About

In business since 1965, Green Acres Kennel Shop emphasizes pet-friendly,  force-free, fear-free, and pain-free services. We offer boarding and daycare for dogs and cat, grooming for dogs, group and private dog training classes, behavior consultations for dogs and cats, and a wide variety of wholesome and healthy pet foods and quality pet supplies. We have been voted the “Best Kennel” in the Bangor region every year since 2002, the “Best Pet Store” since 2007, the “Best Dog Trainer” since 2011 and the “Best Pet Groomer” since 2013. In 2017 we were recognized as one of the Top 10 Kennels and Top 30 Dog Trainers in New England by Best Business of America.

Don & Paula Hanson have owned Green Acres since 1995. Don is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Associate Certified Cat Behavior Consultant (ACCBC) and Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP).  He has presented seminars on pet behavior, dog training, pet nutrition and Bach Flower Remedies in Canada, the Caribbean, Japan, and throughout the US. Don is the producer and co-host of "The Woof-Meow" show, a weekly podcast and radio program heard around the world on RetroRadio AM620. He also writes about pets for the Downeast Dog News and at his blog ( www.words-woofs-meows.com ).

The Hanson’s are fortunate to have an excellent staff of highly trained individuals, led by Operations Manager Kate Dutra, who started at the kennel in 1992. All pet care technicians must pass a detailed exam on pet first aid, animal behavior, and body language. The dog training staff are either Certified Professional Dog Trainers or are in the process of accumulating the necessary hours to sit for the exam. All employees, upon completion of training, become members of The Pet Professional Guild (PPG).

Green Acres Kennel Shop is a pet-friendly, force-free, fear-free, pain-free facility and we meet or exceed the standards set in the Position Statements of The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and the behavior guidelines of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).