Meet The Team
Every member of our team at The Dog Wizard is extensively trained and comes to you with the knowledge, technique, and passion for what they do that enables them to understand the best and proven methods for your success as a dog trainer and business owner. This allows us to capably support you and help address a wide range of training and business needs. Each one of our franchisee’s is unique and we work closely with you to We believe that the success of every franchise is linked to the ability to work effectively with our franchise owners to put them on a path to success. We ensure that we are transferring all of our skills to each new member of the Wizard family and uphold our commitment to the success of your business.
Gretchen Hollifield
CEO
Gretchen Hollifield
I always knew that I wanted to work with dogs for a living, but I had no idea what kind of a roller coaster I was in for when I started this journey. After graduating from college, I decided to try a more traditional career choice, but quickly realized that I was miserable in the office setting. I needed to be with dogs and preferably outside. So, I decided to go back to school to become a dog trainer.
After investing a considerable amount of money at dog training school, I had big plans but it didn’t work out the way I had hoped. I loved being a dog trainer, but I only made enough money to just get by. So I spent the next 6 years figuring out the ins and outs of what made a successful financial dog training business, allowed for a retirement plan (like every other small business owner), which programs were most rewarding, and what produced the happiest clients, and of course what produced the happiest dogs. Next, I started The Dog Wizard in 2005 and never looked back. I finally felt like I had a career instead of a job. I also felt like I had a future that I could plan and prepare for retirement one day.
Soon after, it was incredible how many aspiring and struggling dog trainers started reaching out for help. And I quickly figured out that there was a void in the market to teach aspiring and existing dog trainers how to do what they love without sacrificing their career, income, freedom, and happiness. As a result, I decided to franchise The Dog Wizard to fill this void and help future dog trainers live the dream that I was living.
Fast forward many years, and The Dog Wizard has become even bigger and better than I ever dreamed. We have assembled an incredible team of knowledge and experience to make this opportunity even better. We have so many people that help make this system the best in the world for dog trainers, owners, and dogs everywhere! If owning a successful dog training business is your dream, then you are at the right place!
Grant Reeves
CFO
Grant Reeves
Grant has served as our Chief Financial Officer since January 2020. He also serves as the Chief Financial Officer for ITK9 Company, LLC and ITK9 Finance, LLC in Medina, Ohio since September 2019. Grant has also served as the Chief Financial Officer for The Dog Wizard Academy, LLC from August 2019 to February 2020 in Medina, Ohio. From September 2017 to September 2019,He was the prior CFO of the Upbeat K9 Franchise Corporation in Medina, Ohio. From 2005 to the present, Grant serves as the CEO of Dock Dogs Inc., the CEO of Fun Guys, LLC and the CEO of Grant Reeves Holdings in Medina, Ohio.
Jason Watson
VP of Sales and Business Development
Jason Watson
Watson has an extensive background in sales, marketing and product development both in the B2B space as well as B2C. His career fields have included high tech, manufacturing, and direct to consumer commerce. In 2006 Jason used his various skill sets to start his own company, Dublin Dog Co., a specialty dog products manufacturing company. After successfully launching the brand and growing the market to over 1,700 retail locations in 20+ countries he was acquired by Remington Outdoor Company in 2012. Since that acquisition he remained as the president of Dublin Dog and became the Director of K9 for Law Enforcement and Defense which he developed. In 2018 Watson started his second company, Recon K9, a highly specialized manufacturing company that designs and produces canine tactical gear for the military, defense, and law enforcement communities. His global customers include Federal defense agencies, Tier One groups, and law enforcement communities in over 10 countries.
As an equity holder of the Upbeat K9 franchise company, Jason was instrumental in the merging of the Upbeat K9 with The Dog Wizard and came on board as the Director of Franchise sales. In addition to his role as head of sales, he also oversees all national vendor relationships, private label product development, and the management of the online resource center.
Noelle Woodhead
Director of Franchise Operations
Noelle Woodhead
Noelle has been a part of The Dog Wizard family since 2011 when her path as a trainer started. Noelle is a prior franchisee owner in Charleston, South Carolina from 2012 to 2016. She was able to help a lot of clients and their dogs have a better life and gain more freedom. With her first hand training knowledge of and knowing what it was like being on the other side as a trainer, Noelle helped build the central office support team that was able to grow by leaps and bounds. She helped instill a culture of family, compassion and passion that continues to develop today. Noelle has grown with the company in different aspects on the corporate team since 2017 in capacities relating to the development and growth of the franchise locations. She has served as the Director of Franchise Operations for The Dog Wizard since January 2020. She spends her time continuing to develop and grow The Dog Wizard trainers through continuing education and their businesses so that the organization can help even more people than we already do! She brings a unique perspective to the team by having been a franchise owner and now being a part of the support team for the success of the local franchise locations. She spends most days working remotely on her boat in Charlotte, North Carolina or traveling and visiting the local training locations with her ride or die Huckleberry.
Katie Chasen
Director of Franchise Sales
Katie Chasen
Along with recently working with The Dog Wizard Katie has been working with DockDogs, Dueling Dogs and Magic of Lights as Office administrator assistant & Fleet Manager & Travel Coordinator since 2017.
When she’s not working hard at the office, Katie can be found enjoying the outdoors with her husband and dog.
Gigi Zampunis
Graphic Designer
Gigi Zampunis
Gigi has been working as a graphic designer professionally for 3 years. She graduated Cuyahoga Community College, with honors in Magna Cum Laude, completing her associates degree in Visual Communications & Design in May 2017.
Along with creating graphics for The Dog Wizard, Gigi is also a Graphic Designer and Social Media Coordinator for DockDogs, Dueling Dogs, Magic of Lights, and K9 SuperWall.
She has helped create the look and branding for Dog Wizard, along with creating speciality flyers for all locations, updating and maintaining The Dog Wizard website, and more!
Kevin Dockman
Webmaster
Kevin Dockman
Kevin is our in house webmaster! He makes sure your website is in excellent working order and is protected within the network. If you are having difficulty accessing the back end of your website this is who you want to contact. He provides and manages the online presence for The Dog Wizard brand. He is our backend guru!