Alex has been training dogs since the late 1970′s with an extensive background in all types of training. He was a columnist for The Daily Herald and for Journal & Topics. He has worked with local police canine units and has even trained narcotics dogs. For animal control, he does evaluations and has appeared in court as an expert witness. He also works closely with local animal shelters and rescue organizations doing volunteer work in training dogs so they are easier to place in a forever home. He trains dogs to help the physically challenged gain improved freedom, independence, and quality of life. His canine training expertise has gained the attention of many well known sport superstars including Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Tony Kukoc, Cliff Levingston, Maurice Douglas, Bobby Simmons, Antonio Davis and Jalen Rose, to name a few. Furthermore, Alex has been called to audition, and has supplied dogs for, MTV music videos, educational videos, and Home Alone 3. His expertise was sought out by The Paw Stop in New York City, were he spent many months working with them to improve their own training and behavioral program. While in New York he worked with the dogs of Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos and Food Network Personality Scott Conant. He also worked with some of the Bernadette Peter’s rescue dogs. Alex also speaks at many dog training and behavioral seminars and is a frequent guest on the local cable show Contempo. He incorporates his skill as a level II Reiki, or healer, into his behavioral techniques and he is a Shaman Practitioner. He was called by Nancy Glass Production company to work on some episodes of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC WILD show “My Dog Ate What?” and he was called upon by Holistic Select dog food co. to give expert training and dog behavior advise.

Marcy Brooks has been working with dogs for over 21 years. She began training her family dog only to find what training methods she did NOT like. When she got her own dog she began researching trainers and found the method she liked best. She eventually quit her job and began working for the trainer. While with the trainer, she met her husband Alex Brooks. He had been working with the same trainer for many years and was perfecting his technique playing to his own natural talents and abilities. Together Marcy and Alex opened Alex Brooks School of Dog Training (now Alex Brooks Canine Center), in 1989. Marcy is a Certified Canine Specialist, certified in Pet CPR and First Aid, a Reiki Master, a AKC CGC Evaluator, and has been educated in the use of essential oils on pets. Marcy has three children that keep her busy outside of work; her daughters Heather and Illana, and her son Colton. Marcy also spends her time with her Sphynx cat Fiona, her German Shepard Ruger, her mastif Biggy and her Frenchy Esme’. She is curently working on her phd in Metaphysical Science.

Marcy has also initialized a de-stress with a dog program for finals week at Carthage College, and is working on getting this program into other local colleges and university’s. She has also developed the Read to Paws program at the Des Plaines Library and has been working for a couple of years at Have Dreams (a school for autistic children) with their canine program. Currently Marcy is a member of the Board of Directors for Pits for Patriots a non-for-profit organization that trains and places homeless pitbulls as service dogs for our veterans.