Meet Mattison Skoog-simpson

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mattison Skoog-simpson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mattison, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

My journey really started in a prison cell over 8 years ago. I was Broken with a capital B and lost in a way that’s hard to put into words, and dogs saved my life. I was incarcerated for 5 years at two different institutions and was working with dogs for the majority of that time in a variety of capacities. They were, quite literally, the reason for me to get up in the morning. I learned and then trained others how to train dogs and eventually how to groom dogs. I was exposed to the staff dog, service dog, and rescue dog programs at both institutions. The educational resources and training methods at the two facilities varied greatly. I think these programs matter – they reduce both recidivism for inmates as well as reducing local shelter volume, and when they are set up right, they are self-sustainable and serve multiple areas of the community at the same time. I spent a long time living in shame, but now I’m accepting my past and owning the fact that I’ve made mistakes. I’m learning that resonates with people, and that somewhere along the way dog guardians started feeling like they needed to be perfect or they were a failure, and I want to show them that you can make mistakes and still be enough for your dog. After an insane amount of hands-on-experience over that 5 years (think 24-hours a day, 365 kind of a deal), when I was released I DOVE into behavior education. I now focus my business, Freed by Training, on virtual training for complex dogs and the people who love them. I also help other professionals learn more about the science behind changing behavior and emotions and also how to build a dog business and market for themselves without paid ads. I never imagined I would find my purpose in a prison dog training training program, but I quite literally couldn’t go back to a corporate job when I was released.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Mattison Skoog-Simpson and my brand, Freed by Training, is built on second chances. I learned to train dogs in a prison dog training program while incarcerated for 5 years. Now I work with people all over the world to help them understand their complex dog through an innovative daily virtual training. I’m a multi-certified dog behavior expert and I coach other trainers on a better understanding of both dog behavior and dog business. I have free and low-cost resources for both dog guardians and dog professionals on my websites www.freedbytraining.com and www.thedogbiznerd.com

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1) Discipline. Don’t underestimate what consistency can do in you and for you. Showing up is my super power.

2) Curiosity. I firmly believe the best dog trainers/animal behavior experts are the ones who are staying curious and always open to learning new things.

3) Resilience. Things will not go as planned. Things will get hard. It’s easy to be focused and kind when things are going well – it’s a more useful skill to be able to maintain focus and kindness when things are not going well.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

One person in particular has stepped up in my life and kept me from standing in my own way these past few years. Without her, I don’t think I could or would openly tell the story of my incarceration. She has helped me close the door on feeling shame about my past and step into the light in a way that helps other people not feel alone. She’s one of my dearest friends and although I know she knows, there aren’t really the words to tell her how much she’s done and how much she means to me.

Her name is Jerri Scherff and she is known as Sailor Jerri the Dog Trainer. I am a part of her virtual dog training cooperative, Tulsa Pack Athletics, and she and I co-host the only clinical dog behavior podcast: unPACKed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.freedbytraining.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedbytraining
• Other: https://www.thedogbiznerd.com