Tails of the Team: Meet Refna and Oscar

Courtney and Refna

Welcome back to the Unleashed Blog! In this edition of our Tails of the Team series, we’re excited to introduce you to Courtney’s beloved pets, Refna and Oscar! As one of the newest members of Off Leash MKE, Courtney brings a wealth of experience and a whole lot of heart to our team - not to mention the amazing photos she takes of your pets too! Read on to learn how her pets have influenced the care and dedication she brings to our clients every day!

What are your pets’ names, species, breeds, and ages? How did they come into your life?

In my little house, I have Refna, a hyper 5 year old German Shepherd and my childhood kitty, Oscar, who is 18 years old!

What are your pets’ personalities like? Any quirks or unique traits?

Refna is a working line German Shepherd with the demeanor to match! I've had her since she was a puppy, and at times she still acts like one. She's needy, goofy but dedicated, protective when need be, and friendly to all. Refna lives and breathes for her ball and will chew on it for hours on end. Her name means "Raven" in Old Norse. Refna has even climbed a 14'er, Mt. Elbert!

Oscar was found next to a garbage can as a kitten when I was just 8 or 9 years old - that’s how he got his name "Oscar the Grouch". However, Oscar does not live up to his namesake; he is ridiculously sweet and needy. At 18 years old, he still plays a good amount, reminds me to feed him by stepping on my face, and loves to be cradled to sleep.

How have your pets influenced your approach to pet care?

Immensely! Oscar was around while I was beginning to learn the empathetic influence of animals. He has taught me that kindness gets you far, and the love of an animal is everlasting.

Being my “Helper Dog”, Refna has shown me how important it is to read and interpret a dog's body language, and most importantly, when to have patience with myself.

Are there specific challenges you’ve faced with your pets that have made you a better pet care professional?

When we got Refna as a puppy, she kept me on my toes constantly. Being a working line, she was bred to have a high drive and need for a job. We had to find outlets for her energy in the form of enrichment, positive reinforcement, and purpose.

How do you incorporate Fear Free principles when caring for your pets?

My aim is for an animal in my care to feel as comfortable as possible when I walk through that door. Not rushing, having patience, creating a calming environment, and taking the care at the pet's pace has helped me be successful throughout my career.

What’s your favorite way to spend time with your pets?

Oh, we love to hike! Getting out to a trailhead and exploring as much of the world as we can. Refna and I spend the summer months gardening - she helps pull weeds and dig holes for me. Oscar loves getting his brushes and lives for snuggling at night time.

How do you keep your pets mentally and physically enriched?

I try to tailor my dog's enrichment to her breed. Since she is a herding breed, we play chase with a Flirt Pole and work on her impulse control. Having her "drop" the toy on command, wait until she hears "tug" to go after the toy, and constant check-ins to her body language are necessary for dogs with a bred-in job. Without it, it's possible she would fulfill her need to herd on people, cars, kids, or small animals. Oscar wouldn't like that very much haha!

Are there any particular games, exercises, or routines you do with your pets that you recommend to clients.

Got any recyclables in a bin waiting to go out to the curb? Fill up a box with cardboard, old newspaper, toys, and whatever you can find, then sprinkle their dinner or breakfast in it! The dog gets to use their nose, mouth, and brain to have their meal. It helps to tire out your pup and stimulate the senses they would use to find their dinner in the wild.