Whole Dog

 Alison Tanner has been a pet lover for, literally, as long as she can remember. Her very first memory is welcoming her Dachshund puppy Rudy into her life and her heart when she was just two years old.

As Chief Canine Officer of Whole Dog Integrated Training & Wellness (“Whole Dog”), Alison integrates and applies her knowledge and skills in the areas of pet behavior, grooming and bodywork. Her approach benefits both dog and guardian. Dogs look and feel their best and learn to express themselves joyously yet respectfully with other people and pets. Guardians enjoy the convenience of having a variety of their pets’ non-veterinary needs addressed in one place and, in some cases, in the same visit. Guardians also receive the education and support they require in order to provide optimal care to, and nurture the most mutually beneficial relationship possible with, the creatures they love and cherish.

In addition to supporting pets and their guardians directly through Whole Dog, Alison also works with companies in the pet industry to develop and implement growth strategies including new business line development, strategic partnering and mergers and acquisitions. This work keeps her attuned to the latest trends and products in the pet business, which benefits her Whole Dog clientele, while her “hands on” experience as a service provider enriches her effectiveness as a growth advisor.

In her non-working hours Alison is a volunteer puppy socializer and trainer for Canine Companions for Independence, a not-for-profit organization that provides assistance dogs to individuals with disabilities, free of charge. She and her own "canine companions" Moose (Black and Tan Coonhound) and Luna (black and tan “mutt”) are certified through Share-A-Pet, a pet-assisted therapy volunteer organization, to work with those in need of physical and emotional comfort and healing. Alison also promotes the person-pet bond as a trainer for, and competitor in, the obedience-related events of the American Kennel Club®.

Alison is a graduate of the Nash Academy, a leading national dog grooming school, and the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure & Massage. She has been active with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, the National Dog Groomers Association and the International Association of Animal Massage & Bodywork.