It wasn’t until she and her husband, William, adopted their first German shorthaired pointer, Colter, in 2005 that they began to realize that working with dogs is truly where their skills and passion resided. A family member undergoing long-term rehabilitative care in a Boston, Mass., facility asked Catherine to bring her pet cat for a visit. When the visit came to the attention of other patients, the staff of the hospital was amazed to see the transformative, motivating effect it had on all the patients, who crowded into the visiting lobby. Upon her return from Boston, Catherine and Colter embarked upon a course of study to become a pet therapy team. At six months of age, Colter earned his Canine Good Citizen “CGC” certification from the American Kennel Club. At just over a year of age, Colter earned his Therapy Dog International Certification, the Delta Society Pet Partner (now called Pet Partners) certification as well as titles in AKC Rally (RN) and obedience (CD). Despite being diagnosed with cancer and having surgery to remove a mass and part of his left lung in December 2016, Colter underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and recovered. In 2017, at the age of 11, he got back to work and earned the AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN), Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI) and Advanced Trick Dog (TKA) titles. He is currently working to become one of the first Courtroom Canines in a new program designed to help young children navigate required court system appearances.

In 2008, the Zehners rescued a five-month-old Australian Cattle Dog that changed their world. They credit this sick, fear-aggressive, abused, reverse-housetrained and untrusting puppy with making them into better people and trainers. “We had to make a list of the most dangerous behaviors and just work down the list fixing them,” Catherine recalls. Since that time, Rory has earned his AKC Canine Good Citizen certification as well as a AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN), Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI) and Advanced Trick Dog (TKA) titles.

In 2013, they also rescued a year-old Norwegian Elkhound named Copper, who has earned his AKC Canine Good Citizen certification as well as a AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN), Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI) titles. The Zehners also live to serve their domestic longhaired cat, Vincenzo, that William rescued in 2001.

In their spare time, the Zehners enjoy competitive sailboat racing, gardening, boating with their dogs and competing in the occasional agility trial. Catherine and Colter still do occasional volunteer work at local hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

The DogSmith of The Emerald Coast, Florida offers Dog obedience training, private dog training classes, dog behavior counseling, group training classes, canine board and train programs, latch key dog training, canine good citizen training, puppy star training, puppy socialization classes and a selection of pet care services, in home pet care, pet sitting, canine slumber parties, dog walking, pet waste cleanup and overnight pet sitting services. We service the following areas, Port St. Joe, Mexico Beach, Wewahitchka, Callaway, Springfield, Parker, Cedar Grove, Panama City, Panama City Beach, Lynn Haven, Fountain, Youngstown, Laguna Beach, Sunnyside, Seagrove Beach, Seaside, Grayton Beach, Rosemary Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Miramar, Niceville, Valparaiso, Bluewater Bay, Eglin AFB, Destin, Sandestin, Fort Walton Beach, Freeport, Ebro, DeFuniak Springs.