RAQUEL NEIGHOFF
A native, born and raised in Southern Lancaster County I have over 25 years experience working with animals and as a trainer. While attending Solanco High School, I worked at the local humane league, as well as, locally homed, but nationally recognized Sight & Sound Theaters.  Upon graduating, I attended Delaware Valley University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Behavior, Training & Enrichment & Animal Biotechnology & Conservation.  In 2007, as a sophomore in college, my life changed. I adopted Remington, a champion bloodline purebred field trial black Labrador retriever and my spark ignited. For several years I worked in various animal-related fields including training, daycare, pet resort and boarding facilities, as well as veterinary hospitals. In 2011 I began training as a private Instructor, developing Sits and Tricks Training in order to provide various services to the residents of Lancaster County and surrounding areas.

Sits and Tricks offers both private one to one training and group classes, as well as various sports activities and options for other interests, including barn hunting, flyball, agility, shed hunting, bird dog work and more.  I am a Certified Pro Dog Trainer through the various phenomenal Absolute Dogs programs including ProDogTrainer, Geek, Genius, Coaching, Club and More. One of the original founders of AbsoluteDogs, Tom Mitchell, a veterinary behaviorist and veterinarian, provides a public forum and a variety of programs offered through his platform called my Help My Dog and launching new programs via his world renown business Behavet. More recently, I am on my next huge endeavor of continueing education, earning an Ofqual Level 6 Diploma (equivalent to an University acchieved Bachelors Degree)  in order to be an internationally recognized and certified Clinical Canine Behaviorist.   I have earned my Certification in Pet Emergency CPR and First Aid, through numerous organizations, as well as my Certification both as a Wildlife Courier and in Capture and Transport. I also have had the Rabies Pre-exposure vaccines and am able to assist in rehabilitating Rabies Vector Species, amongst other native wildlife, I have volunteered my time and utilize these additional qualifications at local rehabilitation organization, Raven Ridge Wildlife Center.  I have also received training in both canine and equine massage.  I am a certified and approved AKC Evaluator, I am also currently working towards completing the requirements as a Do More With Your Dog Evaluator.

I’ve had the privilege of being one of three approved trainers for the Pets for Vets Lancaster County Chapter, while short lived until the chapter dismantled I still feel very passionate about the purpose and mission of Pets For Vets and will continue to support their cause as a trainer, as well in any other way I can. Being an approved trainer though them is a status I hold with pride being that I am both a wife and daughter of U.S. Marine Corps Veterans.  Both of which are proud to have served their country and fully support the cause for which Pets for Vets stands for. I am honored to be able to share my passion, in the hopes of having a significant impact on the lives of United States veterans through effective, positive, transformational training in order to provide them with a lifelong companion who truly inspires them along their journey of life together.

Over the years I have owned, fostered, rehomed and trained numerous dogs, some of which are now emotional support, therapy, and service dogs.  Currently, I enjoy life with our dogs, horses and goats, alongside myself, my husband and our two children. Today we welcome you to the Sits and Tricks Family with open paws, Today you start your incredible journey. Today is Day One…