Bre Ponder - Owner & Trainer
Bre has been professionally training dogs since 2013. Her passion started while working with the Belleville Area Humane Society (BAHS). Watching great dogs being returned for issues that she believed were quite easy to fix gave her the motivation to help them become more adoptable. Since then, her experience has grown through working with other trainers locally and nationally. By learning a variety of new methods with the understanding that every dog learns differently, Bre has developed an effective and considerably positive style of training. She began Helping Hounds in 2019 by working with local shelters and building skill sets in their volunteers and staff.
Ashley Holbrook - Training Manager
More than just our training manager, Ashley is also the smiling face that greets our clients and their dogs when they drop off each morning.
​
Ashley first started working with dogs in rescue several years ago, and has successfully fostered over 20 dogs. There have also been a few foster fails along the way, and she has a beautiful pack of six much-loved dogs. Rounding out the household, she is married with two teenage daughters.
​
Deja Harmon - Trainer
Deja started working with dogs as a kennel technician at Mon-Clair Animal Hospital, and then got into dog grooming at Aunt Kat's where she learned handling, care, and relationship building with dogs. Her most recent work before stepping into dog training, was caring for hospice and paralyzed dogs along with a variety of other animals at Randy's Rescue Ranch. Deja loves reading, hula hooping, and exploring with her dog Darth Vader.
Jo Bauza- Trainer
Jo has previously worked at a local dog daycare and boarding facility. They began as a client of Helping Hounds, then grew their skill sets even more after becoming a trainer here.
Kate Ramseur - Office Manager
If you ever contacted Helping Hounds, then there's a good chance you've spoken with office guru Kate! She handles all of the day-to-day workings of the office and has been known to pop into playgroups and training rounds - usually to steal some puppy snuggles!
​
Kate is a lifelong horsewoman who grew up riding hunter/jumpers and is now a dedicated Dressage Queen. She and her family own a horse farm in Waterloo, where you can find her during non-work hours chasing after her husband, three kids, horses, and beloved Corgis.
​