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    • HOME
    • ABOUT US
      • LCDT STORY
      • LCDT HISTORY
      • LCDT METHOD
      • THE GOOD NEWS
    • DOG TRAINING SERVICES
      • LCDT CONSULTATION
      • LCDT PRIVATE PROGRAMS
      • LCDT APPRENTICE PROGRAM
      • LCDT CLIENT PACK WALKS
    • RESOURCES
      • CANINE VACCINATIONS
      • PUPPY TRAINING
      • DOG TRAINING TIPS
      • CANINE THYROID EPIDEMIC
      • EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOG
      • THERAPY DOG TRAINING
      • SERVICE DOG TRAINING
    • TESTIMONIES
    • JOIN OUR MISSION
      • CONTACT US
      • DONATE
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • LCDT STORY
    • LCDT HISTORY
    • LCDT METHOD
    • THE GOOD NEWS
  • DOG TRAINING SERVICES
    • LCDT CONSULTATION
    • LCDT PRIVATE PROGRAMS
    • LCDT APPRENTICE PROGRAM
    • LCDT CLIENT PACK WALKS
  • RESOURCES
    • CANINE VACCINATIONS
    • PUPPY TRAINING
    • DOG TRAINING TIPS
    • CANINE THYROID EPIDEMIC
    • EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOG
    • THERAPY DOG TRAINING
    • SERVICE DOG TRAINING
  • TESTIMONIES
  • JOIN OUR MISSION
    • CONTACT US
    • DONATE

LIFE CHANGING DOG TRAINING™ WORKSHOPS

In the United States pets are being re-homed, relinquished and euthanized at massive rates, but the number one reason animals are relinquished to SHELTERS and RESCUES is not because there are not enough homes for them, it is due to BEHAVIOR ISSUES.  So rather than focus on the problem of PET OVERPOPULATION and mass spay and neutering to solve mass killings in our country, we are focused on the problem of RELINQUISHMENT, and helping animals stay in their homes by empowering people with knowledge tools to save lives.  


There is so much confusion in the dog training world with the myth that every dog is different so we need to change our training program for every dog. This is why there is so much confusion on the part of the pet owner to understand how to help their animal is because every person or Dog Trainer will say something different, and this does not help dogs, it actually hurts them by causing more confusion. 


This is why we are on a mission to teach owners our "Life Changing Dog Training™" Program, "The Good News for All Creatures" so that people will have the tools to help their dogs for the rest of their life. And to connect people with resources and teach pet owners how to use ALL TRAINING TOOLS available to them.  This same process can also be used by people wanting to get into the animal industry as they will have the skills necessary to help change lives, hence the name of the program.


We also developed  the Communicative Leashwork Process® which uses the slip lead as a primary communication tool to begin with a special type of pressure/release training and a method called which will open up communication lines between humans and dog.  This training works for every dog, with any behavior issue, even dogs with disabilities.  We would love to show you how we to change not only dogs lives but the humans lives too! 

 

"THE GOOD NEWS FOR ALL CREATURES"

WORKSHOPS OFFERED FOR:

Pet Owners

Animal Businesses

Animal Non-Profits

Animal Shelters 

Animal Rescue Organizations

Pet Expos & Events

USPS Safety Symposiums

School Education Programs

Veterinarian Practices

Senior Living Therapy Programs

Dogs in Classrooms

Prison Programs

Veteran Programs

Church Programs


Life Changing Dog Training Training testimonies

"Until someone experiences it, they won't understand how much you can really help them."  -Katy R.


"I learned more in one hour from you, than months working with other trainers."  -Sara M.


"You showed me in a half hour what we have been struggling with for two years."  -Jennifer R.


"You taught me more than two sessions with you than my entire life with 25 dogs." -Lisa H.

