Maggie Thornfield is a CPDT-KA certified dog trainer and poodle rescue specialist with over 15 years of experience in poodle adoption, training, and care.
After six years as a veterinary technician assistant, Maggie earned her professional training certification and dedicated her career to breed-specific poodle rescue. She has personally fostered more than 80 poodles and helped place over 300 into loving homes through her work with Northwest Poodle Rescue and the foster network she co-founded.
As a Fear Free Certified Professional and AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, Maggie brings science-based expertise and genuine compassion to every article. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her three rescued standard poodles: Biscuit, Fern, and Professor Fluffington.
Credentials & Certifications
- CPDT-KA — Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed
- AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
- Fear Free Certified Professional
- 15+ years volunteering with breed-specific poodle rescues
- Former veterinary technician assistant (6 years)
Areas of Expertise
- Poodle adoption process and rescue organizations
- Breed-specific grooming and coat maintenance
- Poodle temperament, intelligence, and training
- Size varieties: standard, miniature, and toy poodle differences
- Poodle health issues and preventive care
- First-time poodle owner guidance
- Poodle mixes and doodle breed comparisons
- Senior poodle care and special needs adoption
- Puppy vs. adult poodle adoption considerations
- Poodle-friendly living situations (apartments, families, multi-pet homes)
