Paws to Freedom Trainer

The current trainer at Paws to Freedom is Mara Windstar. Partnered with a Golden Retriever, Freely Mara has lived first hand what it’s like to owner train, what it’s like to have invisible disabilities and what it’s like to have mobility challenges and using mobility aids.

She is a lifetime Portland, Oregon community member, working with people experiencing a variety of disabilities and multiple disabilities including those with brain disorders, previously referred to as psychiatric disorders.

It was when Mara was training Freely that her interest in the field of canine behavior was kindled.

Mara's studies and experience have been in the field of special education, Adaptations for persons using non-verbal communications, DEAF culture studies, American Sign Language Interpretation, development of recreational program activities for people with disabilities. She has been active with teachers and organizations locally in creating individualized educational tools for children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities, as well as modifications of activities for persons with mobility challenges.

In addition Mara does our assistance dog presentations out in the community.

Mara is passionate about the work of training dogs and equally driven by the uniqueness of every individual. Even though it can be very challenging at times, she is just as excited to understand the motivation of and learn to connect with people and rise to the challenge of working together to finding solutions, because of her strong belief that "How is the solution, because Can't is not an option".

Being a part of building healthy, safe and enjoyable assistance dog teams is her goal. Mutual respect for both beings is the priority, and the goal is to enhance the lives of all!

Mara has met the requirements and has successfully demonstrated knowledge of dog behavior. She has experience with the application of training techniques assessed in the following areas: Learning Theory, Instructional Skills, husbandry, ethology and equipment. As a member of Int’l Association of Assistance Dog Partners (www.iaadp.org), and one of the founding members of the Service Animal Consulting division of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Inc. (http://www.iaabc.org/) Mara is active in the field as a resource for people seeking to learn more about assistance dogs. She also does private consults for those considering training their own dog.

 

Above: Mara and Freely

More about Trainers and Training Assistants

Equally as important for the teams in training are the volunteers trainers and training assistants. Our current volunteers include:

Robyn Fountain (Class training assistant)
Joan Miller (office assistance, official training distraction)
Vicki Williams (office assistance)
Matt Morganroth (Class training assistant)
Sarah Haub (Class training assistant, seminar assistant)
Keri Gorman (TAGteach and training volunteer)

Being in the process of our transition, we are very appreciative of our volunteers who have shared many hours of assistance in the past. Mara and the teams in training will remain forever grateful for their generous contributions.

We are currently seeking new volunteers for our every other Saturday trainings
as well as weekday public access trainings.
If you or someone you know has some positive reinforcement training experience
and is interested in assisting with a fabulous group of people,
please contact Mara at
mara@pawstofreedom.com

Logo design provided by
Constance Umphress Design,
ceumphress@comcast.net

 

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