HEAR MORE TESTIMONIES

THE LCDT STORY

Growing up I always felt a strong connection to animals, helping injured birds, dogs, cats, goats, possums, you name it I tried to save it. However I didn't fully understand animal issues on a larger level or that God had a plan for me working with animals until much later in my life. I spent much of my youth rebelling against authority, a rebel without a cause, getting into trouble and searching for ways to alleviate the pain in my life. I found myself in unhealthy relationships without the tools to help myself or the people and animals I loved.  And because of that I developed depression, anxiety, addictions and self esteem issues, and like most people, I could not see that I was the one that needed saving. 


My passion for animals was sparked in college in 2002 and I focused my studies on animals in society.  But I was devastated to learn about how we were treating animals in our society, especially the euthanasia happening at massive rates in our country and felt compelled to do something about it.  After graduation I found it hard to find jobs working with animals, so I volunteered with local animal rescue groups and started M.A.W.S. in 2005 delving into the world of animal welfare partnering with the local animal control facilities in the city and county.  During this time I also struggled with my own dogs serious behavior issues. I contacted trainers, rescues, and behaviorists who unfortunately could not help me.  I was left feeling hopeless and frustrated feeling like those dogs were failed by a system, because I did not have the tools and resources to help them. 


After working jobs in social work with children and seniors I decided to start a pet sitting business in 2007 where I gained tools and knowledge about animals.; how to care for them, how they communicate, and how to work with them by building relationships.  Then I decided I wanted to share my knowledge with others in order to help animals and their humans on a deeper level with dog training and rehabilitation.  I was determined to figure out how to help dogs with serious behavior issues that were facing death if we could not get their behaviors under control.   So I traveled around the country working with the top dog trainers; studying their systems and combining my knowledge to create the  Life Changing Dog Training™ Program and Communicative Leashwork Process®.


In 2013 I was the first trainer to bring this style of training to the Greater Omaha Metro area, and once I started successfully rehabilitating dogs, I quickly began to make a name for myself in our community with Dharma Dog Training, as the Best in Omaha, Dog Training Company as well as the go to for anyone wanting to start a career in the animal industry. So I created a Mentorship Program so that other people did not have to go through what I went through trying to get into the animal industry.  People told me I was crazy for training my competition, but for me this work has always been about helping as many animals and humans as possible. Because of this I am proud to have created a network of dedicated, pet professionals with a knowledge and skill set above and beyond what was previously available to animals in our area. 


Despite my success professionally, in 2020 after over 20 years in the animal industry, seeing the best and often the worst sides of humans, I hit the lowest point of my life. I did not want to live anymore and I didnt think I could continue doing this work.  Thankfully because people were willing to share God's message with me, I found Jesus and because of His grace, He saved my life, delivered me, redeemed me and set me free. I now understand God gave us these animals for companions to look after, and experience unconditional love so that we would know we are not alone. I learned, even though saving animals is important, more importantly the humans must also be saved, and without that we cannot truly help animals and each other like God wants us to. 


This is why I decided to dedicate my life to Christ and share the "The Good News For All Creatures." through Life Changing Dog Training™. Because I know what it's like to lose people and animals you love without the information and tools to help them. We all have a purpose for our lives, and by spreading the message of hope and healing and by working together, we can help more animals.  Thank you for taking the time to read my story about how God took my rebel heart and gave me a cause.  I hope you consider joining our mission, because God's work has always been done by His people.


May God Bless All His Creatures,


Kelley McAtee, Founder & Dog Trainer

LIFE CHANGING DOG TRAINING™

"The Good News For All Creatures"

LCDT HISTORY

2002 MIDLANDS HUMANE SOCIETY started from Independent Research Project at Creighton University, focusing studies on animals in society.  

  • Animals' Roles in Society; studied zoos, pets, animal testing, factory farming, animals as food. 
  •  Animal Assisted Therapy; benefits to humans. Pet Overpopulation; locally and nationally. Independent Research Project on our local Council Bluffs Animal Shelter. 
  • Southwest Iowa Humane Society; organized of the rescue groups and gov't agencies in SWIA. Organized Grass Roots Effort; City Officials, Mayor, Director of Public Health, Animal Control Officers and local Rescue Groups to raise awareness about the need for a humane society in the City of Council Bluffs, Iowa.   


