Love of animals motivates ‘pack leader’

Debbie Howe is the leader of the pack, but unlike the song of the same name, her title has nothing to do with motorcycles.

Jill Pickett

Debbie Howe, pack leader at Sam Russell’s Pet Provisions, plays with some of the dogs she is responsible for at the business in Elizabethtown.

Buy this photo

Jill Pickett

Debbie Howe, pack leader at Sam Russell’s Pet Provisions, holds one of the dogs she takes care of at the business in Elizabethtown.

Buy this photo

As kennel pack leader at Sam Russell’s Pet Provisions in Elizabethtown — where she has worked for the past two years — Howe provides obedience training for dogs of all sizes, ages and breeds. Her experience working with animals, though, spans more than two decades and has gained a following.

“I guess the biggest compliment is they trust me with their animals, that I’ll take care of them,” Howe said.

Howe worked for 13 years at Helmwood Veterinary Clinic and nine years at Fort Knox Veterinary Clinic.

Working with animals stems from a lifelong love.

“I’ve always been an animal person,” Howe said. “Even as a little kid I always remember animals in my life.”

Learning to train animals was a matter of “on-the-job training,” she said.

“I learned to read ‘em, cause a dog has emotions like we do, and you have to specifically pay attention to what they’re saying,” Howe said.

Howe teaches dogs five basic commands, the most difficult of which are “down” and “stay,” she said. That’s because they are most vulnerable at that time.

Bad habits, she said, usually are corrected on a leash with the instructor using a certain tone of voice.

“A dog will learn real fast,” Howe said.

Training isn’t limited to puppies and young dogs, either, she said. Pet owners shouldn’t give up on older dogs, thinking it’s too late to train them.

“I’ll give you about 80 percent of all dogs can be corrected,” she said.

The biggest mistake pet owners make is in the treatment of their companions, Howe said.

“They want it to be a human,” she said.

The truth is, Howe said, all dogs want a pack leader. They want to be part of a pack but not lead, she said.

The reward of being greeted at the kennel by happy dogs is a perk, Howe said.

“Dog kisses make a rainy day a good day,” she said.

Howe has a following that appreciates her work.

Carol Hubbard of Elizabethtown met Howe at Helmwood Veterinary Clinic years ago. Howe cared for her cocker spaniel, Nicky, before he passed away and now takes care of her Shih Tzu mix, Griffin, at Sam Russell’s.

“I love Debbie; my animals love Debbie,” Hubbard said.

She described Howe as a compassionate person who not only took care of her pets but made herself available to take care of Griffin at a moment’s notice when Hubbard began traveling to Lexington to be with a grandson who is undergoing cancer treatment.

“Deb sheds tears with me,” Hubbard said.

Likewise, Barbara Liggett of Elizabethtown has known Howe from when she worked at Helmwood Veterinary Clinic and has entrusted the care of “several pets” to her.

“She’s the one you want taking care of your animal,” Liggett said.
Liggett called Howe “a natural when it comes to animals.”

Sam Russell’s co-owner Diane Shoffner called Howe “one of the most valued dog experts in the county.”

“I am amazed each day with what respect she gets from many of our human and dog clients,” Shoffner said. “Many people come in for her guidance and advice on what to do with their pet.”

Judy Drake, Sam Russell’s co-owner, described Howe as knowledgeable and caring and said she had a true love of animals, “speaks their language” and lets dogs be dogs.

“Deb always looks to benefit the dog,” Drake said. “She has a great following because she is very honest with the owners, telling them what they need to know and what they need to do.”

Appreciation of the canine personality might have something to do with that, according to Howe.

“I like working with them because a dog is one of the most honest animals there is,” Howe said.

Her ability is obvious to some.

“She has a special way with the dogs.” Shoffner said. “They are always excited to see her and want to be part of her pack.”

“I think she is a true leader of the pack,” Liggett said.

Robert Villanueva can be reached at (270) 505-1743.