In March 2023, we chose Mid-Michigan K9 Academy to establish a solid training foundation for our…read morehigh-energy boxer, Whiskey, who was just five months old. What I initially believed to be a trustworthy partnership quickly unraveled into a nightmare. Over time, I endured verbal abuse, harassment, and manipulation at the hands of James (Jim) and his significant other, Darcy (Dee).
Whiskey completed a 14-day board-and-train program at Mid-Michigan K9 Academy. However, soon after, I noticed a behavioral issue and reached out for guidance. Instead of receiving support and education, I was met with immediate dismissal. I later discovered that the responses I believed were from James were actually from Darcy impersonating him.
A few months later, I faced health challenges that required routine medical treatment in Saginaw, which allowed me to drop Whiskey off for daycare on a regular schedule. When my treatment schedule changed, I informed the staff--both two weeks in advance and again on the day of my last pickup. However, when I arrived at the facility on the revised day, I was met with an unsettling experience. I waited for 20 minutes with no staff in sight, despite hearing them in the back room. When I finally called out, Darcy stormed out, yelling that I had no appointment. James followed, demanding I leave. I stood my ground, insisting they check the cameras to confirm my scheduled visit. After reviewing the footage, James admitted their mistake and offered a half-hearted apology. Unfortunately, this was just the beginning of months of continued mistreatment.
Eventually, I stopped bringing Whiskey to daycare. A year later, once my health improved, I decided to give Mid-Michigan K9 Academy another chance. It didn't take long for the same pattern of abuse to resume. While trying to arrange an exit bath for Whiskey before a vacation, I encountered endless delays, vague responses from staff, and outright hostility from Darcy and James. After a week of back-and-forth messages, James told me his bath would be taken care of, only for his staff to later claim they no longer offered the service --despite recent emails outlining new pricing. The abuse continued. By then, I had lost all trust in their business and felt deeply uneasy about Whiskey's treatment in my absence.
After two days without any updates on Whiskey, I reached out to Darcy. Instead of a simple response about my dog, I was met with further mistreatment and bullying, resulting in James repeatedly calling and messaging me, accusing me of being rude and saying, "If you don't like it, you can come pick up your dog"--three days before my vacation was set to end. When I chose not to engage while on vacation, James terminated the relationship.
When I requested a refund on the remaining credits from my prepaid October 2023 daycare visits, James responded with hostility, aggression, and harassment, ultimately physically forcing my husband and me off his property. His behavior prompted us to dig deeper into his background.
I was beyond disturbed to learn that James is a convicted murderer, recently released from a life sentence due to a gubernatorial decision. Given his history and his treatment of me, I no longer feel safe anywhere near him. I encourage everyone to look further into his disturbing past. (his version of the story is NOT the story.)
This entire experience has been nothing short of abusive. From impersonating staff members to financial exploitation, bullying, and verbal harassment, Mid-Michigan K9 Academy operates with blatant disregard for basic human respect and integrity. Their actions not only reflect poor business ethics but also raise serious concerns about the safety and well-being of both clients and their pets.
I took the legal steps to fight for my credit owed and won my case. I will continue warning others about the dangers of engaging with this business. No one should have to endure the mistreatment I faced. James is not fit for society--he continues to manipulate, silence, and exploit others while refusing to take accountability for his actions.
I hope my story serves as a cautionary tale for anyone seeking pet training services. Proceed with extreme caution.
