About Echo-Brin Acres

Echo-Brin Acres gets its name from my first two dogs, Brindle and Echo. They're both shelter dogs of unknown breeding, possibly a cattledog mix and a beagle/boxer mix. We lived in a small suburb of Pittsburgh when we got them and had to make do with a small fenced yard and twice-daily leash walks. I was thrilled when Pittsburgh's first official dog park was built at Frick Park, and we visited several times each week. I promised my dogs that one day they'd live in the country with their very own big fenced yard to run and play in.

I began fostering dogs for the Western PA Humane Society in 2000. Although it was hard work and took nearly every moment of my spare time, it was also hugely rewarding. Through fostering I learned a great deal about dog behavior, training, and various medical issues, and developed an even greater respect for the people and organizations that rescue and rehome animals. By the time we moved in 2004, I had fostered over two dozen dogs... and adopted one of them. Finn, my pit bull, was my first "foster failure," and he has taught me a lot about working with fearful dogs. For more information about fostering, including a blog about my experiences as a foster home, please visit FosterDogs.

When it came time to move, my only criteria for our new house was that it had a big fenced yard. Although the house we found didn't have a fence, it did have a huge yard with trees and lush grass, and a big plus -- a half acre pond. Doggy paradise! The house itself wasn't in the greatest shape, but the dogs' needs come first in this household!

Web Beginnings

Several years ago, I started a website called Pittsburgh Dogs. That site and the associated email group grew to become a useful resource and a wonderful community of dog lovers in Western PA. In 2001 I put together a website about my foster dogs. In the summer of 2004, a job opportunity relocated our little family to central PA, so I created Central PA Dogs. Along the way I was asked to help out with several non-profit pet-related websites, and eventually I started taking paying clients. I am proficient in Dreamweaver and Fireworks for traditional html design. For database driven websites I prefer the Joomla CMS, which utilizes PHP and MySQL.

A little more about me...

In addition to my three dogs, I also have two cats, four pet ducks, and five red eared slider turtles. I am a proud member of American Dog Owners Association, an organization that works to protect the rights of responsible dog owners. I love all breeds and mixes, and I'm strongly opposed to breed-specific legislation. I support voluntary low-cost spay/neuter programs, but also recognize the importance of the responsible breeding of purebred dogs. I follow a balanced training philosophy, using a variety of methods and tools, depending on the dog and the desired behavior. I encourage all dog owners to train their dogs, to attend obedience classes, and to pursue other fun and rewarding activities with their dogs. (Check out these links for obedience training, activity clubs, and event listings throughout central PA.)