Laura Schorrak   Daycare Manager, Group Training Assistant     I grew up on the south side of Milwaukee. We always had animals from dogs and cats to guinea pigs and goldfish. I was also lucky enough to grow up in a neighborhood that had friendly neighbors and more importantly friendly neighbor pets! I was constantly around animals where ever I went. I learned quickly a respect for animals that eventually grew into a great love. When I was a senior in high school we had to help my best buddy, my Golden Retriever Mix, Alex, across the rainbow bridge. He and I had grown up together (from kindergarten through most of high school) and he was a major part of every memory I have from those years. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Shortly after that, I was planning on leaving for college and my mom was moving, so we didn't get another dog. I was dog-less for many years mostly because of roommates and finances. Once I felt I was able to properly care of a dog, I adopted Kelly, my 2 yr old chocolate lab. Kelly came with many health problems. He also had little to no training from his previous home. His lacking of training is what brought me to Giene and The Dog Den. At UW-Madison, I studied microbiology. It didn't occur to me to actually study animals until about half way through college. I added on a second major, zoology, and made my focus animal behavior. When I graduated, I went into research but kept a passion for behavior. And as I was getting ready to get a dog, I turned my focus to dogs and dog behavior. Once I adopted Kelly and began to train him, I realized how much fun it is to work with dogs. That's when I began my training at The Dog Den. My favorite part of working with the dogs is learning the individual's "dog-ality" (like a personality!) and adapting the training methods to work for that dog and that dog's human. I find the dogs teach me as much as I teach them (and probably more some days!!) In addition to my research work and training with The Dog Den, I am a volunteer with Labrador Education and Rescue Network (LEARN) which is a rescue group that helps find permanent homes for neglected or homeless labs in northern IL and southern WI.       Email: laura@thedogden.com 608-278-PLAY (7529)