Meet the Owners — Chris & Kim
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Chris Palermo
Chris Palermo, CPDT-KA Chris grew up on a lake and always had an interest in wildlife, animals and dogs. At the time, most of his pets were all encased in a glass salt-water reef tank, where he maintained and propagated a large number of corals and tropical saltwater fish. His Read More
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Kim Palermo
Kim Palermo CPDT-KA, CCUI, Level 1 TagTeacher BlueDog founder Kimbery Palermo is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Certified Control Unleashed InstructoBlueDog founder and trainer Kim Palermo has been training dogs personally for 25 years and professionally for over 10 years. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Certified Read More
Our Office Team
Tori
Tori grew up in the South Shore, and made her way to the North Shore when she went to college at NSCC. While obtaining her Animal Care degree, she leaped into the world of dogs, beginning as a daycare attendant before transitioning to walking for BlueDog in 2020. Walking led Read More
Sue Nowak
Sue grew up with animals and has always had a passion for them. When she moved into her own home (years ago) she got her first Bernese Mountain Dog Tucker. He was an amazing worker who introduced her to the fun world of clicker training and dog sports. Since Tucker, Read More
Jodi
Jodi’s journey to working with animals wasn’t a straight path. While she always had a passion for it, the direction wasn’t always clear. After earning her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Harvard University Extension School at 39, she realized her night school education hadn’t provided the hands-on experience she Read More
Our Trainers
Kim Palermo
Kim Palermo CPDT-KA, CCUI, Level 1 TagTeacher BlueDog founder Kimbery Palermo is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Certified Control Unleashed InstructoBlueDog founder and trainer Kim Palermo has been training dogs personally for 25 years and professionally for over 10 years. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Certified Read More
Chris Palermo
Chris Palermo, CPDT-KA Chris grew up on a lake and always had an interest in wildlife, animals and dogs. At the time, most of his pets were all encased in a glass salt-water reef tank, where he maintained and propagated a large number of corals and tropical saltwater fish. His Read More
Jessica Meade CPDT-KA
Jessica is originally from Ohio, where her passion for dog training first started. Her mother worked in the pet care industry Jessica’s whole life and it sparked her love for animals. Her mom was always bringing home various critters and her friends always referred to their house as “the zoo.” Read More
Colleen CPDT-KA
Colleen is a CCTA Certified Dog Trainer through CATCH Canine Trainers Academy. Colleen grew up in a small farming community in Illinois where her parents now operate a vet clinic. She enjoys competing in dog shows with her Great Dane named Sassy. Colleen flies for Delta Air Lines as a Read More
Nicole
Nicole was raised during an era when all a girl needed was a fluffernutter sandwich, a few hose stops, a bike, and her dog. She and her golden retriever, Tasha, hit the streets of Melrose, MA with her older brother like it was their job. They were free to explore Read More
Bridget Desroches, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP
Bridget is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, an International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Associate Certified Member, and AKC CGC Evaluator. Bridget has been training dogs professionally for over 20 years. She has a B.S. in Animal Science from University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Read More
Diane Kurkjian
Owner of Everydog, LLC. Diane became interested in dog training after adopting her wonderful Chow mix, Ebony, in 1996. Ebony had several behavior issues that required Diane to put careful thought into how to teach her to be both comfortable and safe in her household. Ebony went on to earn her Read More
Jodi
Jodi’s journey to working with animals wasn’t a straight path. While she always had a passion for it, the direction wasn’t always clear. After earning her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Harvard University Extension School at 39, she realized her night school education hadn’t provided the hands-on experience she Read More
Class Assistants
Rachel O
I grew up in North Andover and have owned dogs and many other animals all my life. But after rescuing my second dog Brady they became my passion. I started dog walking as a side job and wanted more of a commitment. After taking an online training course I really Read More
Casey
A life-long animal person, Casey has grown up in New England with a variety of pets: cats, dogs, birds, fish, frogs, chickens and horses. As a kid she saw dog agility on TV and began training her faithful black lab to do some simple tricks and obstacles, which sparked her Read More
