Conversations with Geralynn Cada

Today we’d like to introduce you to Geralynn Cada.

Hi Geralynn; we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for companion animals and dreams of designing pet products began when I turned nine years old and began my process to become a certified professional dog trainer through a local 4H program and mentoring under a Westminster Award Winning dog handler and breeder. With much encouragement from my father, Francis Ray, and mother, Charlotte, and training mentor Betty, I completed a Bachelor’s in Design from the Kansas City Art Institute to hone my creative skills to become an expert pet product designer. Next, I completed a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry from Northeastern State University to study how animals work biochemically. Next was awarded an MBA from UMKC Bloch School of Management through the Kaufmann foundation. After 25 years as a private practice dog/cat trainer and as a product consultant for large pet product companies, the next natural step was creating brands, partnering with teams, and creating product companies. I am a founding member, shareholder, and board seat holder of two of those companies, and I have taken over the pet industry. Utilizing my experience with training pets and knowing what they love to play, eat and sleep, I took the calming traits of catnip and other herbs that were a part of my studies during the completion of my science education who’s benefits for calming anxious pets into the marketplace. I have had a lot of fun helping pets relax, especially during the recent pandemic. It’s not easy chasing dreams on the road less traveled. The great news is, there is no stopping me now.

You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
There is no such thing as a straight path to success. Many days have felt like a rollercoaster ride, and the best thing to do is to buckle your seatbelt and hold on tight. Especially when someone tells you that you cannot do something that you really and truly believe in, something you know you can be successful with when no one else has ever believed or attempted. One day while on a sales trip in Seattle, WA, to sell my product designs, a long-time store owner told me that I would be crazy if I went forward with one of my new design ideas. Did I respect him as a store owner? Yes! Did I allow his inexperience with biochemical interactions with pets to influence me? No! If I had allowed him to influence me at that moment and laid my ideas down to rest, I would not have thousands and thousands of people loving my products plus recognizing me enough to stop me at a store, saying “thank you for the joy” these products have brought to their beloved pets. Especially during the recent pandemic. If. You do your research and believe that something will come true, you must be prepared to work hard. When you believe in something and work diligently, it’s not like work, and your dreams will come true. Don’t put a timeline on success.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

• Award Winning Certified Professional Dog/Cat Trainer.
• Mentor Trainer for Dog Training Schools.
• Licensed AKC Judge and AKC Good Canine Citizen Evaluator.
• Clients have included celebrities like Sigfried and Roy (their dogs, not their cats), Professional athletes, Entertainers (even a Rockette), Actors, famous chefs, and medical professionals; the list is endless. Companies I work with include KONG, Loving Pet Products, Earth Animal, Tether Tug, and other major players within the industry.
• Award Winning Pet Product Designer with new exciting items launching soon.
• Author (my book series and video lessons will be published soon on geralynncada.com).
• TV, Radio Personality
• Positively Woof Video Podcast Co-Host “DOG HUGS” with over 1.9 million followers and 200+ episodes.
• Media Personality with large broadcasting networks, including Gray Television and Nexstar Media Group.
• Honored to be the 2018 Recipient of the PETAGE Magazine ICON award.
• Founder of CandCPawCo, LLC. Home of GeralynnCada.com.
• Founding Partner of SmarterPaw, LLC. Home of Cat and Dog toys.

It’s been a pleasure and and honor to spend over 30+ years in the pet industry, and I wouldn’t change anything. My knowledge and experience with pets and within the pet industry set me apart from others. My kind heart, love for and understanding of how important animals are in our human lives is insurmountable. I’m also a pet product expert, plus considered the “sweetheart” of the industry. I’m known for spearheading training techniques that have saved many pets lives, helping them to lead a long and happy life with their family instead of returning to a shelter. People from all over the world seek out my advice and guidance regarding their pets. Companies, national and international, seek out my advice on their new pet product ideas. My dog and cat toy designs and supplements have won numerous awards. My new dog training line and online lessons will release nationally this summer. When you love what you do, you do it – it does not feel like work. Every time I am out and about and happen upon a pet and its parent that have experienced my training, their pets remember me and run up all happy with tails wagging; that’s what I’m most proud of.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
The list of people who have guided and influenced me is endless, so I’ll mention a few of my favorites. If I left someone off of the list, rest assured, I’ll be calling them personally to thank them again (and again). My father, Francis Ray, and my mother, Charlotte Cada, were my biggest influence, as it was their love for pets that brought me into training, rescuing, and showing dogs beginning at age nine. They also recognized my talent for design and creative mind. My “other mother,” Gayle Price Krigel, a legend in Kansas City, has been a huge inspiration and cheerleader for me since the age of 19; even on my most challenging days, she has held my hand. Larry Kay, the founder of Positively Woof, is an incredible influence on my professional life. Lindsey Bowen, one of my favorite dog-training students, has been training service dogs with me for almost 17 years and is my rock, also two of my favorite dog-training customers, Sigfried and Roy (RIP), and their staff and animals. All of my industry colleagues, team members, PR agents, editors, co-hosts, college professors, pet training students, and of course, all of the dogs and cats that I have been fortunate enough to work with inspire me to keep going after the successes we had together and the joy that fills their eyes when we reached a communication level “ahh ha” moment. These animals are the true heroes in my life story. There are still more chapters to write, so I’ll keep going strong. You may want to “sit and stay” a while especially if you have a beloved pet as a family member.

Pricing:

• Lesson Packages range from 600.00-3000.00
• Personal Pet Training, where the dog stays in my home for training range 1200.00-5000.00
• geralynncada.com Pet Themed Jewelry for People named CCCouture 50.00-5,000.00
• geralynncada.com Training Equipment (Pants, Leashes, Collars, other tools)
• Dog Training Book and Video Series release date TBA

Contact Info:

• Website: geralynncada.com
• Instagram: @geralynncada
• Facebook: Geralynn Cada
• Linkedin: Geralynn Cada
• Youtube: Geralynn Cada
• Other: gcpetstyleoflife.com

Image Credits
@sheaphotograpy, @geralynncada, @LarryKay, @Positivelywoof courtesy:WHO 13