PUPDATE! Meet the Team: Devyn Trifari, Training Client turned Daycare Attendant!
Every once in a while, PUPS is lucky enough to watch clients turn into friends. Devyn Trifari took that a step further when she evolved from client, to friend, to PUPS Pet Club Team Member!
Devyn and her Sheepadoodle, Duchess, moved to Chicago in August of 2021. Duchess is super smart and easily picked up basic training skills, but Devyn wanted to continue her training so that she could ultimately become a Service Dog. However, she realized that there aren’t many facilities in Chicago that offer this type of service. Luckily, she stumbled upon PUPS Pet Club and more specifically, our Master of Training, Liz.
Liz, Devyn and Duchess met for a PUP Start lesson as a way to introduce themselves to one another. This PUP Start Lesson was also a great way for Liz to learn about Devyn’s training goals for Duchess. Devyn explained that Duchess was incredibly smart but easily distracted. She went on to say that she could really benefit from Duchess becoming a Service Dog.
Because of this, Liz suggested that Duchess and Devyn move forward with private training lessons. These consistent, individualized lessons allow for trust to be built between the three of them so that it’s even easier for training goals to be met. They started by doing lessons within Devyn’s home but eventually hosted some sessions in the River North Club as well.
This is when Devyn ultimately realized that PUPS was a close-knit, supportive community that she wanted to be a part of. She decided to pursue part-time, weekend employment with PUPS while finishing her schooling at Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Devyn says being a Daycare Attendant at PUPS is “barely a job” in her mind because taking care of dogs is incredibly fun to her. She loves getting to know each dog’s personalities and says that her scheduled shifts go by way too quickly. Devyn loves all of the dogs she sees in daycare but has a special admiration for Lala, the terrier mix. Lala and Duchess have a strong love/hate relationship with each other since they are constantly competing for Devyn’s attention.
As you can probably tell, Devyn is grateful for PUPS Pet Club for several reasons. First and foremost, private training brought Duchess and Devyn even closer together – Their bond is stronger than ever! Plus, Devyn gained a “great friend and big sister” in Liz. In return, PUPS is so thankful to have a kind-hearted team member like Devyn.