910-515-0449
Julie Benoit
Owner - Head Trainer
Julie Benoit
Owner - Head Trainer
Here’s what we’ve been working on
Here’s what we’ve been working on
Samantha Stevens
Samantha Stevens
Samantha Stevens originally born in England was an only child and she began dog training at the early age of seven, while living in Spain, when she erected obstacle courses for her 3 dogs to complete (now formerly known as agility). She spent all other spare time volunteering at the nearby stables and watching horses train for bull fighting and dressage.
Later in life she spent weekends helping out at her aunt’s horse and general menagerie farm. Finally once attaining the freedom of adulthood began training/fostering with service dogs for the blind; fostering dogs from puppies, before they went on to more specified training and becoming service animals.
In 2000 she moved from France and attended UNCW; graduating. In 2003 she fostered and started training a dog (Little Star of Bethlehem, AKA Star) for Carolina Canines, together they graduated UNCW and walked the stage, with a Bachelor’s of Science. Star soon moved on to fulfill her lifelong ambition as a service animal and was outstanding in her role.
Samantha Stevens then joined the NC Rottweiler Rescue first adopting a dog and then becoming a foster parent and very quickly becoming their rehabilitation trainer - specializing in fixing behavioral issues and teaching basic obedience to prepare dogs to be great family pets. At that time it was not unusual for her to walk 10 dogs at a time around her neighborhood or at Greenfield Lake. NCRR was the largest Rottweiler rescue on the East Coast with over 135 dogs in the rescue at its peak, and after having rehabilitated and fostered many dogs for the rescue she withdrew from her role in 2008.
From that time on she has provided the occasional private dog training session and often walks between 6 and 12 dogs at once around the Lake. In 2017 she met Julie Benoit and offered up her foster dog to be a Pets for Vets companion animal. Since then she has fostered, trained and worked with Julie to place three dogs with Veterans.
· Owner/Handler of 3 rehabilitated dogs
· Trainer for Pets for Vets - Cape Fear Chapter
· Certified Pet Emergency First Aid and CPR - March 2018
Stephanie Shepherd
Stephanie Shepherd
Stephanie Shepherd is 27 with a Bachelors degree in Biology from UNCW. She was introduced to the world of dogs in 2016 and quickly realized that she wanted to learn as much as she could about why dogs do what they do. Over the next few years she helped with the raising and training of several dozen puppies through a service dog organization. In 2020 she sought out Julie and started shadowing Julie’s classes at Einsteins. She currently has two dogs: a 5 year old female Border Collie named Stella, and a 3 year old male German Shepherd named Baruch (pronounced buh-REWK). Baruch is her first dog, and the reason she ultimately became a dog trainer. Stephanie’s mission is to show other dog owners how to connect with their dogs in ways they might not have previously considered, in an effort to make their time with their pup as fun and stress free as possible.
Garrett Fredericks
Garrett Fredericks
Ever since Garrett was a little boy family, friends, and neighbors would rely on him to walk, or take care of theirs four legged pals! Fast forward 20 something years, at 30 years young it wasnt until he walked through the doors of Einsteins Canine Collage with a 10 week old Belgian Malinois that needed some serious attention obedience wise. Stella, Garrett’s Belgian Malinois is now on her way to be a human remains cadaver dog. Julie had had a keen eye for talent and passion and offered Garrett an opportunity that would change the course of his life. Fast forward almost 2 years and multiple certifications later including canine CPR, and The Art of Leash Handling from the Canine Human Relationship Institute. Garrett’s Philosophy is all communication based. Setting up a simple and fair line of communication of yes’s and no’s. Once the dog understands that; all is possible. He knows that each dog is different, and he works with you to provide both leadership and guidance to set your dog up for success that will create lasting change! Whether you just got a new dog or you’ve had your four legged buddy for years and maybe have some behavior issues. Garrett will you give you professionalism and a peace of mind.
- Canine and Feline CPR certification 2021/ Certificate #- 1738
- Art of Leash Handling & Understanding ; Canine-Human Relationship Institute 2021
Sophia Peterson
Sophia Peterson
Sophia Peterson is a UNCW Biology graduate that got into all things dog in 2016 when she began both volunteering with service dogs and puppies as well as walking dogs as a side-job. When she rescued her first personal dog, Kyra, in 2019, Sophia was motivated to further her training skills to help get her dog through her challenging fear-based reactivity.
In 2020, Sophia and Kyra met Julie and began shadowing under her to progress to teaching classes at Einstein’s Canine College. Since then, she has also begun pet sitting and dog walking full-time and formed her own LLC in 2021. Sophia credits Kyra for all that she has accomplished, as taking on an “easy” dog never would have lit that fire quite like she did!
•Active member of Hanover Kennel Club
•Certified Pet Emergency First Aid and CPR (2021)
•Attended Michael Shikashio and Trish McMillan's 2-day seminar "Aggression in Dogs: Defensive Handling & Training" in November 2020
•Attended Jay Jack’s 2-day seminar “Play as the Way” November 2021