Meet the People Behind Snitker Goldens
"We not only have the privilege of working with these incredible Golden Retrievers on a daily basis, we do it as a family. Our passion in the Golden Retriever is the relationship - whether that be as Companion, Service, Emotional Support, or Therapy dogs."
- Rhonda Snitker
- Rhonda Snitker
Rhonda Snitker
Owner/Breeder, The Imprint™ Manager
Rhonda has lived with animals for over fifty years and began raising Golden Retrievers in 2001. As a professional artist with a master's degree in Art Therapy, much of Rhonda's skills and excellence in this area uniquely equip her with the tools and ability to nurture and raise an exceptional puppy. Though every puppy is different, just as in children, each Snitker Golden puppy raised in The Imprint™ program under Rhonda's watchful, guiding care, has the same desire to connect with their human handler. It is a resounding theme within her program: the relationship-centered approach to raising and training Goldens.
Rhonda's primary role in overseeing puppy health, and management during critical imprinting weeks (0-8) before puppies head home to their forever families. She also loves the artistry that goes into selecting future breeders for the program. Rhonda is passionate about the working Golden, focusing on continuing education to improve the Snitker Goldens team members' skills. She especially enjoys her beloved adult Goldens and watching them mature into her close companions.
Owner/Breeder, The Imprint™ Manager
Rhonda has lived with animals for over fifty years and began raising Golden Retrievers in 2001. As a professional artist with a master's degree in Art Therapy, much of Rhonda's skills and excellence in this area uniquely equip her with the tools and ability to nurture and raise an exceptional puppy. Though every puppy is different, just as in children, each Snitker Golden puppy raised in The Imprint™ program under Rhonda's watchful, guiding care, has the same desire to connect with their human handler. It is a resounding theme within her program: the relationship-centered approach to raising and training Goldens.
Rhonda's primary role in overseeing puppy health, and management during critical imprinting weeks (0-8) before puppies head home to their forever families. She also loves the artistry that goes into selecting future breeders for the program. Rhonda is passionate about the working Golden, focusing on continuing education to improve the Snitker Goldens team members' skills. She especially enjoys her beloved adult Goldens and watching them mature into her close companions.
Fun Fact: Rhonda's first dog was not a Retriever, but instead, a Springer Spaniel, when she was a teenager. She ultimately fell in love with the Retriever when she and her husband brought home "Mandy" for their oldest son.
Todd Snitker
Adult Pack Management, Facility/Grounds, Construction, Puppy Care
Todd is the perfect partner in this business of working with the dogs. Besides being married to Rhonda and being part of the breeding program since its inception, Todd has a BS in Animal Science at ISU, and has been working with animals all of his life. Todd brings his perspective in genetics and animal management, his skills in carpentry, his ingenuity in design, and his overall "fix-it" ability that the family often refers to him as "born-knowin'". His insight and opinions on animal management are a highly valued part of our program. Even as Todd has been here since Snitker Goldens' beginning, he has "officially" been added to our employee roster in 2019. He can often be found calling Rhonda, "Chief" or "Boss" with a glimmer in his eye. Keeping things light is one of the things he does best!
After spending over 35 years building their dairy business, Todd is stepping aside a bit on dairy responsibilities for their two sons (and their families) to take over the daily of that job. Stepping aside is a loosely-used term at the farm, for Todd can be found building and fixing in both businesses! But his everyday work is now daily with his wife, Rhonda, as the two of them continue to press forward to improve what they do in the breeding and raising of Golden Retrievers.
Fun Fact: Todd always said he'd never have a dog in his home. Now, on occasion, he has dogs on his bed (compliments of Rhonda!)
Adult Pack Management, Facility/Grounds, Construction, Puppy Care
Todd is the perfect partner in this business of working with the dogs. Besides being married to Rhonda and being part of the breeding program since its inception, Todd has a BS in Animal Science at ISU, and has been working with animals all of his life. Todd brings his perspective in genetics and animal management, his skills in carpentry, his ingenuity in design, and his overall "fix-it" ability that the family often refers to him as "born-knowin'". His insight and opinions on animal management are a highly valued part of our program. Even as Todd has been here since Snitker Goldens' beginning, he has "officially" been added to our employee roster in 2019. He can often be found calling Rhonda, "Chief" or "Boss" with a glimmer in his eye. Keeping things light is one of the things he does best!
After spending over 35 years building their dairy business, Todd is stepping aside a bit on dairy responsibilities for their two sons (and their families) to take over the daily of that job. Stepping aside is a loosely-used term at the farm, for Todd can be found building and fixing in both businesses! But his everyday work is now daily with his wife, Rhonda, as the two of them continue to press forward to improve what they do in the breeding and raising of Golden Retrievers.
Fun Fact: Todd always said he'd never have a dog in his home. Now, on occasion, he has dogs on his bed (compliments of Rhonda!)
Stephanie (Snitker) Kelley
Communications, Web Design
Like many who have grown up in the country, Stephanie spent her younger years raising quite a few different animals - and not just limited to the four legged kind! She and her husband, Heath, adopted "Sam" in 2008 and have enjoyed Golden Retrievers in their life together ever since. Stephanie earned her bachelor's degree with a focus in marketing and design. While her professional life included design work for photographers until she joined Snitker Goldens in 2010, Stephanie has always enjoyed working with animals. A good cup of coffee and her dog to relax with is Stephanie's idea of a good time.
Stephanie is responsible for the majority of email and phone correspondence with families adopting Snitker Goldens. Her outgoing and warm personality is the first "face" you'll meet when you contact us. You can hear her passion about the work we do here and how this work influences and impacts the lives of future Golden owners. She also heads up any design, photo contests, web design, or creative "stuff" in general, including much of the photographic work you see online. Her keen eye is the one that takes many of the images in an effort to give you an inside look at our everyday with the puppies and dogs.
