Melissa Robinson attended the University of MN, Crookston in pursuit of an Equine Business Management degree with an emphasis in Animal Nutrition and Behavior. After college she moved back to Southern MN and worked in the equine world for 20 + years. During that time Melissa trained dogs as a hobby for friends and family, realizing that as much as she liked horses, dogs are her true passion. Melissa then pursued a degree in Dog Training and Behavior through the Animal Behavior College. Melissa is always furthering her education by attending training seminars and shadowing different trainers.

Melissa is certified in Pet First Aid and CPR and is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Melissa enjoys working with dogs and owners and helping them become a well balanced team whether for sport or just a well balanced family member.

In her spare time Melissa is an avid outdoor enthusiast, and spends a lot of her free time camping and learning about off grid living. Currently, Melissa oversees and trains dogs/puppies in our on campus K9 Academy program. In addition to on campus training she also teaches our Puppy 1 & 2, Basic Obedience, Intro to E-collar, AKC Canine Good Citizen, and our Around the Town Classes. She also does private lessons in our facility or your home.

Don and Stephanie are a husband-wife team with over 40 years of combined experience as therapy dog handlers. Their hearts are with the giant breeds – rare mastiffs, in particular. They also focus on rescuing giants in need. Over the years, they have owned a Tosa Ken, also known as a Japanese mastiff; a rescued Saint Bernard; a rescued Great Dane mix; two rescued Neapolitan mastiffs, sometimes referred to as an Italian mastiff (think Fang from Harry Potter); a rescued Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as a French mastiff (think Turner & Hooch); and a rescued Irish Wolfhound. Most recently, they adopted a Newfoundland in June 2021 and an Olde English Bulldogge in October 2021.

Don and Stephanie began volunteering in animal-assisted activities with their Japanese mastiff, Majo, in 2002 through Therapy Dogs Inc., now known as Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD). Majo’s 9-year career focused on the elderly, with most of her visits in nursing homes. But in 2010, Majo started working at an adult detention center, the beginning of what would turn into a fulfilling new path for Don and Stephanie in the correctional system. Their second registered therapy dog, a rescued Saint Bernard named Gaag, worked for nearly 5 years with ATD, regularly visiting an adult detention center, a juvenile detention center, and hospice patients. Napolean, their Bordeaux, visited for about a year at a number of correctional facilities in the area, including a juvenile detention facility, two area adult detention centers and a federal medical facility.

In August 2011, Don became a Tester/Observer with ATD, and in June 2016, he was elected to its Board of Directors. In July 2018, Don was elected ATD Treasurer. In July 2021, Don was elected ATD Vice President. In July 2024, Don was elected ATD President.

Ila, their Newfoundland, and Henry, their Olde English Bulldogge, are both certified therapy dogs with ATD as of June 2022. They regularly visit a mental health and addiction counseling facility.