Meet Alicia

Alicia’s passion, dedication, and heartfelt connection with dogs and their humans is special and rare. Her creativity for the development of classes that are goal-oriented, fun, and fast-paced is infectious.

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Alicia’s journey started with pet therapy to honor her father who passed away from Alzheimer’s. Dogs kept him active, connected, and happier much longer than ever expected. She wanted to help others find joy and escape their mental, emotional, and physical pain, even if only for a few minutes. This may have been the start of her journey, but Philly Unleashed is happy to say it didn’t stop there.

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Today, Alicia has certified five of her own dogs and completed more than 1,000 therapy visits with her dogs. Alicia’s dogs have collectively earned a combined total of approximately 100 titles, badges, competitions, and awards in a variety of areas.

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Alicia has also been asked to guest lecture at Temple University, Temple Medical School Bioethics, Temple Hospital Grand Rounds, University,

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Temple Medical School Bioethics, Temple Hospital Grand Rounds, University Hospital of Pennsylvania, Simmons School of Social Work, and Jefferson Hospital. She has also been a guest speaker at elementary schools talking with kids about dog safety, care, and proper interactions.

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Alicia found enjoyment training in agility, rally, competitive style obedience, nose work, barn hunt, freestyle, pet therapy, tricks and search and rescue. She takes all she has learned to help clients reach their individual goals with their canine companions while having fun!

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Alicia took over the therapy dog and Canine Good Citizen program teaching for Philly Unleashed. Lucky for us, she also teaches all level obedience classes, tricks, and shy dog workshops.

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You can follow Alicia and her dogs on Instagram @PhillyHotDogs or Facebook at Alicia Roberts Harantschuk.