Miranda developed her canine and feline counseling and training skills by mentoring under area behavior consultants. She has over 5 years concentrated experience in applied animal behavior and training. She is study-a-holic and loves to read anything she can get her hands on about applied animal behavior – learning theory in particular.

Miranda is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT), a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and is a Certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Miranda specializes in multi-pet households, aggression, separation anxiety and feline behavior. She is a dedicated volunteer in the SPCA’s Behavior and Training Department for which she has written several educational handouts for adopters, been a regular speaker at their Good Dog! and Cool Cats! Volunteer Training seminars, and is a feline foster parent.

She and her husband share their home with their dogs Apollo, Artemis and their cats Adara, Rane and Aleph.

:: Photo By Wild Eye Photos ::

Tracie is a Buffalo native who has a work history rich with experience working with and for animals. Her dog handling skills are due in part to her time as a dog -walker when living in New York City. We are sure that experience has given her confidence in handling dogs of all shapes, sizes and personalities. She has been an obedience instructor for PetSmart which has given her confidence and experience teaching both dogs and their owners how to better communicate with each other. She also spent time working at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Hospital in New York City.

What we are most impressed by is Tracie’s recent experience as a student graduating with honors from the San Francisco SPCA’s Dog Trainer’s Academy. She spent time working with and learning from very well -respected and experienced canine behavior professionals Jean Donaldson and Janice Bradley. Jean is the author of several books about canine training and behavior. They include Culture Clash, Mine!, and Dogs Are From Neptune. Janice recently published a definitive statistical review and discussion of the emotional and often overly -sensationalized subject of dogs bite in her book, Dogs Bite, But Balloons and Slippers Are More Dangerous.

No other animal care professional in the WNY area has completed this intense 6 -week program. We are very proud of her work there and the rave reviews she has received. We are very happy to have Tracie on our staff!

:: Photo By Wild Eye Photos ::

Apollo joined Miranda and Avi in the summer of 2004. As a former cruelty case, Apollo understands the challenges many dogs endure trying to unlearn bad habits while learning more appropriate ones. He is particularly gifted at providing care and affection or orphaned kittens.

Cross-species communication is his forte. He has earned his Canine Good Citizen certification.

:: Photo By Wild Eye Photos ::

After the passing of his former owner in 2006, he found himself in need of a new job. He found his way to Purrfect Paws. After doing a flawless job as the Interim CFO he was offered a permanent position.

His hospitality skills are excellent as evidenced by his daily practice of greeting the visitors to our facility. He contributes to the Purrfect Paws monthly newsletter with his own feline related column.

:: Photo By Wild Eye Photos ::

Abandoned by his only owner in the spring of 2006, a friend of Miranda's arranged for him to come to Purrfect Paws. After several months of trying to find the right job, Franz unexpectedly threw his hat in the ring for a training position. He has exceeded our expectations beyond our wildest dreams. He is very clicker savvy and learns new tasks with ease and enthusiasm. He even provides training demos for our obedience class information sessions. Franz is proof positive you can teach an old cat new tricks!

Vladamyr is a four year old red-tail boa constrictor. He is about 9 ’ long and weighs almost 30 lbs. He was adopted from the SPCA in January 2006 by Miranda’s brother Alex. He spent one year in Ohio before relocating to Purrfect Paws while Alex finishes his undergraduate studies.

His friendly and intensely laid-back nature has earned him the nickname (and theme song!) “The Hippy Hippy Snake”. He enjoys observing the daily activities at Purrfect Paws from his custom-built office. To visit him during office hours check with Miranda as she is in charge of his busy schedule.

Gregory Silas found his way to the Purrfect Paws staff after being rescued from a horrible situation in which his entire family had a contagious and potentially fatal disease which was untreated. A Good Samaritan rescued all four of them and nursed them back to health with care and compassion. Miranda met Gregory and instantly knew that he would fill the Exotics Expert position with ease. To meet this unique insectivore ask Miranda about his office hours!

Magellan was named in honor of another famous explorer who stayed with us for a year before traveling across the Rainbow Bridge in November 2007 - Columbus. Even though there were no open positions in our feline department at the time, he convinced us that he would serve as the understudy to our senior cats Timothy and Franz who will retire at some point in the future. When that happens, Magellan will have learned everything he needs to know do fill their shoes. We are very happy that he chose us as he has already proven to be a unique personality who has reminded us that when one life ends another begins.