Anita began her career in 1980 as an Early Childhood Educator. Her husband gave her their first Samoyed in 1988, Barbicon's D'Artgnan. Early on in D'Artgnan's training, it was evident he needed a "special ed" teacher. By the time D'Artgnan was two years old, he and Anita had been through the Beginners classes of five different schools. Anita was at her wits end (no "special ed" canine instructor in sight) when a vet tech at her vet's office told her of Top Dog Obedience School.
In the fall of 1990, Anita made a phone call to what would be the last canine school she and her "kids" will ever attend. Betsy and Linda were caring and understanding and gave D'Artgnan what every Samoyed needs: focus and a job. With hard work, training and lots of pushing from Betsy and Linda, D'Artgnan was trained through Utility Dog, earning his CD with 3rd placement, CGC, and H.I.T. Anita and D'Artgnan trained extensively in agility and amateur sled dog racing.
Anita got her first exposure to animal care and handling from having to care for numerous pets from the family's cats and dogs to her father's horses [harness racers]. This early exposure brought Anita to yet another dog sport, sled dog racing. With her second dog, Barbicon's Maximus Munchkin, call name "Munche', Anita ran her first two dog team. During the Blizzard of 1993 the team was featured in the Bernardsville News, Observer Tribune, and the Sentinel. In 1994 Anita added a third dog Pippin (a Siberian Husky owned by Jan Haring) to the team, subsequently placing 2nd and 3rd in local races.
Betsy and Linda brought Anita to new heights of companion dog ownership. In 1991 Betsy hired Anita to join the Top Dog Team of Instructors as an Assistant. Training under Betsy and Linda, Anita earned a position as a Top Dog Instructor. Linda has also employed Anita as an assistant trainer on both photo and T. V. commercial shoots. Anita's third Samoyed Kit "Kitana" is currently featured on an A&P Brand Canine Foods Product Package. Kit has earned her CD with second placement, CGC, and ranked eleventh in the Samoyed Club of America in 2000. Kit is currently training in Open Dog, Utility Dog, Carting, and Tricks Class for fun. Anita's fourth Samoyed is Oblanka's B My Valentine, "Kira". Along with training in Novice Classes, Kira is training in Agility and Carting.
Anita is also a graduate of North Jersey School of Grooming.
Anita brings to the classes the insightful knowledge passed on from her mentors, her energy, excitement and games of learning are enjoyed by the young as well as the seasoned student. Family, friends, and students have all asked, "… why did Anita ever leave the teaching field…?"; response "…she didn't change occupations, she just changed species!"
