Green Acres Kennel Shop

Don's Credentials | Don's CV | Don's Publications | Don's Speaking Engagements

Green Acres Kennel Shop is owned and operated by Don and Paula Hanson. The Hanson's moved from Wisconsin to Bangor in 1995 in order to purchase Green Acres Kennel Shop after deciding that they wanted their own business in alignment with their passion for dogs and cats. They arrived at 1653 Union Street with three elderly parents and three dogs. Now several years into it, they both find that they still thoroughly enjoy caring and helping others care for their animal companions.

Don Hanson is the co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop in Bangor, Maine, where he is also the Director of Behavior Counseling and Training. As a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP), Don also assists pet parents and their dogs and cats with behavioral problems such as separation anxiety and aggression.  A certified evaluator for Therapy Dogs International, Don tests dog and guardian teams who wish to bring canine companionship to nursing homes and hospitals.

A member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) since 1995, in 1998 Don was asked by Dr. Ian Dunbar to serve on the APDT's first Education Committee. As a member of that committee, he was one of twenty dog training professionals and behaviorists selected by the APDT to research and develop the first comprehensive written certification examination for pet dog trainers. He became one of the first trainers certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in September of 2001.

Don is very involved in the pet community. He served on the Bangor Humane Society Board of Directors from 1996 until 2011, and was its President from 1998 through 2003. He also served on the Maine State Animal Wlefare Advisory Council (AWAC), representing licensed kennels, from 2006 through 2011.

In 2001 Don was elected to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Board of Trustees. He was elected to a second, three year term on the APDT Board in the fall of 2004. Don served the APDT as Vice Chair in 2005 and 2006 and Chair in 2007. In 2009 he was appointed to lead the APDT's new Education committee. He was again elected to the APDT Board of Directors in 2011. He was elected Vice Chair of the Board in January 2011 and became Chair in July of 2011. He was relected Chair of the APDT BOard for 2012.

Committed to educating others, Don has presented seminars on pet behavior, dog training, pet nutrition and Bach Flower Remedies in Canada, the Caribbean, Japan, and throughout the US. Don has been the host of "The Woof-Meow" show, a weekly radio program on WVOM-FM/WVQM-FM, since 2005. He also writes articles for the DownEast Dog News and other pet related publications.

Continuing education is also very important to Don. On average, he attends 18 days of seminars every year covering topics ranging from training and behavior to holistic and complementary health care for pets and people. In November of 2003, Don completed the coursework necessary to become the first Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP) in the United States.

Don is a certified member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), a professional member of Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), and the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals (AABP), and Truly Dog Friendly (TDF).

Paula works in the front lines of Green Acres, managing the retail operations and checking in guests. She is responsible for much of the day to day business and customer service, ever searching out the highest quality products for the lowest prices to pass on to our clientele. She is a PCSA Certified Advanced Pet Care Technician. Additionally, due to her previous work experience, she has become Green Acres resident health care expert. Prior to buying Green Acres, Paula was a veterinary technician and office manager for a small animal practice in Madison, WI. An animal lover all her life, Paula has raised numerous dogs and cats.

Paula and Don are very interested in holistic and complementary health care for pets and people. They have both attended numerous seminars and workshops on nutrition, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and flower remedies.

Don and Paula share their home with one dogs and three cats; Tikken (a Golden Retriever, Batman (a domestic short haired cat) and Thelma and Louise (the Green Acres two domestic short haired cats and official mouse patrol).