The For Paws Team

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.

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.

PATTI WESTPHAL – Certified For Paws Trainer

Patti joined For Paws Canine Obedience in 2016. She retired from teaching after 27 years and combined her teaching skills and love of dogs into a new adventure when she began an apprenticeship with Jim Devenny. In 2018 she became certified as a For Paws dog trainer. In 2019 she continued her education by studying and sitting for the CCPDT (Council for Certification of Professional Dog Trainers) exam. This is a nationally recognized organization for commitment to positive training methods with dogs. She passed the exam in November of 2019. She plans to continue her education with additional courses and seminars to keep bringing fresh ideas and skills to her For Paws students. She teaches all Levels of classes with For Paws and leads orientation sessions for new clients. Patti, her husband Jim, and 3 dogs; Taffy, Pepper and Jackie enjoy their country home and traveling.