LEXINGTON, VA, July 30, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Cher Grindle McCoy has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ms. McCoy has excelled as an animal behaviorist and Professional Trainer and is currently the owner of Lexington Pet Care Center. She started her Dog Fancy career in California 30 years ago. Deeply saddened after the loss of her German shepherd, Tiga, Ms. McCoy left the corporate world with a major company and entered the Dog Fancy. She initially considered establishing a pet ambulance service, but her veterinarian had convinced her otherwise. Deciding to purchase a pet store instead, her customers began inquiring about training classes and she would refer them to other locations that offered those services. Eventually, Ms. McCoy began learning how to train dogs through a Breeder/Trainer who was happy to mentor her. Soon after completing her dog training and having a steady clientele training dogs, it wasn't long before Ms. McCoy focused her efforts on animal behavior specializing in dogs, cats and domestic birds. Ms. McCoy was also known to help children and their parents with behavior problems with other animals such as rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs.
In 1991 Ms. McCoy, who is originally from Maine & New Hampshire, sold her Pet Store in CA and moved back east to Virginia to be close to her family who relocated there years earlier. She started a new business, Lexington Pet Care Center. She has excelled as an animal behaviorist and is the only one in her area. As an expert in animal behavior, she has extensively studied the psyche of dog and cats as well as other animals so that she can educate people on why animals act the way they do. Renowned locally as the "Dog Whisperer of Virginia," she stresses the importance of understanding that she is not just an animal trainer. Unlike trainers, behaviorists can understand animals to better determine their needs and to offer behavior modification where needed. One of the most important aspects of animal behavior is explaining to the owners which methods are used with children that also can be used with animals and which cannot.
Ms. McCoy became Training Director of Caring Canine Companions (CCC), an organization in Virginia that trains service dogs who are rescued from local shelters and trained by the CCC staff. After training the dogs, the recipient gets training with their new service dog that is provided free of charge. Ms. McCoy has always been proud to give these dogs a second chance. In addition, she does special classes for Search and Rescue (SAR) dogs that are due for re-certification and the handler needs help, like one dog who suddenly no longer would get on a plane.
Ms. McCoy often contributes articles to various dog magazines and is interviewed by various authors who are regular contributors to several dog magazines. She notably authored a very interesting column in Pug Talk Magazine for 10 years that included behavior modification tips and Canine Freestyle which she introduced to the east coast from California and Canada where it started. These performances were done locally and every year at the Pug National which is held in a different state each year. Ms. McCoy name the dance troupe The Prancing Pugs. She got the idea from her background as a professional dancer and figure skater as this sport is judged with two scores just like figure skating. In addition, Ms. McCoy introduced dog agility, a very popular sport today, to Virginia.
Ms. McCoy also completed an unpublished book about her pug, Sushi which should be published soon as she just acquired an illustrator. From 2012-2016 Ms. McCoy had two weekly radio programs, Pet Education with Cher McCoy and a program on politics. In 2016 Ms. McCoy purchased a Pack and Mail store to combine both of her businesses under one roof. After her cancer treatment she decided to do private only classes and no longer agreed with the dog fancy on group classes for many reasons. The new location gave store front appeal, retail space for pet products, books and gift items as Lexington is a tourist town.
Ms. McCoy's new claim to fame is she believes she has the only store in the country where you can mail a package and get a free dog-training tip. She also gives free seminars on Animal Behavior. She and her dogs have entertained cancer kids who spend a week annually at a local camp. Every year she also mentors a Washington & Lee University student in politics.
Ms. McCoy earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology as well as certifications in her area of expertise, a degree in accounting, graduate of Grace Downs School of Modeling in NYC, Graduate of Leadership Institute in DC and Graduate of Grassroots Leadership Academy in VA. Among her professional affiliations, she is President of the Valley Republican Women and is a member of the Virginia Federation of Republican Women (VFRW) and the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW). She is also former Chairwoman of her local Republican Party and former VFRW District Representative of the 6th Congressional District in Virginia. Ms. McCoy also participates with Constituting America, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that serves to educate children on the U.S. Constitution.
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