Michelle Metzger
Director of Programs Operations
Michelle joined Animal Behavior College in 2009 as a Program Manager for the Veterinary Assistant Program. Prior to this, she spent 20 plus years working in veterinary medicine as a Registered Veterinary Technician. Michelle was promoted to Lead Program Manager for the Veterinary Assistant Program in 2011 and elevated to Program Operations Manager in 2015. At that time this meant overseeing staff who worked directly with ABC’s student body in all programs of study, which included ABC’s Dog Obedience Instructor, Veterinary Assistant and Grooming Instruction Programs. As the school continued to grow so did Michelle’s role.
Today, Michelle is the Director of Programs Operations at Animal Behavior College, now directing managers and assisting staff who work with students in all eight of ABC’s core vocational programs. In addition to staff support, she analyses student feedback, implements program improvements, and helps to ensure that school policy is maintained by students and staff.
As a California native, Michelle enjoys outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, and even spending time underwater as a certified SCUBA diver, but true heaven comes in the form of fostering litters of kittens. Michelle’s ultimate goal is to be “the crazy cat lady” but is up against stiff competition from her associates at ABC!
Tiffany DuFoe
Director of Marketing
Tiffany DuFoe has been with Animal Behavior College (ABC) since 2011 and is proud to be a “lifer” with the company. Tiffany began her tenure with ABC in the role of Jr. Admin Assistant, spending her days processing student folders and assisting the alumni student body. Over the years Tiffany has filled various roles in the company, and took on her current position of Director of Marketing in 2019. As the Director of Marketing, she is responsible for the entire Marketing Team, all advertising components, and maintaining and strengthening partnership relations. She enjoys juggling the creative aspect of advertising with data analysis and developing projects for the college’s future. Additionally, Tiffany reports directly to ABC’s CEO Brian Coyne and assists her fellow Directors with various big picture projects.
In her spare time, Tiffany is an internet radio broadcaster and pop culture enthusiast. She also develops streaming media apps and writes for various print media publications. Tiffany is a proud “cat lady” and the mom of four feline babies; Wicked Kitty (a tabby, who lived to the ripe age of 20 years old), Fritz (a Russian Blue, age 12 years), Imhotep (a Sphynx, age 5 years), and Hermey (a Bambino, age 3 years).
Candace Mason
Director of Admissions
Candace has been with Animal Behavior College (ABC) since the school’s inception in 1998. Prior to that, she became a professional dog trainer in 1994 and worked part-time at Animal Behavior and Training Associates (ABTA) for Petco®. Candace was recruited by ABTA for the position of Human Resources Director, where she supervised testing and hiring procedures for more than 400 ABTA Petco group class dog trainers nationwide. In 2003, her astute dog training knowledge, customer service expertise, and diligent work ethic led to promotion to Director of Admissions for Animal Behavior College.
As Admissions Director, Candace oversees the Admissions team, registrations and enrollments for ABC’s eight core programs and seven short term programs. She also analyzes results and created admissions policies and procedures.
In addition to training dogs for more than two decades, Candace is a photographer and equine trainer. She competed in the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), and in 1989, was the youngest rider to ever compete in the 700-mile Pony Express XP Rides from Nevada to Utah. To date, she’s competed in more than 1,000 race miles with AERC.
Candace enjoys spending time with her family and her three rescued dogs and her horse, Sammy. She also offers dog-sitting services during her free time.
Shannon Guida
Student Finance Supervisor
Shannon was born and raised in Connecticut where she currently lives with her husband, two amazing daughters and her two rescue dogs Nila and Leka. Nila is a Shar-Pei Chow mix and Leka is a Pit Bull mix. Shannon fell completely in love with them when her older daughter and herself were volunteering at a local animal shelter and knew she had to give them their forever home. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, reading, walking and spending time with her family. She recently earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Western Governors University.
Prior to Animal Behavior College, she worked in post-secondary education for over 20 years. Shannon started as a Financial Aid Advisor after she graduated from Business School and was later promoted to Director of Financial Aid. A few years later she transitioned to the Executive Student Finance Director overseeing the Bursar Department and Student Collections Department.
Shannon has always had a passion for helping students achieve their dreams. She is grateful to work with amazing people that not only love animals but share the same passion for helping students succeed.
Kristyne Bennett
Assistant Controller & Bookkeeper
Kristyne has been with Animal Behavior College (ABC) since its inception in 1998. Two years prior, she began working part-time and soon moved to full-time as Executive Assistant to Steven Appelbaum of Animal Behavior Training Associates, Inc. (ABTA). There she worked in several different departments, including human resources, payroll, and accounting. Due to her exemplary performances, she was quickly promoted to Bookkeeper & Assistant Controller.
In her position, Kristyne serves as controller and oversees all bookkeeping, creates and tracks invoices, ensures department spending does not exceed budget allocations, and administers the company’s 401K plan.
The Pennsylvania native earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. In her spare time, which doesn’t happen often, she enjoys reading and scrapbooking. Kristyne also enjoys spending time with her family and their two dogs, Charlie Brown (an Australian Shepherd mix) and Lucy (a German Shepherd Shar-Pei mix).
