Jessie Burgess is a Licensed Veterinary Technician who graduated from Medaille College in 2016. She holds a Certified Companion Animal Rehabilitation Therapist (CCAT) certification from North Carolina State University’s credentialed program for canine rehabilitation education and training. She is passionate about improving canine mobility and quality of life through physical rehabilitation.
Her journey began with the 4-H dog club, where she trained and competed with her mixed-breed dog, Max in a variety of dog sports. This early involvement sparked a lifelong love for dog sports and behavior. Today, Jessie channels that passion into teaching obedience, conformation handling, being a flyball instructor, and also competing in a wide range of events including Rally, Scent Work, Barn Hunt, and Dock Diving with her crew!
Jessie completed several Conformation Championships and a few of her own dogs are ranked top in their breed for Conformation Owner Handler Series, Dock Diving, and Flyball. Jessie’s pack consists of a Gordon Setter (Trey), Whippet (Oakley), and Papillon (Tribble) and an adopted tetraplegic Chihuahua mix (Vera).
Jessie has been a dedicated Puppy Raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind since 2010. She is currently raising her 10th puppy, a German Shepherd named Siggi. Through her work with Guiding Eyes, Jessie has developed a deep appreciation for the human-animal bond, as well as the remarkable intelligence and biddability of dogs.
Jessies versatility and involvement in many arenas of the dog world are just few factors that led her to pursue Physical Rehabilitation! Rehab has allowed Jessie to work with a variety of dogs—young to old–improving their quality of life and enhancing the relationship between dogs and their owners.
Jessie brings a unique blend of professional expertise, hands-on experience, and community involvement to the world of canine sports and rehabilitation. With her ongoing pursuit of certification in strength and conditioning, she continues to make a significant impact on the dog sport community in Syracuse.
