How Hearts and Paws became a family...
Learn more about our family on this page
Family History
Hearts and Paws had its modest beginnings in our home. We started there with small dog boarding and training as well as teaching classes in different areas around Austin. Diana helped develop the training programs for the volunteers at Town Lake Animal Shelter and the SPCA during that time. Our business has remained a family based business because it started with one family, the Smith Pack, who loved teaching others about the wonderful world of dogs. As our family grew and added on new families, it was time for Hearts and Paws to move to a bigger house. In 1999 Hearts and Paws moved to Volente Road in the North Austin Area in what is now its present location. In 2009, we are needing to expand our horizons even more and can't wait to share what the Smith Pack plans to do in 2010!
Our Mission...
To glorify God, the Creator, by providing excellent care and training for your canine family members, enhancing those family relationships for a lifetime.
And the LORD God said, "It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him." So the LORD God formed from the soil every kind of animal and bird.
Genesis 2:18-19a NLT
Diana Smith, CPDT
Diana Smith has over 25 years of training experience and is aCertified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT).She has over 2000 hours of study with some of the world's leading dog behaviorist including Dr. Ian Dunbar and John Rogerson. These course studies focused on treatment programs for separation anxiety, phobias, aggression issues (over ten types), obsessive compulsive disorders, as well as genetic and medical influences on these problems.In addition, Diana has worked with local animal shelters and rescue groups training volunteers on temperament testing and behavior management. Diana is a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator and holds classes for this program several times a year. Also, Diana has shown competitively in obedience, agility, rally, conformation, field trials, and working trials with several titles. Ten years ago Diana developed the first Austin area summer program for children and teenagers with their dogs (Club Pup). During the school year, host and advisor to the Travis County 4-H Dog Starz.
Trevor Smith, CPDT
Trevor Smith has 15 years of training experience and recently became a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT). He is also in continuing education through Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and apprentices with Diana Smith. He competes with his dog Blitzen at various competitions throughout the year. Blitzen also plays a key role as Trevor's assistant in basic obedience, agility, dock diving, private lessons, Paw Trek, and Club Pup.
Chip Smith
has been the GM of Hearts and Paws since it opened it doors for business.His main focus has been on the boarding and doggie daycare and loves hearing the stories of people's companions getting all excited when they get within a mile of the place.He has had canine companions of his own all his life and feels like each companion that comes to us is just like one of his.He also loves to cook all kinds of culinary delights and plays harmonica around town from time to time.Currently, his personal companion is a fun-loving Papillon named, Scout.
Nancy Naizer
Nancy Naizer began volunteering (and subsequently fostering dogs) with animal shelters and rescue groups in 1996, working primarily with the Austin Humane Society, Austin Pets Alive!, German Shepherd Rescue-Central Texas, and Austin Dog Alliance. She adopted her first dog, Stella German Shepherd mix, in 2003 and, after taking classes with several excellent area trainers, Stella achieved her AKC Canine Good Citizen certification. In 2007, Nancy became a part-time class assistant at Hearts & Paws Dog Training Center. She adopted Belgian Sheepdog mix Teddy in 2008 and has taken him through Basic Obedience, Foundation Agility, and Tricks 101. She plans to get certified with Teddy as a pet therapy team later this year. Nancy is currently working to become an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Recent training seminars include Canine Body Language with Sarah Kalnajs and Ethology of Dogs with Dr. Ray Coppinger and Ken McCort.
Nancy has a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Texas at San Antonio and an Associate degree in Graphic Arts Technology from Austin Community College. When not working with dogs, Nancy does graphic design for a non-profit organization as well as other clients. Nancy and husband Greg live with two dogs and two cats; they attend Riverbend Church.