Shel Graves Animal Consulting FAQs
Get answers to frequently asked questions about who, what, how, and where Shel Graves Animal Consulting provides dog training, dog and cat behavior help, and animal chaplaincy services. Don't see the answer to your quick question here? Schedule a free discovery call.
Ready to get help? Book your initial consultation now.
Who Can Shel Graves Animal Consulting Help?
Does Shel Graves Animal Consulting work with dogs, cats, and farmed animals ? The answer is, "Yes!"
Can you train my adult, rescue dog?
Yes, absolutely! Your adult dog can learn, replace troubling behaviors with helpful ones, and enjoy training time for some mental exercise and fun.
Do you help with cats?
Yes! I have trained and created behavior plans for shelter cats. Cats are trainable and deserving of care. I can help you troubleshoot and resolve litterbox issues, nighttime yowling, keeping cats off keyboards and countertops, and help with cat introductions with dogs or other cats.
Can you train a cat?
Yes! And there are a few things it’s particularly helpful to teach cats: to love going in a crate (to make vet visits easier!), to appreciate handling, and where to spend time and hang out (away from countertops, stovetops, and laptops, for example).
Do you work with puppies?
Yes. I can train your puppy in your home and help with socialization if you are pressed for time. I can answer your behavior questions and troubleshoot issues you may be having (puppy biting? house-soiling?). I do not offer puppy classes though, which I would recommend for most pups. I can point you to some great classes and teachers.
What about pigs, goats, sheep, cows, & chickens?
Yes! I have worked with farmed animals and they are trainable and can learn to participate willingly in their care with the same techniques I use for dogs and cats. I am happy to coach caregivers in these techniques or provide training sessions.
What Services Does Shel Graves Animal Consulting Provide?
Do you see private clients, speak to groups, and provide consults to shelters? The answer is, "Yes!"
Do you work with private clients?
Yes! Shel Graves Animal Consulting offers in-home private dog day training and offers private lessons and coaching.
Do you offer consults to shelters and rescues?
Yes! I can help with behavior assessments and plans, provide staff and volunteer training, and assist with creating animal care policies and procedures.
Do you speak to groups and offer training?
Yes! And I am a Fear Free Speaker and a Fear Free Coach. Check out my events page for upcoming classes and workshops.
Do you help animal sanctuaries?
Yes! These include workshops, trainings, and animal chaplaincy services to help with compassion fatigue.
When Can Shel Graves Animal Consulting Help?
Animals are always learning. From the moment we bring them into our home until their end of life. It is never to early or too late to get expert help with training and behavior.
Can senior dogs learn?
Yes, absolutely! Your senior dog can learn, replace troubling behaviors with helpful ones, and enjoy training time for some mental exercise and fun.
Can you provide pre-adoption counseling?
Yes! If you are thinking of adopting a new dog or cat and have questions such as where to adopt from or whether a rescue will fit in with your family, I can answer your training and behavior questions and provide recommendations. Set your new family member up for success! Book an initial consultation here.
Do you offer pre-puppy and pre-kitten counseling?
Yes! Do you want to set your little one up for success? I can help get you and your household ready for this addition and help you choose your friend, if needed. This can save a lot of training challenges, stress, and heartache later. Book an initial consultation here.
What is An Animal Chaplain?
An animal chaplain provides nonsectarian emotional and spiritual care for human-animals who care deeply for other-than-human animals and for the animals themselves. An animal chaplain provides compassionate listening, connects you with your systems of meaning-making, and offers practices similar to those that help with compassion fatigue or empathetic distress. Shel Graves is ordained by the Compassion Consortium, an interfaith, interspecies, and interspiritual center.
Do you offer an in-person pet loss support group?
Yes. An in-person companion animal loss support group will be offered at 11 am, Saturdays, beginning Nov. 16 at Everett Unity Center for Positive Living, 3231 Colby Ave., Everett, 98201. Email for more information.
The Compassion Consortium offers a great online support group.
I also offer one-on-one support. Book an Ask Animal Chaplain session.
Can I Tell People About Shel Graves Animal Consulting?
Yes, please. Even if I am not available or not the right person to help with a particular human-animal issue, I can connect you with vetted resources and qualified help. Friends don’t let friends wander the internet in search of help for animals. One of the benefits of earning credentials is joining some amazing communities of people who not only care about animals, but have taken the time to learn more and earn some amazing specialty cred. If I am not the right person to assist you, I can connect you with someone who can.
Where Can Shel Graves Animal Consulting Help?
We're based in Everett, Washington, see clients in Snohomish and King Counties, and offer online consults.
Our homebase in Everett
Shel Graves has lived in Everett for more than 25 years. Serving North Everett neighborhoods (Riverside, Bayside, Delta, Northwest, Lowell, Port Gardner, View Ridge Madison, Harborview Seaview Glenhaven, Boulevard Bluffs, South Forest Park, Glacier View).
In-person along the
I-5 corridor
Everett, West of I-5 Snohomish County and North King County
(Edmonds, Mukilteo, Snohomish, Marysville, Tulalip, Kayak Point, Stanwood, Mill Creek, Lynnwood, Shoreline, North Seattle)
Outside of service area (Island, East King, East Snohomish, and Skagit counties) travel fee may apply.​
Virtual consults
Available anywhere. Your initial consult includes tips for immediate relief, a training and behavior plan, and qualified resources (And referrals, if needed. We love to put you in touch with experts who can help you in your area!).
How can Shel help?
Based in North Everett, Washington. Serving West Snohomish County -- and virtual clients.
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