Andrea Loomis is the owner of For Keeps Pet Training, LLC. She graduated from Argosy University in 2005 with an Associates of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. In 2005, she passed both the national and the state of Minnesota exams to gain the credentialing of a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT). Her certification remains in good standing with the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association.
In 2003, while attending Argosy University, Andrea began working within a small animal general practice located in Prior Lake, Minnesota and remained a member of their team until 2019. In 2012, Andrea acquired additional knowledge and experience through working at an animal emergency center. In 2016, she began working within an additional small animal general practice located in New Prague, Minnesota.
It is through her experiences as a certified veterinary technician, that Andrea developed a special interest in animal behavior. Specifically, how behavior relates to every day interactions, veterinary visits, and most importantly, how it impacts the human-animal bond.
Her desire to be an advocate for her patients, along with being a knowledgeable and reliable resource to their owners, drove her to consider specializing in animal behavior and earning the credentials of Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) (Behavior). The coursework and requirements for this certification requires numerous hours of experience in training animals. Andrea wanted to ensure that she would be training animals and teaching owners with the most humane and scientifically based methods.
Through recommendation, Andrea pursued acceptance into the prestigious Karen Pryor Academy Professional Dog Trainer program. After an application, letters of recommendation, a phone interview and a video submission of training a dog a new behavior, Andrea received notice of acceptance. She worked diligently through rigorous course work, training exercises, workshops, and final assessment exams to include how to teach others to train their dogs along with demonstrating her ability to train her own dog a ten-cue behavior chain. Through the successful completion of the course work, workshops, and final assessment exams, Andrea was awarded the distinction of a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP): Certification #12443.
Training Philosophy
Andrea understands the multiple reasons that behavioral and training concerns aren’t able to be fully addressed within your pet’s primary veterinary visit or within a group training class setting. Andrea also understands the heartache, frustration, sadness, and the feelings of helplessness and loneliness that pet owners often experience when it appears as though they are left to their own devices in managing their pet’s fear, anxiety, stress, or their demonstration of undesired behaviors. At For Keeps Pet Training, Andrea works to ensure that pet owners no longer feel isolated by offering them and their pet the necessary support to live their best lives.
Whether pet owners are seeking early intervention through learning about basic life skills and starting their pet’s behavioral health journey off on the right paw, advanced behavior modification, cooperative veterinary care, safe handling, or husbandry training for their pet, Andrea possesses the knowledge and skill set necessary to assist them with establishing and accomplishing their goals.
Andrea acknowledges that each individual pet owner and individual pet’s situation is unique to them, and their needs can range in complexity. Therefore, she works to ensure she educates her clients in all of their options and then offers them her full support in whichever behavioral and training path they identify to be the best option for themselves. Andrea is committed to providing pet owners with a safe opportunity to fully express their concerns, their needs, and their desires, while remaining kind in her nature, respectful in her communications, and supportive within an advocacy role. Andrea recognizes the emotional distress pet owners often experience in their day to day lives when it’s apparent their pet isn’t coping well or is demonstrating undesired behaviors. She also understands how these factors can negatively impact the human-animal bond while also posing threat to the pet owner’s finances, personal relationships, and an overall decrease in each individual’s quality of life. Because Andrea understands the magnitude of human emotion that often accompanies pet owners who are seeking her services, she respects their privacy and maintains confidentiality.
Services
Andrea offers a variety of services, including:
- Basic life skills training
- Advanced behavior modification
- Cooperative veterinary care
- Safe handling
- Husbandry training
Certifications
Andrea holds the following certifications:
- Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)
- Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP)
- Fear Free Elite Professional
- Low Stress Handling Certified-Silver Level (LSHC-S)
Specializations
Andrea specializes in animal behavior, particularly how behavior relates to everyday interactions, veterinary visits, and the human-animal bond.
Training Methods
Andrea uses humane and scientifically based methods of training.
