Our Training Program
Meet our
experienced trainers
We are fortunate to have two of the best trainers in the United States leading our training program. Alex and Beth Brooks are sought after seminar speakers and trainers who are experts in canine behavioral modification.
How we pick our pups
Every dog is special and unique – so how do we choose a future Comfort Connections pup? Our pups start their journey at 8 weeks old. When we visit and play with the puppies, we look for several behaviors. The first behavior to look for is how social a puppy is. Do they run up to say hi? If so, you are off to a great start! The second behavior we look for is confidence. Do they want to explore or try new things? Curiosity and confidence are important! We look at several aspects, but these are two of the most important for us!
Alex Brooks
Alex has been training dogs for more than 40 years with an extensive background in all types of training. He has worked with local police canine units and has even trained narcotics dogs. For animal control, he does evaluations and has appeared in court as an expert witness. He also works closely with local animal shelters and rescue organizations doing volunteer work in training dogs, so they are easier to place in a forever home. He trains dogs to help the physically challenged gain improved freedom, independence, and quality of life. He is a former columnist for the Daily Herald and Journal & Topics writing and answering questions on canine behavior.
Alex is a sought-after speaker at dog training and behavioral seminars teaching owners and trainers all about canine behavior modification. He, further, incorporates his skills as a Level ll Reiki healer and Shaman Practitioner into his behavioral techniques with the dogs.
He was called by Nancy Glass Production Co. to work on episodes of National Geographic Wild show “My Dog Ate What”? and by Holistic Select Dog Food Co. to give expert training and behavioral advice to their clients. His canine training expertise has gained the attention of many well-known sports superstars including Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Tony Kukoc, Cliff Levingston, Maurice Douglas, Bobby Simmons, Antonio Davis, and Jalen Rose, to name a few. Furthermore, Alex has been called to audition and has supplied dogs for, MTV music videos, educational videos, and Home Alone 3.
His expertise was sought out by The Paw Stop in New York City, where he spent many months working with them to improve their own training and behavioral program. Alex has worked closely with the Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dog and Kare-9 Military Ministry Dog Programs and was their keynote speaker at their National Conference 2012. While in New York he worked with the dogs of Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos, Food Network Personality Scott Conant, and the rescue dogs of Bernadette Peters.
Beth Brooks
Beth has exclusively pursued her lifelong passion for working with dogs for the past six years. Her work has found her on daily trips with the comfort dogs to schools, nursing homes, and hospitals to share the love, comfort, and happiness dogs are so skilled at providing.
Further, she has participated in crisis and disaster response with dogs at tragedies and disasters that sadly occur throughout the country. She was instrumental in starting a military dog handler team that worked with military families.
Beth has a deep connection and passion for training service, therapy, and comfort dogs. She knows from personal experience how a service dog can give someone confidence, independence, and support.
Beth also works with owners and their dogs with everyday obedience and behavior. For the past three years, Beth has exclusively worked with Alex, growing his business in a new direction with service and therapy dogs both in Chicago and more recently in Nashville with their Nashville Canine Behavioral Center and Comfort Connections.
