Team Member Spotlight: Ashton Wells

Meet Ashton, the Resort Manager and Dog Trainer and Behaviorist at Taylor Crossing Animal Hospital in Montgomery, Alabama. We took some time to interview her and ask about her time at Taylor Crossing, and how she’s adapted her role in the midst of COVID-19.

Explain to us a little bit about your job at Taylor Crossing Animal Clinic.

I have a dual role as the Resort Manager and Dog Trainer and Behaviorist. As Resort Manager, I oversee our doggie daycare and boarding facilities, which includes caring for and engaging with our awesome canine clients! As the Dog Trainer, my main mission is to improve the quality of life of dogs and humans by encouraging them to grow deeper and more meaningful relationships by learning and working together.

How long have you been working at TCAH? 

I have currently been at TCAH for almost two years, but I also worked here as a Kennel Technician in my late high school and early college years, so in total, almost five years!

How did COVID affect your job? And what changes did you make because of COVID? 

COVID affected us in many ways. Our resort saw a drop in boarding numbers due to people not being able to travel. Our daycare remained open to help our clients care for their dogs, but we shifted our operations to keep everyone as safe as possible. We started a daycare drop off and pick up drive thru.

As a Trainer, COVID has meant that my group classes have been put on hold. While I still offer private lessons (with social distance precautions), I have had many clients express that they miss the things that group classes have to offer. To help bridge that gap, I have created several online clinics via Facebook live that my clients can watch from the comfort of their homes! I have a moderator that reads questions to me in real-time so that they still get to interact with me and have their concerns addressed immediately. It has been so much fun and we will probably continue to do them even after we’re allowed to meet in group classes again!
 

What is your proudest accomplishment since working at TCAH? 

I don’t know if I can narrow it down to one moment, but my favorite thing about training is seeing the relationships between humans and their dogs grow into deep family-like bonds. When you work with your dogs and teach them how to develop manners, they become easier to live with and more enjoyable to be around. It makes me proud to know that I have helped improve the quality of life of a dog by improving their relationship with their humans.
 

Describe your TCAH family in 3 words.

Passionate, hard-working, hilarious

Do you have a new “quarantine hobby”? 

I’ve always been a “crafter,” so I’m painting and building things. I’m also learning to weave!

Anything else you want to tell us/the community about your training program at TCAH? 

Impulse control training is not only the best way to develop manners, but it can also be life-saving! I believe that all dogs are good dogs, and impulse control training helps unlock that potential! I’d love to help you develop an awesome relationship with your furry family members!


You can learn more about Ashton and Taylor Crossing Animal Hospital by clicking this link https://taylorcrossingvet.com/