OUR STORY…
In years past her home had a German shepherd they took to obedience school. Gina paid attention to all of the details about obedience and your relationship with your dog. The family’s shepherd was a bully and was a very dominant dog – not good with kids. One day Gretchen, the German shepherd, bit her and her younger sister. At 12 years of age, Gina called the dog trainer and asked her what was happening and how it could be fixed. Enlightened, Gina realized that Gretchen was not aggressive, as her parents thought, but rather needed her role in the “pack” changed. Gina knew then, dogs were something very unique and deserved to be understood and have a strong leader.
Since the age of 14, Gina wanted to pursue a career with canines. Unsure of how to do this or where to start, she read every article and book she could find. Fueling the desire to work with dogs, she watched 4-H dog shows and decided she wanted a border collie. At age 16 she learned that one of her 4-H instructors was a border collie breeder. For her birthday her parents surprised her with her dog, Skye.
When Gina got Skye, she was 17. She applied everything she learned from the trainer and all of those books and articles. Training Skye in basic obedience, grew Skye to be a reliable recall dog, a dog who is completely off a leash in a normal environment and a few tricks. Needless to say Gina loved the process and the evidence of success. She wanted more!
After an 18 month internship with the woman who originally started Gina’s desire to be a dog trainer, her business began. During the internship, Gina began walking dogs, pet sitting dogs, and getting herself into the entrepreneur world. Slowly she has started building a business and watching it grow. Late in 2018, broke off from the trainer and built Alpha Omega Dog Service.
Skye is the reason for all of this. She is almost 8 now and the trainer gave Gina the internship because she had trained a dog to be off a leash!
GINA & SKYE’S TEAM
Gina Mattei-Swank – Owner, Dog Trainer
Currently studying under Fayette Area Dog Training, 2022 – present
Studied under Cathy L. Peters, Hickory Grove Kennels, April 2017 – October 2018
S.T.A.R. Puppy Evaluator
BRIDGET – Dog Walker
Bob and LISA – Dog Walkers
JODI – Dog Walker
PATTY – Dog Walker
Patty is a very young 69 boy mom of 4, with 5 grandchildren. She is a dog owner of Daisy and often has her son’s dog Rosie. Living in North Huntingdon, Patty will be backing up Bridget and making a super-duo team as well as gaining her own clients. Exercising, coffee, sitting in the sun, and walking outside are a few of Patty’s favorite activities. Patty loves dogs, rescue stories, flowers, and growing succulents.
LAURIE – Pet Sitter
Laurie has been a “dog person” her entire life. Laurie has worked as a veterinary assistant and office manager for 11 years and has always loved being around animals. She is a certified dog trainer with over 20 years of experience. Her English Setters were certified therapy dogs. She also competed in obedience and agility trials with them.
Kathy – Pet Sitter
Casey – Pet Sitter
Heather – Pet Sitter
Heather lives in Greensburg, PA, and has been an animal lover her entire life. Currently, she works full-time as a social services aide and is available evenings and weekends for drop-ins, walking, and pet sitting. Heather isn’t allowed to have pets, so her second job is based on her adoration for dogs. She is open to caring for other animals as well.
In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, reading, watching sports, and taking nature walks. She is excited to be part of this incredible team and looks forward to giving your animal the best care and love.