Communications, Web Design
Like many who have grown up in the country, Stephanie spent her younger years raising quite a few different animals - and not just limited to the four legged kind! She and her husband, Heath, adopted "Sam" in 2008 and have enjoyed Golden Retrievers in their life together ever since. Stephanie earned her bachelor's degree with a focus in marketing and design. While her professional life included design work for photographers until she joined Snitker Goldens in 2010, Stephanie has always enjoyed working with animals. A good cup of coffee and her dog to relax with is Stephanie's idea of a good time.
Stephanie is responsible for the majority of email and phone correspondence with families adopting Snitker Goldens. Her outgoing and warm personality is the first "face" you'll meet when you contact us. You can hear her passion about the work we do here and how this work influences and impacts the lives of future Golden owners. She also heads up any design, photo contests, web design, or creative "stuff" in general, including much of the photographic work you see online. Her keen eye is the one that takes many of the images in an effort to give you an inside look at our everyday with the puppies and dogs.
Fun Fact: Stephanie was an active member of 4-H as a young girl and she and her dog, Beau, competed in several local obedience competitions...they didn't always win first prize, but they did have a great time.
Mike Woodson
Senior Trainer and Puppy Handler
For over 30 years, Mike has been breeding pure bred dogs and is passionate about preserving the ancient Norwegian Buhund (or Norwegian Sheepdog). It's not hard at all to engage in avid dog conversations with him and he is a staunch supporter of excellence in breeding. In addition to being a Breeder of Merit and experienced trainer, Mike has taught a variety of dog classes in northeastern Iowa - many of which have seen Snitker Golden breeding dams complete over the years as young pups. :) He's handled, trained, and shown a variety of dog breeds and competes in obedience, rally, and barn hunts with his Norwegian Buhunds.
Service training is also something Mike is passionate about and another part of what makes him a great fit with Snitker Goldens. We look forward to what this year has in store and the expertise Mike brings with him.
Fun Fact: Mike made breed history when Nisse (CH Nisse UD RAE RATS TKN) became first in her breed (Norwegian Buhund) to earn the Utility Dog title in 2018!
Senior Trainer and Puppy Handler
For over 30 years, Mike has been breeding pure bred dogs and is passionate about preserving the ancient Norwegian Buhund (or Norwegian Sheepdog). It's not hard at all to engage in avid dog conversations with him and he is a staunch supporter of excellence in breeding. In addition to being a Breeder of Merit and experienced trainer, Mike has taught a variety of dog classes in northeastern Iowa - many of which have seen Snitker Golden breeding dams complete over the years as young pups. :) He's handled, trained, and shown a variety of dog breeds and competes in obedience, rally, and barn hunts with his Norwegian Buhunds.
Service training is also something Mike is passionate about and another part of what makes him a great fit with Snitker Goldens. We look forward to what this year has in store and the expertise Mike brings with him.
Fun Fact: Mike made breed history when Nisse (CH Nisse UD RAE RATS TKN) became first in her breed (Norwegian Buhund) to earn the Utility Dog title in 2018!
Bethany Swanson (Intern)
Assistant Trainer and Animal Care Technician
We're excited to introduce our Spring/Summer intern, Bethany Swanson, who is a graduating Animal Science senior at Iowa State University. This past year, her focus has been in companion animal science, but more specifically, service dog training with Retrieving Freedom.
"Last fall, I took part in the first Service Dog Training Independent Study at Iowa State. I was working as a part of a team of animal science students each fostering a puppy from 4 through 12 months of age. Not only did we train puppies, but also represented the project through public speaking and outreach events. The pilot program is fully supported by Retrieving Freedom Inc. I've enjoyed working with Retrieving Freedom to foster and train dogs for children on the autism spectrum and military veterans. Being a participant in the year-long program solidified my interest in incorporating service dog training into my career. This year I had the opportunity to be the teacher's assistant for the ISU Service Dog Training Program which has given me the opportunity to grow in my leadership and communication skills. Working as a TA has afforded me the chance to develop the next group of students in the program and challenged me to do things that were otherwise outside my comfort zone."
Welcome aboard, Bethany! We're so excited to have you beside us learning more about the incredible role these animals play in the lives of their humans.
Fun Fact: Bethany would love to own her own herd of Highland cattle some day.
Assistant Trainer and Animal Care Technician
We're excited to introduce our Spring/Summer intern, Bethany Swanson, who is a graduating Animal Science senior at Iowa State University. This past year, her focus has been in companion animal science, but more specifically, service dog training with Retrieving Freedom.
"Last fall, I took part in the first Service Dog Training Independent Study at Iowa State. I was working as a part of a team of animal science students each fostering a puppy from 4 through 12 months of age. Not only did we train puppies, but also represented the project through public speaking and outreach events. The pilot program is fully supported by Retrieving Freedom Inc. I've enjoyed working with Retrieving Freedom to foster and train dogs for children on the autism spectrum and military veterans. Being a participant in the year-long program solidified my interest in incorporating service dog training into my career. This year I had the opportunity to be the teacher's assistant for the ISU Service Dog Training Program which has given me the opportunity to grow in my leadership and communication skills. Working as a TA has afforded me the chance to develop the next group of students in the program and challenged me to do things that were otherwise outside my comfort zone."
Welcome aboard, Bethany! We're so excited to have you beside us learning more about the incredible role these animals play in the lives of their humans.
Fun Fact: Bethany would love to own her own herd of Highland cattle some day.
