Meet Blythe Bouchard | Multi-Certified Professional Dog Trainer & Behavior Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Blythe Bouchard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Blythe, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my own business after a lifetime of chasing after entrepreneurial dreams. I was the kid who was always thinking – “oh my gosh I love this! I bet I could make a business from it.” Sometimes that’s unhealthy and can prevent me from enjoying things just for fun, but in this case, it did really help. I had just gotten very sick and medically withdrawn from college. I decided a service dog would really improve my quality of life and wanted to go through the process myself with a trainer. As I worked and trained, I realized how much I loved it. I started taking certification classes, volunteering at rescues, and observing trainers that had amazing methods and experiences. Once I was certified, I started my own business coaching dog guardians. I am so glad I did – it’s changed my life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The thing I am MOST proud of is that my community is full of other disabled, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA individuals. Accessibility is a strong value in my business, and it makes my heart so happy to see that our community is full and thriving inside. My programs for service dog training are some of the most affordable in the industry, and with our scholarship programs, we are able to help folks who may have not otherwise had access to them. I am really proud and happy about those things above all.

Business wise – it hasn’t been easy. The clients have always been amazing, but it has been hard to find help without being taken advantage of. I’m really thankful that now I’m at a point where things are running smoothly, and the folks helping me behind the scenes are kind, compassionate, and supportive. I work with two of my closest friends now, who are not trainers but rather a project manager and a therapist. Having a therapist on staff to help me with the emotional parts of owning a business has been the best decision I’ve made.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would definitely take them up to Estes Park to see the pretty mountains, the snow, and the shops. I would take them to Downtown Fort Collins to find a celiac safe restaurant (my favorite is Locust Cider) and walk around the shops and fun scenery. We’d head to Denver to visit Meow Wolf and the Aquarium. And in a separate trip because it deserves it’s own, we’d go to the denver museum of nature and science.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Leslie McDevitt, Adam Skandarini, and Kasey Nash. All three of these amazing folks played a pivotal role in my learning, motivation, and encouragement to become a trainer myself. Leslie is the main inspiration for my training methods and has transformed the way I help guardians with reactive dogs. She is an incredible friend, mentor, and I am so thankful for her. Adam was mentored by Leslie as well and was one of my first online colleagues who I felt completely comfortable and safe with. They have spent countless hours helping me navigate the social world of the dog community as a young autistic dog trainer. I really really appreciate them. Kasey Nash was the first person to help me with my own service dog, and has continued to be a source of friendship, inspiration, and kindness for me. She is amazing.

Website: www.deltatails.com

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Image Credits
Life in Full Bloom Photography