Hey! My name is Mackenzie Gray!

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to explore my website!

   

   I am originally from East Texas and relocated to my father's hometown of Jonesborough after Hurricane Katrina and Rita devastated our home in 2015. As the oldest kid, I operated our farm, tending to the animals and garden daily. I connected better with animals than I did kids of my own age, studying their behaviors and finding motivators to achieve desired behaviors. I was obsessed! 

   I worked multiple jobs, waitressing and bartending for 15 years to fund my minimum wage jobs and hobbies revolving around animals. I started off with a hobby of taking in unwanted reptiles from Craigslist and Facebook, diving into studying the dietary and housing requirements of several different species. I learned how to grow their food, reverse MBD, and train veracious eaters to gently take food from my hand.  This caught the attention of a few private collectors and small zoos, and I began working with rare and endangered reptiles down in New Orleans and surrounding areas.

   After having an accident that left me unable to walk for 9 months, I returned to Tennessee, where I spent a few years working at a private horse and dog sanctuary in Kingsport.  Most of the horses were disabled, rescued from neglect and abuse, retired from racing, or retired from the police force.  I handled their training, exercise, dietary needs, grooming, and medical administration.  The dogs were pulled from euthanasia lists and severe neglect cases, determined to be unadoptable as a danger to people and other dogs.  Although most were untouchable, I grew relationships with these pups to where they were excited to see me every day, and it made me feel great!  That passion grew into my desire to study vet med and I soon became a vet tech under the guide of Dr. Hobbs of Family Pet Vet Hospital in Blounteville. My passion led to family, friends, and strangers asking to provide services for their pets in my home, many being post-surgery patients or having very specific medical needs.

   I also worked at Camp Ruff-n-More in Kingsport for several years! I became an expert in learning dog body language, different playstyles, and emotionally regulating over stimulated pups.  I preferred working with the larger dog groups, becoming comfortable with packs of 25 and up! During the holidays, there were sometimes 80+ dogs staying, with only 2-4 of us working these groups. When I have clients ask me, "How can you manage 15 dogs in your home?!" Trust me, this is easy! 

  While working at vet clinics and doggy daycare, I developed relationships with coworkers and clients that I stay connected with. Eventually, this path led me to fostering unwanted dogs, where I carefully trained and rehomed dozens over the years! Having rehabilitated so many pups, I was urged by several people to become a professional dog trainer, as my methods were positive-based and worked!  I went through an online dog training program, followed by dog business school, learning the ins and the out of this industry.

   Now, here I am, several years later, working with private clients and local rescue groups!  My goal has been to continue providing a boarding and training experience in my home that leaves your pet relaxed, secure, and socialized.  Unlike other boarding or kennel environments, your dog comes back home feeling emotionally fulfilled with physical needs met.  I truly enjoy watching my boarders and trainees form friendships with each other, and they're always excited to come back to me!