Meet the Trainers
Monica Tidrick
Monica Tidrick was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut, where she grew up heavily involved in the animal world. She was an avid volunteer with the local animal shelter helping to rehab and place homeless dogs. Monica worked as a veterinary technician in Connecticut and New Hampshire for a total of 16 years. That experience taught her compassion for assisting animals in need and learning how to medically care for them. This medical training has proved very valuable in treating each behavioral case from all aspects of the dog's life.
In 1995, Monica enrolled in a Master Trainer’s course at National K-9 in Columbus, Ohio and continued her goal in learning how to help animals, not only in the medical field, but also by means of communication and behavior. Directly following her certification as a Master Dog Trainer, she returned to Connecticut to begin training. After a very successful first year, craving a more rural setting for herself and her animals, Monica moved to New Hampshire and began her new business, The Unconditional Canine.
Monica has been serving the New England area for over 25 years, offering her behavioral and training techniques to owners, in hopes of developing healthier and happier relationships between them and their trusted companions. Monica is known for her patience specialty work with reactivity, aggression, anxiety, and other undesirable behavioral problems.
Monica has extensive experience with rescue animals and their specific training and behavioral needs. She also has a soft spot for herding breeds, as she has four “cattle monsters” of her own. If you are looking for behavioral consultations, private basic obedience sessions, behavioral grooming/veterinary handling, and much more, please email tuc@chewiesplayland.com to get started!
Makenna Chaput
Makenna Chaput has been with Chewie’s since our South location first opened, first as a daycare attendant, then moving her way up to manager/trainer. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Behavior with a minor in Mental Health Rehabilitation. Makenna has a passion for creating a healthy bond between owner and dog to maximize therapeutic benefits and minimize behavioral problems. Service Dog training has always been a peak of her interest. She has completed a certification program for Advanced Canine Training and Service/Therapy Dog Training through Animal Behavior Institute.
In the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she started helping Monica with virtual daycare practice sessions. Monica would instruct Makenna via Facetime on what to do with the client’s dog. She has also been a huge helping hand in our foster dogs’ rehabilitation and placement into forever homes. Post-college graduation Makenna went full time to assist in Monica’s lessons, as well as assist daycare staff in understanding and correcting behaviors. Now she is working on building her own clientele.
Makenna has 4 rescue dogs and 2 axolotls. 2 of her dogs are on our demo team, Rio and Pemi. When she isn’t working, you’ll find her at a local bookstore, adventuring up north with her dogs, or making dog collars and toys at home.
If you want to book a private basic obedience session, agility/confidence boosting session, tricks class, water treadmill, or service/therapy dog training session, please email training@chewiesplayland.com to get started!
Training by The Unconditional Canine
Policies:
There is a 24-hour cancellation policy due to the demand for training sessions and the number of late cancelations or no-shows. There will be a cancellation fee added to your account. Multiple cancellations may result in the session being pre-paid for or having a card on file to process the cancellation fee.
All training packages bought are good for 1 year from the date of purchase, they are non-refundable.
Health Requirements: All dogs that wish to enroll in our training programs need to fill out the regular Chewie’s Application along with the Training Consult Application. They also need to be current on their puppy series and/or up to date as an adult with Rabies, Distemper, Kennel Cough and a negative fecal check. Applications are available printed at both Chewie’s locations or can be found on this page under the forms tab. Please email training@chewiesplayland.com for any additional questions!