2005 MIDWEST ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY was founded focusing on animal welfare, humane education and sheltering in our community.   

  • Midwest Animal Welfare Society was founded; focusing on humane education and animal rescue.   Partnered with the Pottawattamie County Animal Shelter; coordinating volunteer program & adoptions.  
  • Started grassroots campaign with rescue groups in SWIA that evolved into the Midlands Humane Society Started a project for a much needed humane society in our community in Council Bluffs, IA. 
  • Iowans Against Breed Specific Legislation; educating our citizens and law-makers on the negative affects of BSL while promoting dangerous dog laws. 
  • Developed Pit Bull Adoption Protocol at local humane societies to adopt pit bulls outside city limits. ​ 


2007  Started PAWFECT PET SERVICES pet sitting & dog walking company gaining animal behavior knowledge.  

  • President of the Omaha Pet Sitters Association.  
  • Won Scholarship Pet Sitters International. 
  • Volunteered at Nebraska Humane Society; walking dogs, & leading training classes. 
  • Member of Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Obtained  10,000 of animal handling skills. 
  • Managed team of Pet Sitters to service entire Omaha Metro and Council Bluffs area.  
  • Began studying with top dog trainers around the country.  


2014 Founded DHARMA DOG TRAINING and brought balanced training to the Greater Omaha Nebraska and Southwest Iowa Area to help thousands of dogs and owners in need.  

  • Won Best in Omaha 6 Years in a row.  
  • Professional Member of International Association of Canine Professionals.  
  • Traveled the country to work with top trainers to bring balanced training to the IA/NE Area. Developed first Apprentice Program for people wanting to get into Animal Industry. 
  • Regional Symposium for USPS Postal Workers to prevent dog bites and attacks.  
  • Put together Roverfront, the first Animal Welfare Conference in our community to educate the public on animal services and resources in our area. 


2020  MIDWEST ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY, INC. comes full circle, refocused and rebranded as the HEARTLAND'S HUMANE EDUCATION CENTER.

  • Decided to dedicate my life to Christ, got Baptized, Born Again and started Christ centered non-profit.  
  • Focusing on humane education and continuing to raise the status of animals in our society.  Continuing to connect, educate, assist and advocate for animals in our community.  
  • Pet Industry Mentorship Program teaching other pet professionals how to thrive in animal industry.  
  • Featuring our programs in schools, prisons, long term care facilities and other places in need and website with community resources, businesses and programs to help animals and their humans. 


2022 LIFE CHANGING DOG TRAINING is rebranded to continue helping more dogs and their people change and save lives.

  • Educating people on "Life Changing Dog Training™" Program to help change people's lives with their dogs, while sharing the Communicative Leashwork Process® to teach others and help more animals.  

CONTACT US TO SET UP A WORKSHOP TODAY!

Copyright © 2025 Life Changing Dog Training - All Rights Reserved.


In Person Dog Training in Pottawattamie County for Council Bluffs, IA and the Greater Omaha, NE and surrounding service areas. Offering Virtual Online Training & Workshops Nationally & Internationally. 


IOWA: Council Bluffs, IA, Cresent, IA, Oakland, IA, Treynor, IA, Silver City, IA, HoneyCreek, IA, Neola, IA, Missouri Valley, IA Ponca Hills, IA Glenwood, IA, Pacific Junction, IA, Glenwood, IA, Silver City, IA, Mineola, IA, 


NEBRASKA:   Omaha, NE, Papillion, NE, Murray, NE, Elkhorn, NE, Waterloo, NE, Yutan, NE, Gretna, NE, Ashland, NE, Springfield, NE, Cedar Creek, NE, Lewisville, NE, Plattsmouth, NE, Bennington, NE, Blair, NE 

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“THE GOOD NEWS FOR ALL CREATURES”

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