Working with animals has always been a passion for Olivia Follis, who dreams of one day opening her own dog training facility. While on her journey to achieve this dream, Follis has taken a position as a kennel technician at McAfee Animal Hospital because she wanted to work with animals. Follis loves working at McAfee where she is gaining experience for her future in dog training.
Follis has had a passion for animals her entire life. Growing up she was always surrounded by pets and she loved to care for them.
“I have always been that kid who wants to spend more time with animals than people,” said Follis. “We always had super great pets. Growing up I always had dogs, cats, and bunnies, so I was always around them, and I just loved them.”
The decision for Follis to join McAfee Animal Hospital was an easy one. She wanted a job that worked with animals while she waits to open her own business. Follis had previous jobs in animal boarding, so getting the opportunity to work on the medical side of animal care was exciting.
“Getting to see the medical side of working with animals is completely new for me,” explained Follis. “It’s been really cool to learn new things and further educate myself so that when I am on my own I’ll have an even broader education besides just training.”
Currently, at McAfee Animal Hospital, Follis is a kennel technician and started this year in May. She helps take care of the animals in the hospital and also helps wherever she is needed.
“As a kennel tech we primarily take care of the cats or dogs that are boarding with us,” said Follis. “We are also responsible for cleaning up the clinic and kennels and really just being an extra set of hands for whatever anyone needs.”
Follis went to school to become certified in dog training. She attended a six-month program that helped get her certified in training.
“I went to school five days a week; it was like going to college but for dog training,” explained Follis. “I got to bring my dog with me so she could go through all of the training alongside me. I got to learn basic obedience training, but I also got to work with police canines, personal protection dogs, and service dogs”
Follis is excited to use the knowledge she has learned from her training program and her time at McAfee Animal Hospital for her future goals. Currently, she is doing dog training with her business partner under its name Paw Barn Dog Training Services.
“We have all of the necessary paperwork,” said Follis. “But properties are so expensive, so we haven’t found somewhere to have a physical setup, but she and I do private lessons. I usually don’t have a lot of free time because if I’m not at McAfee, I’m training. So we do have a business name, just not a standing business yet.”
To learn more about McAfee Animal Hospital visit https://www.facebook.com/mcafeeanimalhospital/. To learn more about Paw Barn Dog Training Services, visit https://www.facebook.com/PawBarnDTS.