Meaghan
Meaghan is relatively new to being a handler but has always gravitated towards dogs and animals and them to her. Growing up in Western MA, Meaghan spent a lot of time traveling back to the Merrimack Valley to visit family meaning she couldn’t commit to having a dog of her Read More
Thayna
Hi! I’m Thayna, a life long animal lover from North Andover! I knew from a very young age that I wanted to spend my life working with animals in any way, shape, or form. And because of that, I decided to pursue a B.S. in Animal Science, specializing in animal Read More
Our Walkers
Chris
Chris, a native of Andover and lifelong dog lover, grew up surrounded by golden retrievers. After earning a degree in Sports Management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2002, he moved to San Diego to begin his career in sales. In 2006, he returned to Massachusetts, settling in Arlington, Read More
Heather
Heather has a love and zest for animals. She grew up with dogs her whole life and learned many things from them through the years. She currently has a sweet and energetic 10 year old Mini Dapple Dachshund named Stardust who is her pride and joy. Her dog teaches her new Read More
Kris
Years ago, Kris was blessed with meeting her boyfriend [soon to be husband] and they adopted a 10 week old mixed Siberian Husky/wolf, named Shauna. Shauna taught Kris so much and they bonded immediately through love and trust. After a short while, Kris was able to teach Shauna some things too! Shauna Read More
Leah
Hello! I am happy to be here at Bluedog. My love for helping animals, people, and the environment has been the core drive for my jobs. I spent a few years farming and working with the elderly before this. I have tons of walking stamina and love being outside rain Read More
Mary
Mary comes from a large family full of people & dogs. Her and her husband, Dan, raised two chocolate labs, Matty & Paffy, who would attend the many family parties, sporting events, and would enjoy hikes with her & her 19 nieces & nephews. They are now the proud parents Read More
Maureen
Longtime compliance and ethics professional and lifetime animal lover. As I ease into early retirement I enjoy staying active and engaged with four-legged friends. Experienced with taking care of dogs of all sizes and personalities – from pugs to Great Danes. I take a flexible approach to caring for your dog, so if Read More
Mike
Mike is from Reading MA and has lived in Andover since 1999. In 1997 Mike earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Education from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. In 2003 Mike earned an Associates degree in Paramedic Emergency Medicine from New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord. Since 2003 Mike Read More
Rob
I moved to Massachusetts in 2003, and my wife and I have lived in North Andover since 2005. I have two wonderful teenage children, and a hairy best friend named Poppy. For entertainment, I like to play video games, and board games with my family. I also love to travel Read More
Tara
Tara shared her childhood with a Black Lab/German Shephard mix named Sadie. They went everywhere together; Sadie even walked her to the bus stop and picked her up from the bus stop, every day. Sadie taught Tara the concept of unconditional love and showed her just how wonderful dogs could Read More
Thayna
Hi! I’m Thayna, a life long animal lover from North Andover! I knew from a very young age that I wanted to spend my life working with animals in any way, shape, or form. And because of that, I decided to pursue a B.S. in Animal Science, specializing in animal Read More
Our Puppy Mentor Dogs
Jane
Our Gentle Collie Mentor Our six-year-old Rough Collie, Jane, has practically grown up with BlueDog. Ever since she was just a pup, she had plenty of training with Kim Palermo. Her upbringing really shines through in her incredible skill as a puppy mentor. Jane’s been around dogs her whole life, Read More
Fern
Our Friendly Classroom Clown Fern is our nearly five-year-old Golden Retriever and the designated “fun ambassador” of our puppy socialization team. As one of the demo dogs for Chris’s classes, Fern has spent much of her time at BlueDog as one of our four legged class assistants. Fern has lots Read More
Sunday
The Playful Confidence Coach Sunday is our two-year-old Rough Collie with a playful soul, and a special talent for drawing shy puppies out of their shells. As Jane’s little sister, she’s got a slightly more bouncy, joyful approach to socialization. Once your pup has relaxed with Jane, Sunday will help Read More
Join the BlueDog Team
BlueDog is always looking for passionate, experienced dog lovers to join our crew. Become a part of a fun, energetic team of dog lovers who spend their entire day improving the lives of the dogs either by training or walking or both!