Green Acres Kennel

Don's Credentials | Don's CV | Don's Publications | Don's Speaking Engagements

Green Acres Kennel Shop is owned and operated by Don and Paula Hanson. The Hanson's moved from Wisconsin to Bangor in 1995 in order to purchase Green Acres Kennel Shop after deciding that they wanted their own business in alignment with their passion for dogs and cats. They arrived at 1653 Union Street with three elderly parents and three dogs. Several years later, Paula and Don still thoroughly enjoy caring and helping others care for their animal companions.

Don Hanson is the co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop in Bangor, Maine, where he is also the Director of Behavior Counseling and Training. As a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP) and Associate Certified Cat Behavior Consultant (ACCBC), Don also assists pet parents and their dogs and cats with behavioral problems such as separation anxiety and aggression.

A member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) since 1995, in 1998 Don was asked by APDT's founder, Dr. Ian Dunbar, to serve on the APDT's first Education Committee. As a member of that committee, he was one of twenty dog training professionals and behaviorists selected by the APDT to research and develop the first comprehensive written certification examination for pet dog trainers. He became one of the first trainers certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in September of 2001.

Don is very involved in the pet community. He served on the Bangor Humane Society Board of Directors from 1996 until 2011, and was its President from 1998 through 2003. He also served on the Maine State Animal Welfare Advisory Council (AWAC), representing licensed kennels, from 2006 through 2011. 

In 2001 Don was elected to the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) Board of Trustees. He was elected to a second, three year term on the APDT Board in the fall of 2004. Don served the APDT as Vice Chair in 2005 and 2006 and Chair in 2007. In 2009 he was appointed to lead the APDT's new Education committee. He was again elected to the APDT Board of Trustees in 2011. He was elected Vice Chair of the Board in January 2011 and became Chair in July of 2011. He was again elected Chair of the APDT Board for 2012. Don served on the APDT Board as Treasurer in 2013 and retired at the end of his term. At the annual confernce in October of 2014, Don was recognized as the Dr. Ian Dunbar Member of the Year for his many contributions to APDT and the profession of dog training.

Committed to educating others, Don has presented seminars on pet behavior, dog training, pet nutrition and Bach Flower Remedies in Canada, the Caribbean, Japan, and throughout the US.

In December of 2004, Don became the creator, producer and co-host of a new radio show, The Woof-Meow Show. The show was broadcast on the Voice of Maine through January of 2016. In February of 2016 it moved to the Pulse AM620 (WZON) and expanded to a sixty minute show. It is broadcast ever Saturday at 9 AM and is also available as a podcast at http://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/webpage and the Apple’s iTunes store.

Continuing education is also very important to Don. On average, he attends 18 days of seminars every year covering topics ranging from training and behavior to holistic and complementary health care for pets and people. In November of 2003, Don completed the coursework necessary to become the first Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP) in the United States.

Don is a certified member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and a member of Don and the entire staff of Green Acres Kennel Shop are also members of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG); an organization committed to Force-Free pet care which is very much in agreement with Green Acre's Pet Friendly policies. In the fall of 2016 Don was asked to serve on the PPG Advocacy Committee.

Paula has retired from an active role in the dady to day management of Green Acres due to health reasons. She continues to assist with bookkeeping. Paula is a PCSA Certified Advanced Pet Care Technician. Additionally, due to her previous work experience, she has become Green Acres resident health care expert. Prior to buying Green Acres, Paula was a veterinary technician and office manager for a small animal practice in Madison, WI. An animal lover all her life, Paula has raised numerous dogs, cats and several baby raccoons.

Paula and Don are very interested in holistic and complementary health care for pets and people. They have both attended numerous seminars and workshops on nutrition, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and flower remedies.

Don and Paula currently share their home with one dog, Muppy, a Golden Retriever/Cocker Spaniel, a rescue that joined their family on May 1st, 2013 and Boomer a rescued cat that joined their family in August of 2015. Thelma  (the Green Acres official mouse patrol) has been part of the family since May of 2001 and resides in the store.