Sharon Perry, Director of Training, has had a life filled with dogs. She started training her Collie, Chris, when she was only six years old.

Sharon, after a long term career in Chemical Engineering, was forced into early retirement. What some people would have considered a devastating blow, she used as an opportunity to begin her second career, utilizing her passion for dogs. And so began Southern Star Ranch Boarding Kennel and K9 Training Center.

The business now includes training in obedience, tracking, narcotic and arson detection dogs for police work, termite detection dogs for home inspectors and pest control companies, and most recently, peanut detection dogs for people with food allergies. Southern Star Ranch also offers courses to train dog trainers. Over the years, Sharon's dogs have been placed in jobs from Alaska to New Hampshire, from Florida to Arizona, as well as internationally.

Sharon’s philosophy of training trickles down to her associates and colleagues; the entire training staff focuses on using utmost patience and consistency when training any of the dogs in their care.

Her greatest reward as the Director of Training at Southern Star Ranch is seeing well trained dogs happily working for their satisfied owners, not to mention hearing how one of her dogs put a bad guy off the streets. One of her proudest moments was learning that one of the dogs she trained was named the “top dog” in New Mexico.

Sharon has found increased satisfaction through the Peanut Dog Program. She can provide individuals, often children, who have life-threatening food allergies with a new found independence through peanut detecting dogs. It has been a joy hearing the updates of her most recent placement.

Sharon currently lives with a pack of five rescued dogs, two rescued cats, two goats, two horses and nine cows, all of whom worship her.

A novel Leslie picked up from an elementary school library opened her eyes to canine behavior and communication, and the rest is history!

Leslie Staven has been actively training dogs for over two decades, concentrating on coaching owners to become better able to understand their dogs’ behavior, communicate effectively with their dogs, provide leadership within their “pack” and, thereby, having a well mannered dog as a member of their family. She has competed and titled dogs in AKC obedience trials, been involved in showing Rottweilers in AKC and CKC dog shows, taught adult, as well as children-only, training classes and enjoyed the company of dogs throughout her life. Throughout the 25 years of training, Leslie has had the opportunity to personally train breeds from every recognized group within the American Kennel Club, many that aren’t “recognized” and a multitude of mutts!

“As a teenager, I had the chance to mingle with five wolves (hybrids), which were allowed to run 'loose' on a ranch. At first, they avoided me, then they ignored me - then I started ‘talking dog’ and, suddenly, I was accepted and 'talking' for hours!” Through Leslie’s childhood experiences and an innate understanding of animals, she found the complexity of dog behavior and communication came naturally to her; her belief is that communication and leadership are the most important parts of training dogs.

Leslie already had clients across the nation when she joined Southern Star Ranch as an obedience trainer. Her interest in detection work increased and she was allowed to join the detection program. The dogs she’s trained in the narcotic, arson and termite programs are methodical, hard-working, fun-loving and happily working across the US and in Holland. She is currently focused on the Peanut Dog Program and, through this, she has fulfilled a goal: to train dogs for a higher purpose and to improve the lives of the people they serve. Leslie finds it incredibly satisfying to watch a child gain confidence and independence, and a new level of safety, because of a dog she has trained.

Leslie currently owns a Border Collie, a Labrador Retriever and two cats; one cat has been trained to reluctantly sit, roll over, down, sit up, high five and jump through hoops. She has trained a Siamese Fighting Fish, cats, horses, and a lamb.

Since his arrival at Southern Star Ranch, Ronnie has trained some of the best narcotic detection dogs in the state. Dogs he has trained for narcotic and arson detection have been placed across the United States and internationally. Ronnie is also involved in the termite and peanut detection training program.

Although Ronnie finds the detection work the most interesting and challenging, he has proven himself to be a skilled obedience dog trainer. When asked the most important part of training a dog, Ronnie responds without hesitation: “Patience.”

With patience, consistency, respect and fairness, Ronnie is an excellent trainer and the results are dogs which are happy, responsive and eager to please. “The most rewarding part of this job is to see the satisfied customer when they come to pick up their dog and their pleasure seeing their dog transformed from an unruly, wild thing, to a happy obedient companion!” Under his breath, he adds that the most disappointing part of the job is witnessing the abuse reflected in the eyes of some of the dogs we help rescue groups rehabilitate.

Ronnie owns three dogs: two German Shepherds and a Border Collie/Labrador Retriever mix. His dogs are a part of his family and, along with his wife, Jerry, travel across the United States every year.