Our Philosophy & Team
A Positive Approach For Every Dog, Every Stay
At Far Fetched Acres, we believe in positive, gentle, and science-backed methods for all of our boarding and training services.
Every dog in our care receives individualized attention, with their daily experience shaped around their unique personality, energy levels, and needs. It’s extremely important to us that all dogs in our care, whether they’re staying for our signature Board and Train or boarding only, benefit from structure, consistency, and clear communication.
Throughout the day, dogs enjoy a healthy mix of activities — including enrichment, supervised social time, rest, and one-on-one interaction with our team. For those enrolled in training, we build skills through both individual sessions and real-world group environments. Each member of our team helps reinforce calm, confident behavior in a way that feels natural, positive, and sustainable for your dog.
We also offer customizable add-ons that support a dog's experience here at Far Fetched Acres as well as private in-home training in the city.
What This Means for Your Dog
Dogs thrive when their physical, emotional and social needs are fully met. That’s why our founders Colleen Safford and John Manning created Far Fetched Acres as a truly joyful countryside retreat, set in 127-acres of rolling fields for play, ponds to splash in and trails to sniff.
Unlike traditional boarding environments, where dogs often spend much of their time indoors, we provide an open, enriching space that supports both body and mind.
At Far Fetched Acres, we believe in positive, gentle, and science-backed positive reinforcement methods across all of our boarding and training services. This means we focus on adding something your dog enjoys to build and strengthen behaviours, while shaping their environment to set them up for success.
What a Day at Far Fetched Acres Looks Like
Every dog in our care receives individualized attention, with their daily experience tailored to their unique personality, energy levels, and needs. Whether a dog is staying for boarding or enrolled in training, they benefit from the same foundation of structure, consistency, and clear communication.
Throughout the day, dogs enjoy a natural rhythm that blends:
Open space to run, explore, and decompress
Supervised play in thoughtfully matched, size-based groups
Enrichment activities that engage both mind and body
Rest and quiet time to recharge
One-on-one attention from our experienced team
For dogs enrolled in training, learning is seamlessly integrated into their stay. Skills are built through both individual sessions and real-world group environments, then reinforced throughout the day — from leash walking to polite greetings and everyday manners.
Programs like our Mind Yer Manners ensure that positive behaviors are consistently practiced throughout the day, not just during structured sessions.
Benefits of Positive Reinforcement and Science-Based Dog Training and
Owning a dog is one of life’s greatest joys, but it also comes with significant responsibility. Proper training is essential to fostering a happy, well-adjusted pet—and choosing the right training method can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in.
At Far Fetched Acres, we remove the guesswork by using Positive Reinforcement Dog Training, a proven, science-supported approach. Unlike outdated methods that rely on punishment and intimidation, positive reinforcement focuses on rewarding desired behaviors while gently discouraging unwanted ones. Studies in behavioral science consistently show that animals (and humans!) learn best when they feel safe, engaged, and motivated—leading to lasting behavioral changes rather than temporary compliance.
Our entire team integrates positive reinforcement into everything we do, ensuring a consistent and supportive learning environment for every pup in our care. This approach strengthens the bond between humans and dogs, making training less about discipline and more about communication, trust, and mutual understanding.
Meet the Team That Loves Your Dog Like Their Own
Colleen Safford: Founder & CEO
With more than 20 years of experience in positive-reinforcement training, Colleen Safford founded Far Fetched Acres with one simple belief: dogs deserve care rooted in science, compassion, and joy. What began as a vision for a kinder, enrichment-based boarding experience has grown into a beloved countryside retreat for city dogs from NYC and beyond. Today, Colleen continues to lead with heart and expertise—creating a place where every dog can rest, learn, and truly be themselves.
John Manning: Co-Founder, Head of Transportation & Client Services
From the very beginning, John Manning has helped shape the heart and logistics of Far Fetched Acres. As co-founder, he leads transportation, facilities, and client services—making sure every pup travels safely, arrives comfortably, and experiences a smooth, stress-free stay. Known for his calm presence and unwavering reliability, John is a trusted constant for both dogs and their families.
Jeanette Kelso: Head of Training
Jeanette’s journey with dogs began in agility rings and obedience classes—and grew into a lifelong passion for understanding how dogs truly communicate. After apprenticing with Colleen in NYC and working with Far Fetched Acres for more than a decade, she has developed a training style rooted in empathy, body-language fluency, and confidence-building. Splitting her time between the city and camp, Jeanette loves helping pups decompress, grow, and return home happier, calmer, and more connected to their families.
Sara Munson, CPDT-KA: Director of Behavior & Trainer Development
A certified professional dog trainer and applied animal behaviorist, Sara brings both deep expertise and heartfelt intuition to her work. After years supporting dogs and families in Los Angeles—through private training, shelter programs, and youth education—she joined FFA to help campers build confidence, communication skills, and emotional resilience. Parents love Sara’s calm guidance and her gift for making training feel empowering for dogs and humans alike.
Kate Walsh, KPA- CTP: Senior Trainer
Kate’s love for dogs started early and has grown into a lifelong devotion to understanding how they think, feel, and communicate. A Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP) and former volunteer puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, she uses positive, science-based methods that build trust and confidence. Whether training, walking, or simply spending time with your pup, Kate’s goal is always the same: helping dogs feel happy, relaxed, and free to be themselves.
Melissa Ragaini: Team Lead
Melissa keeps camp moving—literally and figuratively. As Team Lead and one of FFA’s trusted drivers, she supports safe travel, smooth daily flow, and happy, well-balanced playgroups. Known for her calm confidence and eye for what dogs need in the moment, Melissa creates an environment where pups can relax, have fun, and truly thrive. Her goal is simple: make every stay joyful, stress-free, and full of good tail wags.
Kat Egan: Head of Growth & Marketing
Kat shapes the voice, vision, and growth of Far Fetched Acres, blending strategy, creativity, and a deep love for animals into everything she builds. With a background in culture strategy, operations, and brand development, she brings a people-first approach to creating thoughtful systems, strong teams, and a seamless experience for both pups and parents. A lifelong animal advocate, Kat is passionate about ensuring that FFA’s mission of care shines through every touchpoint.
Sue Geel: General Manager
Sue Geel leads daily operations at Far Fetched Acres with an exceptional blend of warmth, clarity, and steady leadership. From team guidance to systems and facility and property oversight, she ensures every pup—and every parent—receives consistent, thoughtful care. As co-founder of Lucky Wild Animal Rehab, Sue brings a lifelong dedication to animal welfare and believes that both dogs and people thrive best with structure, gentleness, and trust at the center.
Kara Russell: Client Services Lead
Kara is the heart of the client experience at Far Fetched Acres. With a strong background in hospitality, she ensures every family feels heard, supported, and confident from the very first interaction. Kara brings warmth, clarity, and exceptional follow-through to every conversation—helping communication flow seamlessly between parents, trainers, and the dog care team so each pup’s journey feels easy and well cared for.
Jayme Spencer: Camp Director
Jayme brings a powerful mix of dog knowledge, emotional intelligence, and leadership to her role as Camp Director. She is deeply committed to creating a space where every camper feels safe, enriched, and understood—and where the dog care team feels supported and inspired. Known for her intuition and compassion, Jayme helps ensure Far Fetched Acres remains a joyful, growth-centered experience for pups and people alike.