Ashley's Animal Academy

01/11/2025

Hey everyone— Ashley here!

I thought some of you may be interested in a life update from me…

I am very excited to say that tomorrow I begin a full time position as an Education Specialist at the Philadelphia Zoo.

Those of you who know me, know just how long I’ve been waiting for a full time position at the zoo and how much I LOVE working there. This is an incredible opportunity and I’m excited to continue educating people in the community about animal behavior and conservation.

In this role, I will be running online programs for schools and community members as well as educating people at the zoo everyday. I cannot express how excited I am and how ready I am for this career change.

With that said, I may be deactivating this page soon…
Ashley’s Animal Academy was such a success for so many years and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to be a young, female business owner and meet so many amazing pet owners.

Keep in touch over on my personal FB if you’d like! Ashley Farren

Also, if you’re looking to get back in the training game— a former client of mine, Lori Roehrig is now offering group classes at Dawg Day Afternoon with her business, Direction for Dogs, LLC— highly recommend checking those out.

Here’s to new beginnings! ⭐️

08/09/2024

If you have Netflix, I highly recommend checking out “Inside the Mind of a Dog”!

Great way to learn about what goes on in a dog’s brain, how they learn and how to recognize your dog’s personality, needs and limitations.

Have to admit it made me a little emotional. I SO wish I had followed a more “behavioral research” path, behavior is so cool!

08/07/2024

This past weekend, these wonderful teams of pups and their humans completed Level 1 Skills. 🏅

Congratulations to Henry, Archer, Luna and Patch on graduation! 🎓

Not only did they graduate from Level 1 but they were all interested in continuing their learning in Level 2 Skills and we will be starting that class in September!

Huge shout out to Pamela Kneass at The Animal Resource Cooperation for allowing us to use the space and being open to more classes!

We are ALSO trying to put together another Level 1 class for anyone interested. Classes would be held on Sundays beginning 9/8 in Hamburg, PA.

Contact me at [email protected] if you’re interested in joining Level 1 in September.

05/30/2024

Thank you— truly, thank you to each and every one of you who has supported Ashley’s Animal Academy over the past 8 years. Whether it was sharing my info with family and friends, sharing a social media post, following my page, writing a good review or using my services, the support did not go unnoticed.

This hasn’t been easy, but if I’ve learned anything as an adult it’s that it’s OK to walk away from things that no longer benefit you.

Ashley’s Animal Academy had a good run. It kept me employed for my 20s and led me to so many amazing people and pets and many lifelong friends. I do not take that for granted. I truly had the ability to live my dream for the past 8 years.

But it’s time to focus on a new dream and figure out who I am outside of being a “business owner” or a “dog trainer”.

There is so much more that I want to say, but I’m not sure I have the words.

But truly, thank you. ❤️

I hope to see updates of your pups and keep in touch and who knows, maybe one day I’ll be back ❤️

05/29/2024

Wednesday on a Wednesday— how perfect! ❤️

05/28/2024

Happy boy Pippin!

05/27/2024

Happy Memorial Day! 🇺🇸

Don’t forget to practice safety during your Memorial Day festivities today.

Keep food out of reach of doggie noses, keep an eye on temperatures and keep gates locked and leashes on during fireworks!

Have a wonderful and safe holiday 🇺🇸

05/26/2024

Negan celebrated Memorial Day a day early with a dip in the lake! 🇺🇸

05/24/2024

Have I mentioned how proud I am of Sully?

A little over a year ago, he was intensely reactive and overstimulated on our walks more often than not.

Over the last year, we prioritized his mental health by keeping him under threshold during walks and also practicing calm behaviors around triggers and LOOK AT HIM NOW! A year ago, we would have avoided a busy park because it would have sent him into a reactive headspace.

Reactivity is a journey and it is not a linear one.
You will have good days and not so good days.
But it’s these little moments that make the journey worth it! ❤️

05/24/2024

I LOVE this!

What color is your cat?

5/31 AVAILABLE NOW! :)

Coming soon - a new 18x24"poster of cat coat colors and patterns! What colors are your kitties? We have a longhaired black cat with a white locket, and a gray and white tuxedo cat.

05/23/2024

Sniffs with Shelby Sue ❤️

05/22/2024

Brownie practiced some informal “place” exercises during her last enrichment hike.

Brownie is very excitable pup and has a tendency to get overstimulated easily, so practicing place is a good way to focus her energy and get her brain working!

Such a good girl!

05/21/2024

Miss Juno got to go on an enrichment hike with me yesterday!

Juno is 6 months old and has reached her “second fear period” so we spent a ton of time investigating new things and working through uncertainty.

She was such a good girl! ❤️

05/18/2024

Have you heard?

I am now taking registrations for group classes beginning 6/23 at The Animal Resource Cooperation in Hamburg, PA.

4 week classes= $100
6 week classes = $150

I need AT LEAST 7 more registrations to run this upcoming session— let’s get the word out!

Register here: https://AshleysAnimalAcademyLLC.as.me/?template=class

05/17/2024

Sully here, to remind you that sniffing and exploring can really build confidence and help with your dog’s mental health!

Sully has really come such a long way with his walks. His family has done an excellent job working through his reactivity, keeping his brain busy with fun training and helping him find his calm!

05/16/2024

Pippin was such a good boy during his last enrichment hike!

Although he can be reactive to other dogs on walks, we saw THREE and he stayed calm and didn’t react to any of them! He also got several compliments from passerby’s on his good behavior 👏🏻

05/15/2024

Sometimes cloudy/rainy days are the best days to go for a hike!

Less distractions, less people, cooler temps and more smells!

Jenna here agrees!

05/14/2024

Shelby wants to remind you that sometimes the path “most travelled” is also the path “most boring”.

Don’t be afraid to let your dog’s nose lead the way occasionally and take you off the beaten path (if it’s safe to do so!)
Your dog will thank you! ⭐️