Joan James

Joan is the head technician here at the Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital (PVVH). She has been working with animals for over 10 years. Joan has been interning at Working K9 Services where she assists with teaching puppy kindergarten, adult obedience and other behavioral classes. She has been attending seminars on behavior and training to further her expertise in this area. Joan became a Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator in February of 2011.

Faye DeBoer

Faye graduated from the veterinary technicial program at Holyoke Community College in 1987 and worked at PVVH from 1984 until 2000. She and her husband, Dr Henry DeBoer, have been owners of Working K9 Services since 1999, and ran training classes at Boston Road Animal Hospital in Springfield for many years.  They are also breeders of quality German Shepherd dogs and Pembroke Welsh Corgis.

Dr. Henry De Boer Jr.  

Dr DeBoer owned and practiced veterinary medicine at Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital from 1975 to 2000.  His involvement with working dogs dates back to the mid 1960's when he began training and handling hunting dogs. In 1984 he became involved with the sport of Schutzhund and has gradually risen to the level of national competitor. Known primarily as a motivational trainer, he provides training assistance to others to help them motivate dogs to learn and achieve their training goals.

His wide range of experience also lends a unique understanding to the special veterinary problems of working canines and their handlers.