Jeff and Erik sat down with Laura DeMaio Roy - a certified guide dog instructor and placement specialist for Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation where she trains and places German Shepherd Guide Dogs with clients throughout the US and Canada. She has been training pet and service dogs for 10 years. She also runs a YouTube channel called DoggyU where she helps owners train their own service dogs with practical, positive reinforcement-based step-by-step training instruction. Laura has performed with her dogs all over the country, spoken at national and state conferences, and her dogs have appeared in print media ads. Outside of her career, Laura enjoys traveling in her van with her two dogs, Jake and CoolWhip, and visiting national parks around the U.S. Most recently, she has helped Erik with his latest guide dog, Zena.
Laura DeMaio Roy has been training pet and service dogs for 10 years with a specialization in guide dog training and instruction. She has run successful dog training businesses in Connecticut and Colorado and currently owns DoggyU LLC where she runs a popular YouTube channel and helps owners train their own service dogs. Her YouTube channel, DoggyU, brings practical, positive reinforcement-based step-by-step training instruction to those who may not otherwise have access to it. Her channel also covers product reviews, dog lifestyle videos, service dog training, and dog and van travel videos. Laura has performed with her dogs all over the country, spoken at national and state conferences, and her dogs have appeared in print media ads.
Laura is a certified guide dog instructor and placement specialist for Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation where she trains and places German Shepherd Guide Dogs with clients throughout the US and Canada. She holds a BA in Business and Entrepreneurship and a Masters degree in Public Administration with a certification in Public and Non-Profit Management from the University of Connecticut.
Outside of her career, Laura enjoys traveling in her van with her two dogs, Jake and CoolWhip, visiting national parks, hiking solo or with her husband, playing disc, training tricks, herding, bikejoring and jogging with her dogs, and generally exploring everything the US has to offer. She has officially visited all 50 states!
Fun Facts about Laura:
- she placed her first guide dog she ever trained with her father (his first guide dog)
- she gave up a corporate internship to shovel poop at White Oak Conservation Center where she worked with hoof stock (zebra, bongo, giraffe etc.), cheetahs and more
- she didn’t own a dog until she was hired at Fidelco at age 22
- She loves to take extended trips living in her van up to 2 months at a time exploring the US with one or both dogs
Subscribe to Laura's YouTube Channel for the latest dog training tips, enrichment and travel advice.
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Visit Laura's website for more.
Learn more about Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation