On January 15, 2026, after months of renovations, Mystic Paws Academy opened the doors to its new training facility with a clear purpose: helping people better understand their dogs. For owner Heather Pohlman, the academy is the realization of a lifelong passion that began decades before she ever considered opening a business.
Pohlman has been training professionally for more than 30 years, but her education started much earlier. Her mother, who worked at the Lincoln Park Zoo, introduced her to animal behavior and training while she was still a child. At just 6 years old, Pohlman trained her first dog, and by age 7, she had already earned Best in Tricks and Best in Show. Heather says she always knew training dogs is what she was meant to do.
Today, she shares the same enthusiasm through Mystic Paws Academy. Bright, clean and thoughtfully designed, the facility features multiple training spaces, a dedicated grooming area and a colorful mural that immediately sets a playful tone. Painted by tattoo artist, Taylor Kuhlman from Monster Ink Tattoo, the artwork reflects the academy's personality: welcoming, imaginative, and family-focused.
While teaching obedience is certainly part of the curriculum, Pohlman's mission reaches far beyond teaching a dog to sit or stay. Heather believes that educating both dogs and their families creates safer homes and stronger communities. Her passion stems from personal experience. After being bitten by a dog as a child, she understands firsthand the lasting emotional impact an incident can have.
Today, her goal is simple: keep children safe and keep dogs from being re-homed.
Rather than viewing dogs as stubborn or disobedient, Pohlman focuses on helping owners understand why dogs make the choices they do. By recognizing body language, emotions, and communication signals, families can prevent problems before they become dangerous.
Her commitment begins with the people doing the teaching. Pohlman is certified through Animal Behavior College and is CATCH Certified, credentials shared by every trainer on her staff. Before teaching independently, each trainer completes four to six months of mentorship under Pohlman while learning her proprietary curriculum.
She has assembled a team of six part-time trainers and one full-time employee, Kim Bell, who Pohlman jokes is "the other half of my brain."
The academy's curriculum is intentionally designed to make learning enjoyable for both children and adults. Instead of traditional beginner and advanced classes, students progress through four Harry Potter-inspired levels: Apprentice, Magician, Sorcerer, and Arch Mage. Each six- to eight-week course builds upon the previous one, developing stronger communication and handling skills along the way.
For owners interested in taking the next step, training can culminate in the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen evaluation. The nationally recognized certification demonstrates a dog's reliability in public settings and can provide practical benefits, including easing travel with pets and meeting requirements in some housing situations.
Families who prefer learning from home, or who live outside the area, can participate through Mystic Paws Academy's online program, which Bell manages. Every in-person client also receives access to the online academy, allowing them to continue practicing lessons between classes.
Driven by a desire to make reliable information accessible, Pohlman regularly offers free community seminars covering topics many dog owners struggle to understand. Her K9 Communication seminar explores canine body language, safe interactions between children and dogs, and important concepts like decompression time and the honeymoon period after adopting a rescue dog. The seminar is also required for children who wish to participate in training alongside their dogs.
She also teaches a K9 Nutrition seminar, drawing on additional certification through Animal Behavior College. Rather than promoting one feeding philosophy, the class objectively examines the history of dog food while explaining home-cooked, raw, and kibble diets. The program is offered in partnership with Thomas Tails, a local Crystal Lake pet store.
Another popular seminar, "Why Does My Dog...?" discusses the neuropsychology behind canine behavior, helping owners understand how dogs think, process emotions, and respond to training. Heather notes that this seminar is one of the most popular, and its easy to understand why; when we understand our dogs better we can strengthen the bond.
For Pohlman, these educational opportunities are simply another way to strengthen the community she serves, and her vision continues to grow. Future additions include hoopers, herding, nose work, trick training, and other enrichment classes. "Trick work is a good break for both dog and owner," she says. "It's a reminder that this is supposed to be fun."
She also plans to introduce veterinary care seminars, advanced training programs, and an ambitious rescue partnership initiative. Through the program, Pohlman hopes to provide free enrichment training for shelter staff across local and national rescue organizations while developing an affiliate network that offers newly adopting families discounts on classes. A portion of re-enrollment proceeds would then be donated back to participating shelters.
Her dedication to dogs is perhaps best represented by Phantom, her beloved Sheltie. Under Pohlman's guidance, Phantom became only the 12th Sheltie to earn the Champion Trick Dog title at just 2 years old. Although health issues forced an early retirement, the now-12-year-old remains at her side, a reminder that every dog's value extends far beyond titles and ribbons.
During a visit to the academy, Pohlman's young wire-haired Vizsla, Tango, happily demonstrated the partnership she strives to build between every dog and owner. Pohlman doesn't measure her success by well-trained dogs, but by confident families, informed owners, and stronger bonds. At Mystic Paws Academy, every trainer, class, and seminar works toward the same goal: creating happier dogs, safer homes, and a healthier community.
Pohlman's mission reaches far beyond teaching a dog to sit or stay. Heather believes that educating both dogs and their families creates safer homes and stronger communities