Meet Our Team
The For Paws Team
Canine Obedience Training
JIM DEVENNY – Founder | Certified Trainer
Jim has lived in the Northern Kentucky area most of his life. After a successful business career, Jim made the decision to follow his passion for animals and in 2012 became certified as a Canine Obedience Trainer. Following the Positive Reinforcement Method of training, he developed his own version of a Level’s Training Method in 2016 and launched a new leg of For Paws (the Pet Sitting and Care business that his wife Marilyn launched in 1999). Before long, he partnered with Mary and David Clegg at Allie’s Walkabout to offer training programs at their facility. In addition to leading weekly training classes, Jim is a Tester Observer for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Evaluator for AKC’s Canine Good Citizenship, a Behavior Modification consultant for Boone, Kenton and Grant County Shelters and dog owners/parents (with reactive or aggressive dogs). Jim also supports children, students and elderly with their Therapy Dog and Service Dog Training programs. Jim continues his education as a dog trainer and behaviorist through advanced dog training, canine ethology and service dog training seminars, webinars and national association courses. Jim oversees and provides training and education for potential canine obedience trainers to become Assistant and Certified Canine Obedience Trainers with For Paws.
Pet Sitting & Pet Care
MARILYN DEVENNY – Founder
Marilyn spent the majority of her career in nursing, starting in OBGYN and surgery, and then as director of nursing at two facilities. Marilyn always had a passion for animals, especially horses, dogs and cats…and then 27 years ago fate stepped in with a message for her in the form of two abandoned dogs on the side of the road. She took those dogs in and found them loving homes. And then she did it again, and again and again for more lost pups and cats through a local rescue (Wags and Whiskers). Her kind disposition, nursing skills and love of animals made pet care a natural fit for Marilyn and For Paws Pet Sitting and Pet Care was born. After 20 years caring for pets, Marilyn’s business continues to grow as she walks dogs for clients who are at work or away from home for days, stays in clients homes with their pets while they are away, provides in home medical support for client’s cats and dogs, and partners with Allie’s Walkabout to care for seniors, puppies and special needs dogs.
DAVID CLEGG – Certified For Paws Trainer
David, along with his wife Mary, daughters Audrey and Allie, owns Allie’s Walkabout and has been working with dogs individually as well as in group settings for over 12 years. David is currently certified through For Paws and working to become a Certified Trainer with Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers®. To accomplish this he’ll complete over 300 hours of observed practical application plus pass the rigorous CCPDT exam. David is currently in Level IV training with his sweet girl Athena and assists and leads classes at all levels.
LORI SNIDER – Certified For Paws Trainer
Lori grew up on a farm surrounded by four legged friends – equine and canine. She has judged events such as the Equestrian Cross Country (KY Horse Park) and the 2016 Rio Olympics. Her love of dogs led her to adopt Casper, an eight week old Pit Bull that expressed a natural interest in being a Therapy Dog. She listened to Casper’s call and enrolled in For Paws training. Casper is now a certified Therapy Dog.
BLAKE WYATT – Certified For Paws Trainer
Blake wyatt is a dedicated military working dog handler with a passion for canine training and education. Originally from Lawrenceburg, Indiana, he joined the U.S. Army at 19 and deployed to Iraq and Syria alongside his trusted partner, Xando. With years of experience handling and training military working dogs in high-pressure environments, he has honed his skills in obedience, and behavior modification. As he prepares to transition out of the Army. He is eager to continue his mission, sharing his expertise with others and helping both dogs and their handlers reach their full potential.
US Army Military Working Dog Handler Veteran
Certified Canine Trainer
German Shepherd & Belgian Malinois Specialist
Meet Our Team – For Paws Dog Training Northern Kentucky
At For Paws Canine Training and Pet Sitting, our team is passionate about helping dogs and their families thrive. We bring years of experience, expertise, and a deep love for animals to every training session, making us the trusted choice for dog training in Northern Kentucky.
Our trainers specialize in positive reinforcement techniques, using creative and versatile methods to address each dog’s unique needs. This approach not only ensures effective training but also builds trust and confidence between you and your furry companion. Whether it’s basic obedience, advanced skills, or behavior modification, our team is dedicated to creating a positive learning environment that motivates both dogs and their owners.
We pride ourselves on versatility, offering a wide range of services, including group classes, private training, residency programs, and certification preparation for therapy and service dogs. Each member of our team is highly skilled in using reward-based methods to encourage desired behaviors, ensuring that training is a fun and rewarding experience for everyone involved.
At For Paws, we believe there’s no such thing as a bad dog—just dogs with untapped potential. Our trainers treat every dog as an individual, working with their natural instincts to achieve lasting results. We’re here to guide you every step of the way, helping you develop a stronger bond with your pet.
Located in Erlanger, KY, our team is committed to serving the community and supporting pet owners with programs tailored to their needs and goals. Meet the friendly faces behind For Paws and discover how we can help you unlock your dog’s full potential!
📞 Call us today at (859) 802-6076 or visit https://expertk9training.com/ to learn more.