shore Park too - lots of cool rocks to find in the surf! Besides parks, one of my absolute favorite dog-friendly spots in Milwaukee is Riley’s - enjoying good food and drinks surrounded by dogs, yes please!
Q: What's your go-to tip for clients looking to provide the best care for their pet?
A: Take the time to teach your dog some fun tricks and practice them often. Not just for the bonding of it (though that’s very important), but also behavior is information. Your dog's ability to respond to cues will differ depending on the environment - knowing their baseline is great for figuring out what kind of headspace they’re in and how you can best support them. Working on cues together helps refine your communication and you’ll be better able to read and understand your dog - and your dog will enjoy showing off their tricks!
Q: How would you describe the teamwork and camaraderie among our pet care team?
A: It’s a really solid team with a lot of heart - when I applied for a job with Off Leash MKE, that’s just what I was looking for and I feel very fortunate to have found that. The team has a lot of collective knowledge and experience, as well as a good sense of humor - which is great because for as much fun as this industry is, good pet care is also a lot of hard work. Venturing out in all kinds of weather, cleaning up after pet messes, and pivoting when the game plan changes at the last minute takes a lot of grace under pressure and this team is one that really rises to challenge again and again.
Q: What do you appreciate most about working with our company?
A: I appreciate, admire, and root for this amazing team so strongly - I am very grateful to be a part of it! I have worked in this industry for many years and know that there are a handful of different ways you can approach pet care. I am very happy to be on a team that believes in a fear free approach and always advocates for the pets in our care.
To wrap up the end of the year, we are excited to shine our employee spotlight on the newest Off Leash MKE team member Marissa! Since joining us in September 2024, Marissa has been a fantastic addition to our team. She dove right into home visits and adventures with the skill and confidence of a seasoned pro - keep reading to discover more about the amazing person behind the leash!