Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Gorman.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Karen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there. I was into horses and dogs as a kid. I attended Essex Agricultural High school and was exposed to a lot of animal husbandry and tended towards the horses and dogs. Eventually, I went to school for dog grooming and did that for many years. While I was grooming I attended an agility class with my German Shepherd. I loved it and really got into it, before I knew it I was teaching classes in my friend’s backyards and horse arenas, I did that for many years.
I ended up grooming at the Ipswich Animal Hospital in Rowley. I was there for years grooming and then worked as a receptionist. Eventually, my husband and I purchased a house with 2 acres. We made an outside ring and I started teaching more days a week. Thisleadsd to wanting to teach at night and in winter and we put up a temporary building (giant hoop house) This went well for 4-5 years until we had a extreme winter with layers of ice and snow that never melted. Our building collapsed as well as several other buildings that year. We rebuilt a pole barn and have agility classes in there 7 days a week.
I also lease a space in a small mall in Rowley where we offer puppy Kindergarten and many other obedience classes, as well as scent class and seminars.
I left the animal hospital as much as I loved working there I needed to focus on my own business. I now have 2 locations and 8 instructors working for me. I have worked hard to build up my business. But I love what I do and so do all my instructors. We love dogs and helping people to have a better relationship with their dogs. Dogs/pets are wonderful companions and people love them. But they sometimes get lost in our busy life these days. I love helping people to find an outlet and enjoy their dogs again.
Agility is very confidence building and dogs love it! Whether just for fun or for competition FNT is your agility source!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome? Struggles where not having my own place, teaching outside in the bugs and then it gets too dark in the fall. Teaching on the eve after a full-time job. When our temp building collapsed… was pretty stress full.
We have tons of agility classes and it was winter. We were able to find a horse arena for one night a week. We lost some students who could not drive further to train with us. Our current building is very nice but not heated. Someday it would be nice to have a heated building to teach agility in. A dog Gym so to speak right here on the edge of Boston. There are such things an hour and change away in New Hampshire.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Fit-N-Trim Dog Sport Training – what should we know? We are a dog Training business, we specialize in Dog Agility. But offer most other dog sports and Obedience, classes.
I am proud of us as a group of people who love dogs and helping people to enjoy their dogs. It is as much about the people as the dogs and we take pride in helping people reach their goals. It makes people feel good to be successful and have fun. All my instructors have this same goal and I am very lucky to have them with me.
The wide array of agility classes and level of knowledge with agility sets us apart.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success? The skill of being able to adjust training to each individual dog and handler team. We are willing to find what works for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fntdogs.com
- Phone: 978-948-2745
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/127282304714/
Image Credit: Kim Kezer
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