6 minute read
Cover Story
Sami Jo Menning: Unleashed Passion for Life
By Margaret Pennock
Photos by Kelly Middlebrooks | Little White Dog Pet Photography
Dog Whisperer. Outdoor addict. Lover of inspiration and purpose.
As vibrant and high-energy as the dogs she works with, professional dog trainer Sami Jo Menning is a force to be reckoned with. Charming and genuine, she radiates with a purpose that most people twice her age rarely achieve. As a trainer and K9 Behaviorist, she has discovered how to perfectly blend her love for what she does with how she works and lives.
Originally from Chancellor, she has made her home in Sioux Falls with no plans to uproot anytime soon. Not sold on following the traditional pathway to a traditional lifestyle, Sami Jo instead chose to follow her heart. After growing up immersed in the outdoors with her father who worked as a hunting guide and avid hunter, she knew she wanted to tie her love of working with dogs, passion for the outdoors and educating others to her career path.
Thrilled with Sami Jo’s career direction, her parents and sister embraced her choice and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. She remembers, “I didn’t want to go to college because I didn’t know what I wanted to major in. I had completed a high school senior project for search and rescue with my German Shepard Blu, and it really got me hooked on training dogs.” She smiles, “I loved working with her teaching from very foundational to very advanced things and I knew I could do more with it. Once I determined I could make it a career, I went to a training school in Texas and am now a Canine Training Specialist and Behaviorist working with dogs from puppy to advanced off leash. I credit a large part of my success to such a great support system when I showed interest.”
After finishing her training, Sami Jo was blessed to find the job of her dreams waiting for her right in Sioux Falls. “I got back a few months before Paws Pet Resort opened in February of 2018. I just happened to see them on Facebook and saw that they were growing so I reached out to them. The positions were full but I sat down to talk with them anyway. My immediate connection with the Owner and General Manager was just amazing and I truly believe it was God sent. It was perfect timing and placement and they hired me on as the Daycare Manager.”
Today Sami Jo is the Training Manager and Head Trainer at Paws Pet Resort and is also in charge of program innovation. An AKC Instructor, she is also Fitdog Certified and committed to expanding her education between multiple organizations including the International Association of Canine Professionals. Proud that the resort, or Paws as Sami Jo calls it, provides incredible and unique training opportunities including dock diving, canine fitness, AKC titles and many levels of classes; she credits owner, and now close friend, Jeanine’s encouragement to utilize her talents to share her knowledge and passion with local dog owners. “I want people to enjoy their dogs for what their dogs are intended to do; communicate, train, perform, live their dogs' life so that their lives are enriching each other. I love to teach and help develop owners with their dogs. Everyone gets comfort from having a dog even if that’s having that support from a living breathing creature next to you that is up for anything with you.”
In addition, Paws is committed to giving back to the community, a fact that touches deep within Sami Jo’s soul. “I love being a part of Paws but the fact that they are Mission based really called to me. We donate $5 of every boarding fee to charity, which includes Mission Haiti and Partners Worldwide as well as two more charities that are selected annually. It’s an amazing experience to be a part of something as special as this.”
Off the clock, working with dogs doesn’t stop at the end of the day. Sami Jo and her boyfriend
–Sami Jo Menning
Justin have four fur babies including her German Shepard Blu, Lola the Corgi, Ray a Dalmation and Tex her Black Labrador. Sharing a love for the outdoors and hunting, they are constantly busy competing in dog shows, dock diving, hunting competitions or enjoying time in the wild with their best friends.
And when Sami Jo isn’t working at Paws or spending time with her own dogs, she’s sharing her love for the outdoors encouraging other women to do the same. “I came across a ladies group that focuses on getting women outdoors and I knew I needed to be a part of this. I coordinate events for women with Her Wilderness, a group that provides experiences to encourage women to get outside and enjoy hunting, fishing and the outdoors. I’ve helped with a South Dakota pheasant hunt, South Dakota snow goose hunt and an upcoming Fall Goose hunt as well as a concealed carry class. Typically I’ve led six to 20 women on these adventures. In addition, I’ve attended multiple fishing trips put on by other coordinators.
Living life to the fullest, Sami Jo couldn’t be happier with how her life has been blessed. “I love my life and love living how I am right now. We stay so busy with my dogs we don’t have tons of time on our hands but I’m content where I’m at.” She continues, “My purpose is to be at Paws for right now because I love what I do, I love the purpose, I love having this type of work atmosphere because I know it’s very rare and few and far between. I want to help Paws keep growing, changing and doing better for the world. I like to have big goals and make changes and I think by working somewhere like this I can do that. I hope to keep growing and bring things to the dog training world. This includes dog training competitions for my own personal dogs and the hope that I can keep providing opportunities for women to get outdoors and do things for their dogs.” n
