Hillary Alexander, Dog Behavior Specialist and Trainer
Hillary Alexander received her MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and practiced as a Marriage and Family Therapist throughout the 90’s. After working for several years in group homes for troubled teens and their babies, she moved to North Carolina where she was appointed Communication Strategy Advisor for the Clinical Genetics Group at GlaxoWelcome during the Human Genome Project.
Aside from her passion for dogs, Hillary is an accomplished equestrienne and has ridden competitively for over 30 years in both hunt seat and dressage. She works equally well with dogs and their humans, helping each to understand the needs of the other and to communicate those needs in ways that build trust and strengthen bonds.
Ilene Pearce
Ilene Pearce has been a College Professor and Counselor for 40 years. As a School Counselor and Therapist she has used dogs in sessions to help adolescents regulate their emotions and develop new ways of coping with a variety of issues. She also created a video with her Sheltie Collie, Callista (pictured) to teach safety lessons to students at her school. She has raised, trained and loved Shelties – and assisted in puppy births for 23 years.
Ilene has walked and boarded puppies and dogs for Hillary’s Hounds since December 2010 and is dearly loved by all of our canine friends.
Our Canine Team, aka “Angel Dogs”
The Fourth Element – Our Angel Dogs; from L, Laker (2 year-old Golden), Bailey (1 1/2 year-old Golden/Doodle), Ralphe (4 year old Chow mix, laying down) and Tesla (10 month old Lab/Doodle in front). Standing behind Bailey is formerly dog-aggressive Jasmine (5 year-old Lab/Doodle).
We use our Angel Dogs frequently to model good canine behavior, help adolescent dogs settle and help behaviorally challenged dogs relax and learn better ways to behave. We like to say these guys are the Fourth Element in Day Training; right after the first three: Exercise, Training and Socialization.
You’ll see lots more of these wonderful dogs in upcoming training videos, like the one on Recall, which includes Ralphe and Tesla.
