Meet our Team!
KARYN JOHNSON, Owner
I would have to thank my mother for my love of animals. I can remember as a child always bringing home a puppy, injured bird or rabbit, and even once a litter of rabid kittens, which by the way scratched everyone except me!!! Needless to say my sister and best friend were very upset with me as they received their Rabies shots every week. One very stormy night, in the flash of lightning, I spotted several little bunnies floating in a ditch. I ran out into the storm and saved six babies, four of which had stopped breathing. I watched wide eyed as my Mother performed CPR bringing all but one back to life. I knew at a very young age that I had a connection with everything furry.
As an adult, I have always had multiple pets in my home. When my children went to school I took a job at the Naperville Humane Society. It was difficult and sad to watch as one pet after another was given up for adoption; usually because of some small behavior problem .It was there that I met Sandy Myers. Sandy had come in to temperament test a litter of puppies. I was fascinated as she proceeded with her evaluation of each puppy. I then asked her if I could observe her training classes, which, at the time, were being held in her basement. Sandy’s insight into animal behavior was amazing to watch and left me wanting to learn as much as I could from her.
I joined Sandy, founder of Narnia Inc., first as a volunteer, and later as a partner. We expanded Narnia into a large training facility offering between 20 and 32 classes per week. We also offered private lessons, as well as behavior consultations .Narnia became very well known as an educational center, hosting some of the most well known behaviorists and trainers from around the world.
After approximately 15 years, we sold Narnia with the intentions of retirement, however, sometimes life doesn’t go as planned, and we are forced to take a different road. Sandy has since moved to Wyoming and now owns Rockin-E Training along with her daughter, Molly. Wyoming is lucky to have her. I will never be able to thank her enough for the journey that we took together. As for me, my family has been through more than I can say, and I feel grateful that my daughter and husband are still here with me. So my new journey begins, with my family by my side. I will take all my years of experience and will once again do what I love. I will try to keep as many pets in their homes as I possibly can. My focus will be to go back to the basics and teach families how to live in harmony with their pets.
Karyn’s Career History & Education
ANGELA MURRAY, CPDT-KA, Director of Training
Training family pets is a passion for me. Nothing fills my soul more than helping people on their journey of owning a pet. My love of animals comes from my mother, who introduced me to the business when I was 16. With over 800 hours of continuing education classes, I am constantly looking for ways to improve and learn. My focus is to seek out education that is scientifically based and provides no harm to the animal. In 1998, I attended Wolf Park’s breeding internship program where I was able to observe and care for: wolves, bison, foxes, and coyotes; and in 1999 I went north to Vermillion College in Ely, Minnesota, taking classes such as Dog Sledding, Animal Tracking, and Psychology. When it came to actual jobs during my quest for further knowledge, I knew I wanted to work with animals as much as possible. Each job offered its own educational opportunities and situations. I got to volunteer at the Naperville Humane Society as well as be a kennel worker and assistant at Indian Prairie Animal Hospital. My time at Wolf Park provided me the opportunity to assist in the physical therapy of a once-alpha male as well as puppy handling for a new litter.
In 2005, after twelve years of being a Lead Obedience Instructor, I, along with two other trainers, purchased Narnia Inc. While working in a field I love, my life took an unexpected turn. In 2008, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Forced to focus on my health, I took a leave from the training industry and underwent treatment. During the time I was going through my chemotherapy, my father fell ill as well. I was reminded how important family truly is and wanted to join them in opening Nurture Your Pets. Once I was healthy enough to return to the job I love so much, I decided to study further and receive my CPDT (Certified Professional Dog Trainer) certificate in 2009. No longer a co-owner of Narnia, I am now a mentor for the Animal Behavior College, an employee for Go Dog Go in Oswego, a volunteer at Phillips Park Zoo, and the Director of Training for our family business. It seems like a lot to undertake, but when it’s something you truly love and want to see others succeed in, it can never feel like enough.