The Pawsitive Pets Team

Carl Holland

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Co-Owner

Carl has been working with Pawsitive Pets since 2016, beginning as a dog walker and pet sitter.  With an interest to learn more in dog behavior, he shadowed under Patrick from 2016-2018 before then beginning work with his own clients.  SInce then, Carl has worked as a behavior consultant, having provided more than 5,000 lessons.  He also helps in training our staff in understanding the application of the techniques and methods that we use in our lesson plans.  Carl owns a husky, Yuki, who serves as a teaching and ambassador dog for Pawsitive Pets.  Carl became co-owner in 2024 and is currently working toward an internationally recognized dog trainer certification.

Carl's pronouns are he/him.

Patrick Holland, CPDT-KA 

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Co-Owner

Patrick has worked directly with animals since 2010 focusing on behavior and learning to effectively implement force-free training
techniques. He graduated Purdue University with a BS in Animal Science and a concentration in Companion Animal Behavior. He received the
Certificate of Achievement in Dog Training in 2012 from the Animal Behavior College. He earned his Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed certification through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers in 2015. As of 2021 he has registered over 90 continuing education credits. He is also a Training Mentor for the CATCH Academy to help students learn the skills necessary to make a positive impact in the animal industry.

Patrick's pronouns are he/him.

Julie Becker

Training Department Manager and Pet Care Professional

Julie has always had a passion for working with animals, particularly with behavioral training, starting with showing her childhood dogs in 4H. This passion has continued into her professional career. She has an associates degree in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology and worked at the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic for 6 years prior to moving to Lafayette. When she is not working with animals, Julie enjoys spending time outdoors, dancing, and hanging out with friends and her husband, Scott, who is in vet school here at Purdue!

Julie's pronouns are she/her.

Graci Homburg

Pet Care Professional

Graci is a student at Purdue University studying animal science. Growing up, she spent a lot of time around different animals like cows, pigs, dogs, and cats as she grew up on a farm. She participated in 4-H showing swine for 10 years and was the treasurer/vice president of her high school’s FFA. She has also had a soft spot for dogs. She interned at a vet clinic her senior year of high school and even has helped family and friends with pet sitting.

Outside of working she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going on adventures, and playing video games!

Graci’s pronouns are she/her.

Jess Thuma

Pet Care Professional

Jess is a student at Purdue University studying environmental engineering. She has grown up around all kinds of animals, her family has always had a dog or two. Growing up with dogs she understands the unique role that pets play in our lives and appreciates the differing personalities of animals. In addition to dogs, she grew up riding horses at 16 she started training young horses and currently owns and trains a 2-year-old gelding. While working at a horse facility for two years she also learned to work with cows, pigs, and even camels.

When not working on homework or with her horse you'll likely find Jess getting a coffee with friends, volunteering at nearby animal shelters, or planning a future road trip.

Jess's pronouns are she/her.

Babbi Dickensheets-Holland

Pet Care Professional

Babbi has a degree in Anthropology from Ball State University. During her time at Ball State she studied some Primatology courses on Ape and Monkey behavior. She has been an animal enthusiast all her life; and has had dogs, cats and freshwater fish at home. She also happens to be our co-owner, Patrick's, life partner and has followed his guidance in the training and care for their 2 dogs (Miley and Panda) and 2 cats (Aj and Elephant). Babbi has been working with Pawsitive Pets LLC since 2023. She enjoys furthering her skills and education to best serve our clients. In her free time she likes to paint, draw, read, and go camping.

Babbi's pronouns are she/her.

Reagan Johnson

Pet Care Professional

Reagan is a senior at Purdue University majoring in English Education with a minor in Human Services and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She has always had a big heart for animals and began working with them as a boarding and daycare attendant for three years. She’s been working at Pawsitive Pets for over a year and loves what she does!

Outside of working with animals, Reagan enjoys teaching dance classes, crocheting, and hanging out with friends and family!

Reagan's pronouns are she/her.

Juliannah Jenkins

Pet Care Professional

Juliannah is a student in biology at Purdue University. She is pursuing pre-vet studies and is hoping to become a veterinarian of many different types of animals.
She has always had a special connection with animals. She has a soft spot for rodents, ever since she got her first rat at 5 years old. Since then, she has had 2 others in her grade school years, and now currently has 2 rat brothers. She has also had a chinchilla for 4 years now.
Juliannah was a part of 4-H and showed alpacas for 10 years. She has always had a dog in the family and even participated in dog obedience in 4-H.

Rachel Peterson

Pet Care Professional

Rachel has been surrounded by animals her whole life, developing a strong bond with them. She studied Animal Science at Purdue University and is currently saving to continue her education. Most of her off time goes to her three animals – a dog and two playful kittens. Otherwise, she’ll probably be reading or out with friends.

Rachel's pronouns are she/her

Amanda Henry

Trainer and Pet Care Professional

Amanda is an avid animal lover who is currently attending Purdue University to learn more about animal welfare and behavior. She has two dogs, a cattle dog named Murphy and a yellow lab named Zappa, and in her free time she enjoys training for and competing in dog sports with them.

Amanda's pronouns are she/her.