Peggy Law

Founder & Director of Training

Peggy studied service dog work in 1999 at the Assistance Dog Institute in Rohnert Park, California with Bonnie Bergin, originator of the service dog concept and founder of the first service dog organization in the United States. In pursuit of more specialized skills in animal training, Peggy enrolled in the Operant Conditioning Workshops in Hot Springs, Arkansas run by Robert and Marion Bailey, and considered among the most intense and thorough training workshops in the country.  She has attended the trainer’s workshop given by Ken Ramirez at the Shedd Aquarium as well as multiple “Clicker Expo” training workshops. She also attended National Service Dogs in Ontario, Canada to learn about training dogs to assist children with Autism. Peggy holds a BA from William Smith College. She has worked with adults and children with a range of disabilities. Peggy continues to attend training workshops and seminars throughout the country, always seeking to become a better trainer and service dog provider.

Amber Capron

Executive Director

Amber joined Service Dogs of Virginia in 2009. She is a native of Albemarle County and has a background in event management, communications, development, and politics. Most recently, she has worked at GreenBlue and the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia. Amber has also served as finance director and campaign manager for local, state and federal campaigns. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious studies from the University of Virginia. She is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute’s Political Leaders Program and a graduate of Leadership Charlottesville. Amber and her husband enjoy fostering animals for the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA. They have a dachshund-jack russel mix, a beagle, and a stubborn old horse of their own.

Janet Trauger

Trainer

Janet began as a volunteer SDV puppy raiser in 2006 by raising Labrador puppy, Huckleberry. In 2007, she joined SDV as part-time trainer to assist with the growing population of dogs in training. Janet currently teaches the weekly puppy classes attended by pups and raisers, as well as assisting Peggy with the advanced training for the older dogs. Janet started her work with animals assisting people during college, when she both volunteered for and was on the Board of Directors for the Shenandoah Center for Therapeutic Riding. After 10 years with SCTR, she worked on a horse farm for 8 years helping with barn management and the riding program. Janet has attended Clicker Expo, and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference. She holds a BS from James Madison University.

Janet and her husband Rich have had a steady flow of service dogs in training living in their home. The addition of SDV dog, Honeydew, and another advanced training dog, to their own menagerie of 4 cats, 2 Siberian huskies, and a horse means it is a lifestyle, not a job.

2009 SDV Board of Directors

President R. Marc Johnson, M.Ed.
Treasurer Kristin Henningsen
Secretary Timothy I. Kelsey, Esq.,
Martin B. Betts, D.V.M.
Megan Huffman
Valerie Kirkman
Jeffrey Lamie
Charlotte L. Rea
Martha Rodgers
E. Anne Susen