About
Growing up in a small town amid mountainous landscapes and farms, Mairi developed an appreciation of the unique and beneficial bond shared by animals and humans. In the 1990s, she began to show interest in canine history, specifically livestock guardian and mastiff breeds. In over 25 years, Mairi's experience spans pastoral dogs, guardian dogs, draft dogs, law-enforcement canines, guide and service dogs - across both working and companion homes.
Mairi appreciates every corner of the dog world, but specializes in giant breeds. Her passion grew for these intense guardians with a formative encounter in Milan, Italy, 2001, with a pair of relic black Mastiffs. After transitioning professionally into giant-breed-specific work in the 2000s, she has spent years refining her understanding of their temperaments and the calm perseverance they require. Mairi acknowledges the physical and emotional stamina it takes to live and work with substantial animals. As modern life offers fewer suitable homes for these breeds, she provides management and training strategies so they can thrive safely and confidently in today’s world.
Mairi’s education includes work aligned with standards set by the International Guide Dog Federation, which evaluates both dog-training competence and the ability to safely instruct blind and visually impaired handlers. She also earned a B.S. in Animal Science and Technology from the University of Rhode Island’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences.
"Each one of us has a unique gift - this is the skill God has placed on my life, and I am here to live it out with everything I have." - Mairi