2017 Women in Building Services: Kristine Schmidt, Environmental Geese Control, Inc.

Name: Kristine Schmidt

Title: President

Company Name: Environmental Geese Control, Inc.

Years in real estate: 3

How have you navigated obstacles to achieve success in your career?

The service my company provides is unique. We use Border Collie dogs to herd, chase and haze Canada Geese from private properties, golf courses, housing communities and school fields. What started out as a hobby in dog training in 1994 has become my retirement job. For 30 years I have worked as a system analysis/programmer for a few consulting firms and finally the last 17 years in banking. In 1994, I got involved in dog training, exhibiting in events offered by the American Kennel Club and earning obedience achievements on several dogs I owned over the years. I always envisioned that this hobby would allow me to offer private dog training lessons when I retire. I never thought I would be given the opportunity by my dog training mentor to carry on the company she and her husband started. 

Of course, I had to prove myself by working for the company and training my own rescue dog as well as a rescue dog for Governors Island Trust. As for knowing how to handle the other parts of the company, my experience as a programmer consultant and system analysis provided me with customer service and accounting experience I needed. Once they saw my success and determination, they offered me the company. I took over the company in 2015 and kept on the current employees as well as adding a new part-time trainer/handler. So now I am spending every day with my dogs whom are the joy of my life.

How do you play your strengths to your advantage in your career?

With over 25 years’ experience training various breeds of dogs with high drive, I know how to read the behavior of a dog, shape that behavior to create an action that I want. A good goose dog is always in training, that is why training needs to be positively enforced with treats or positive verbal exuberance. Having a positive attitude with a dog creates a confident reliable dog. 

What do you do for fun?

I play with my dogs in agility and obedience competition enjoying their companionship with the company of our friends and their dogs.