10 Questions with Chris Wisswell

This week I’m featuring a woman with a very hard job. She’s got a job I’d truly never have the strength to do. Every day, she interacts with people who say things like “I’m moving and can’t take my cat with me.” (Uh, last time I checked, cats were allowed in every city in the world.) They also say things like, “We had a baby and we don’t want our dog anymore.” (Absolutely brutal.) And she does it with a smile…Well, 99% of the time!  ;)

She also gets to save lives, create second chances and make many people very happy!

She’s the Adoption Manager for the Michigan Animal Adoption Network. Her name is Chris Wisswell and lemme tell you: She’s fabulous at what she does AND she’s a stronger woman than me!

Chris Wisswell

What city did you grow up in? I was born in Detroit, moved to Warren when I was 3, then moved to Shelby Township when I was 7 years old. I have been here ever since!

What was your first job? Data entry clerk at a lawyer’s office in Bloomfield Hills, MI

Where did you go to college? Macomb Community College

Tell me about your business/company. I work for the Michigan Animal Adoption Network (MAAN). MAAN rescues animals, educates pet owners, provides low-cost spaying/neutering and low-cost vaccination clinics, adopts out cats and dogs and provides food, straw and love to animals in need.

What makes it unique? The main subsidiary of MAAN is the Animal Care Network (ACN). The ACN goes “onto the streets” to make a difference in animal’s lives. Dedicated volunteers go out each weekend, year round, rescuing and providing relief to outdoor and indoor animals. Some of the supplies provided include: dog houses, straw, food, water, bowls and leashes. The Animal Care Network also hosts two low-cost vaccine clinics in Pontiac every year. At each clinic, over 1,000 animals are vaccinated. These are animals that probably would not have been vaccinated if it wasn’t for the clinics.

What do you love most about what you do? I make a difference in the life of an animal. I am able to match up surrendered animals with their new forever families.

What is one thing most people don’t know about you (hidden talent, etc.)? I like to roller skate when I have a chance.

Outside of work, what are some of your passions? Gardening, reading

What do you think is the biggest misconception about this state? That Michiganders are rude.

What things draw you to downtown Detroit? Red Wings, Thanksgiving Parade

Lighting Round:

MSU or U of M? No preference

Ford, GM or Chrysler? Chrysler? Always have driven Chrysler vehicles and never had a problem with them.

Lions, Tigers, Pistons or Red Wings? Red Wings

Facebook or Twitter? Facebook

Favorite local radio station? WRIF

Favorite local TV station? WDIV

Favorite local brand? Faygo

Favorite restaurant? Anita’s Kitchen in Ferndale. And “I Luv Pizza” in Shelby Township is the best place for pizza!!!

Favorite place to vacation in Michigan? “Up North”

Favorite place to take out-of-towners? n/a

10 Questions with Bonny Wainz

This week I’m featuring Bonny Wainz for my “10 Questions with Metro Detroiters.” Bonny worked wonders with helping me train my dog Pebbles to be well-behaved and we’ve been friends ever since.

Bonny and a few of her students

LW: What city did you grow up in?

BW: I grew up in Warren, but I thought I lived in the country. The subdivision was brand new and many streets were still dirt roads when I was a kid. Our house had a 200ft x 300ft backyard . The yard was perfect for all types of adventures and a great place to play with our family dog, Ryan.

LW: What was your first job?

BW: My very first job was a paper route. I used to deliver The Detroit News. The best part about this job is that occasionally I would take my Dog with me. I have to admit the first time I took him along it didn’t go so well. He knocked over my bike and peed on the papers, but I persevered and eventually he learned to do a sit stay next to the bike.

LW: Where did you go to college?

BW: I went to Oakland University and have a bachelor’s degree in Business.

LW: Tell me about your business/company.

BW: The name of my company is Alternative Canine Training and our primary goal is to help people and train dogs. We do in-home dog training as well as provide group classes and each program is tailored to the individual dog and person.

LW: What makes it unique?

BW: People often ask why it’s ‘Alternative’ and I always tell them it is a natural form of training.  We teach our clients to think like their dog thinks. We use ‘Doglish,’ another words we teach them how to use their body, facial expressions and tone of voice just like a dog. This way the dog learns very quickly what we want and expect out of them.

LW: What do you love most about what you do?

BW: I am probably the most fortunate person around. I get to work with animals all day. What I really like the most is that I can help people. There is nothing more satisfying than to see an owner and dog’s relationship change. It goes from the owner being frustrated with their dog’s behavior and the dog from being a hyper, nervous and also frustrated to one were they are both calm, content and happy.

LW: What is one thing most people don’t know about you (hidden talent, etc.)?

BW: I love painting the little ceramic houses that you see at Christmas time. They may never be collectors like the Lemax Village houses, but I love methodically painting each detail. Sometimes it takes me two years to paint one house as I only do this in the winter time.

LW: Outside of work, what are some of your passions?

BW: It is hard for me to differentiate work and play as many of my hobbies are with my dogs. I love skiing, hiking, field training (all with my dogs),  golf and traveling. They won’t let me take a dog in a golf cart.

LW: What do you think is the biggest misconception about this state?

BW: That Detroit is all bad.

LW: What things draw you to downtown Detroit?

BW: I love many of the activities in Detroit. I also love the nautical museum and planetarium at Belle Isle.

Lighting Round:

MSU or U of M? U of M  (just because my Dad would always say “Go Blue”

Ford, GM or Chrysler? GM

Lions, Tigers, Pistons or Red Wings?  Tigers

Facebook or Twitter? Facebook

Favorite local TV station? Channel 4

Favorite local brand? Chicken Shack

Favorite restaurant? 2 Sisters (in Rochester) or Nicki’s (in Royal Oak)

Favorite place to vacation in Michigan? Alpena

Favorite place to take out-of-towners? Frankenmuth