Welcome to the
Nip
It
in
the
Bud
Website.
-
Hi, my name is Mary Zopfi. I am the proud
owner of 2 wonderful yellow Labradors, a clumsy Great Dane, and
several
lovable rare breed "mutts" (as well as several cats).
-
I received experience in emergency care, surgery,
routine preventative medicine, and animal pediatrics by serving as
surgery technician at South Rhea Animal Hospital for many years.
My love for animals started at a very young age. I
have seen first hand the many benefits that animals contribute to our
human existence. I have spent a great deal of time working with animals
of all types. Whether it was during my time working at South Rhea
Animal Hospital or volunteering with pet therapy, I have seen the
human-animal bond that transcends words. The unconditional love
that touches and heals, not only our hearts, but that of a child
suffering in a hospital or an elderly person longing for companionship.
This love
is proof that animals are not our whole life, but make our lives whole.
I have owned and been around animals all of my
life. I guess my official training story really starts with the day that I
volunteered to be a puppy raiser for the
Southeastern Guide Dogs.
They sent me a wonderful, yellow Lab named
Drew. He was such a joy
to have! Because he was a Southeastern Guide Dog, he got to go
everywhere -- Restaurants, Shopping malls, Veterinary Clinics,
Retirement homes, any and everywhere. After he reached 18 months, I was
broken-hearted to have to sent him back for his service dog training.
But, the story doesn't stop there!
When Drew was retired from the Southeastern Guide
dogs, he was offered back to me to keep. I, of course, jumped
at the chance to have him back. I started using him to visit
with the residents of our
retirement home. I enjoyed the looks of joy and wonder on the faces of
the people whose lives he touched.
After raising Drew, I decided that I was desperately in
need of another yellow Lab, and so I acquired
Gracie.
And, after raising and training my 2 intense dogs, I
decided to slow it down a little and purchased
Roadway.
At this point in my life I was working as surgery tech
at South Rhea Animal Hospital, spending evenings supervising puppy
classes at South Rhea and also spending any free time doing in home
residencies with client dogs. I was feeling a little overwhelmed
as you can imagine. So, it was at that point that we decided to
change our lives a little. And, in 2002 we purchase an 18 acre
farm and I began converting it into what has now become .....
Nip
It
in
the
Bud
Mary Zopfi, Certified Dog Trainer
630 Pinnacle Lane
Dayton, Tennessee
37321
423-298-5026
Email: zopfi@volstate.net
My Staff:
Linda:
A Florida transplant from Port St. Lucie. After
vacationing in the beautiful mountains of Tennessee, she
decided to relocate here permanently with her husband of 15
years, Jamie and 10 yr old son George. Her
four-legged children include 7 dogs and 5 cats! Linda is my
right "paw" with the daily activities of maintaining
NIP
IT
facilities as well as PLAYTIME!! The dogs LOVE her and get
an extra treat when her son comes with her to romp and play
with the pups. I am VERY thankful to have such a wonderful
employee that enjoys doggie kisses and tail wags as much as
she does! Linda has a natural gift with animals and is
quickly learning more and more of the training side of the
business.
