Mindful Mentor
About
Our Mission
At Mindful Mentor Behavior, our mission is to help pets and their people build more confident, connected lives together. Through science-based training and behavior support, we look beyond symptoms to understand the root causes of behavior and create practical, individualized plans that support long-term success
Our Values
Compassion First
Behavior challenges can feel overwhelming for both pets and people. We strive to create a supportive, judgment-free environment where every family feels heard, understood, and empowered.
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Understanding Before Intervention
Every behavior serves a purpose. We believe meaningful, lasting change begins by understanding the underlying factors influencing behavior—not simply addressing symptoms.
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Individualized Care
No two pets or families are the same. We tailor our recommendations to each pet’s unique needs, emotional wellbeing, lifestyle, and goals.
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Science with Heart
Our approach is grounded in behavioral science while remaining practical, compassionate, and focused on real-life success.
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Education & Empowerment
We believe lasting change happens when owners understand how their pets learn, communicate, and experience the world. Our goal is to provide the knowledge and tools needed to create confident, connected relationships.
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Progress Over Perfection
Behavior change is a journey. We celebrate growth, support realistic expectations, and focus on sustainable progress rather than quick fixes.
Our Training Philosophy
We believe effective training is built on understanding, communication, and trust—not force, intimidation, or quick fixes. Our approach is rooted in behavioral science and focuses on teaching pets the skills they need to successfully navigate everyday life while supporting their emotional wellbeing throughout the learning process.
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Rather than simply suppressing unwanted behaviors, we work to understand why behaviors occur and help owners create clear, consistent, and achievable learning opportunities for their companions. Training is individualized to each pet’s temperament, developmental stage, environment, and family goals.
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We emphasize prevention, relationship-building, and practical real-life skills that promote confidence, resilience, and long-term success. By helping owners better understand how dogs learn and communicate, we create more effective training outcomes and stronger human-animal relationships.
Founder | Animal Behavior Consultant
Jessey Scheip
LVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA-CTP, FFCP (Elite)
Hi, I’m Jessey Scheip, Founder & Lead Animal Behavior Consultant at Mindful Mentor Behavior. My background in veterinary nursing, animal behavior, and training has shaped the way I approach helping pets and their families—by looking beyond the behavior itself and understanding why it’s happening.
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I believe every animal deserves to be seen as an individual, and every family deserves support that feels compassionate, practical, and achievable. My passion is helping people better understand how their pets learn, communicate, and experience the world so they can build stronger relationships and create lasting change.
In addition to working directly with families, I enjoy supporting and educating other animal care professionals on how behavior principles can improve patient care, handling, communication, and overall wellbeing.
Jessey is a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) in Virginia, maintains her Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) in Behavior, is a certified trainer through the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA-CTP), and a member of Fear Free's Speaker's Bureau.
... with Jessey!
Publications
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Quick Tips: The Top Ideas to Help with the Most Common Behavior Problems
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Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Canine and Feline Behavior, 3rd Ed.
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Dog & Cat Behavior Myth Debunked
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Veterinary Practice News
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Managing Fear-Based Aggression in Veterinary Practice
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NAVTA Journal
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Diets & Dietary Supplements for Anxiety in Dogs
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Today's Veterinary Nurse
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Completing a Comprehensive Behavioral History
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Today's Veterinary Nurse
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Presentations
VALVT Conference - Roanoke, VA
Fetch360 - San Diego, CA
VMX Veterinary Meeting & Expo - Orlando, FL
Southwest Veterinary Symposium - Fort Worth, TX
Delaware Veterinary Medical Association - Wilmington, DE
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My Team
Michelle Frolov
LVT, MScCAB, KPA-CTP, FFCP (Elite)
Michelle Frolov is a Licensed Veterinary Technician originally from Michigan and currently based in Northern Virginia. Her passion for animal behavior deepened after spending three years working as a zookeeper, an experience that reinforced the importance of understanding behavior as an essential part of animal care and wellbeing. Returning to veterinary medicine with this new perspective shaped the way she approaches supporting both animals and the people who care for them.
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Michelle is currently pursuing her dog training certification through the Karen Pryor Academy and is passionate about helping owners better understand the why behind their pets’ behavior. She believes that empathy, education, and a deeper understanding of how animals learn and communicate are the foundation for creating meaningful, lasting change.
... with Michelle!