Discover AthenaPetica: Where Compassionate Care Meets Scientific Excellence
Every paw print tells a unique story. Listen, and you willl understand.
About AthenaPetica
Welcome to the intersection of passion, science, silliness, and the profound language of canine companionship here at AthenaPetica. My name is Jacci Newel, MD MS, and I am pleased to offer you my premier pet-sitting services, dog walking, drop-in visits, obedience training, and behavioral consults. I found my joy three decades ago when I fell in love with dogs and dog training in college, but it took me 30 years to let outside perceptions go and pursue what I wanted - to make your dogs smile.
My path to you has not been linear. I began my career as a physician, skilled in internal medicine diagnostics, and went into pathology. It took me a while to realize that my skill set was better suited to serving people in a different way. I loved science and education, so I went into teaching and animal behavioral neuroscience research.
The time I spent in research gave me a rich experience very relevant to what I do now, and I realized that I truly have a knack for working with animals and people. I received a top-notch didactic and practical education in animal behavior and settled into my love of teaching. I adore absorbing new information and sharing it with others, but I am far from boring. I prefer smaller groups and 1:1 teaching because it is energetic and interactive! I also get to know my students and teach in a way that appeals to individual learning styles and gives practical applications to my students.
In every dog's eyes, I see a story. I see another one when I look into yours.. You wish for your sweetheart would JUST BEHAVE and it is frustrating when they don't. I have been there. Then, I was trained to understand that successful training hinges on our ability to learn "dog" and communicate "dog" clearly and consistently, as they do not understand "human." Your dog has tremendous potential they cannot wait to show you, and I can guide you so that it may be unleashed.
My mission is to bridge the gap between human expectation and normal canine behavior. I seek to foster a dialogue rooted in kindness and empathy. I take a holistic approach to behavioral and physical health, backed with scientific insight.
As I continue to deepen my understanding of canine behavior and psychology, I am reminded that the journey is as much about teaching as it is about learning — You and your dog have a bond and there is a shared language that transcends words. Observe. Watch for it and learn to understand. Training is guided by compassion. A dog is not an object that exists for your convenience. Differences exist between breeds and individual dogs, and it's up to us to meet their needs so they can be our loving and well-behaved companions.
Let me be your go-to partner and a trusted member of your pet care team. I offer a standard menu of services, but what sets me apart is my ongoing commitment to continue to learn more to improve for you: I continue to take continuing education and earn certifications in canine training methods, behavior, and health. I keep building upon my firm scientific and applied knowledge base to be there with you to help unlock the fullest potential of your furry family member, working towards a stronger, more joyful bond. Because at the end of the day, it's not just about training dogs, but about enriching lives — theirs and ours.
With training, I leave you with some food for thought. I work under the umbrella of LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) requirements set forth by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. I use humane and scientifically proven tactics to create lasting changes. We use reward, reinforcement, and repetition to shape desired behaviors. We do not punish, shame, shock, harm, or scare our pups. We redirect.
It requires a great commitment on your part. It will take time, patience, and consistency, but it will pay off in ways that ripple through every interaction, command, and tail wag. Welcome to AthenaMedica,— where every dog's journey is a story, and every story is a stepping stone to a deeper connection.
Secure Online Payment
Ensure the safety of your transactions with our secure online bill payment system for pet services.
Contact Us
Schedule An Appointment
We love caring for pets! Schedule right here on our site for a meet and greet, or to make any pet services appointment. If you have a special request, send us a message, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Hours
Today | Closed |