Jan's Bio

Jan Magnuson, a native of the Pacific Northwest, is a highly respected dog trainer and Animal Control Officer in the state of Washington. She has been active in the animal industry since 1975, and since 1988 has been the Animal Control Officer for the Des Moines Police Department. She is the owner/trainer of Sunstar All-Breed Dog Training; she instructs group obedience/good manners classes, conducts private training sessions, and is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. And, she raises and shows Best-In-Show Champion American Bulldogs and Weimaraners under the "SUNSTAR" kennel name.
 
She has owned a pet supply and grooming shop, and has managed a boarding, training and grooming kennel. She has worked with veterinarians, other trainers, U.S. Customs Narcotic Detection Canine Officers, and Port of Seattle Police Explosive Detection Canine Officers. She has worked dogs in personal protection, Schutzhund, tracking, conformation, herding, agility, Therapy Dog work, and advanced obedience. She has shown many dogs in AKC and UKC dog shows, breeds that include American Bulldogs, Weimaraners, Akitas, Rottweilers, St. Bernards, Bloodhounds, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherd Dogs, Flatcoated Retrievers, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.  She has attained 18 obedience titles, 9 Champion titles, 6 Best-In-Show awards and 6 Reserve Best-In-Show awards on her own dogs.
 
She attended the Washington Animal Control Officer Academy, and is now the director and an instructor. She has also attended classes at the Des Moines Reserve Police Officer Academy, and has received the following additional training:
 
Animal cruelty investigations
Defensive tactics, restraint, take-downs and ground fighting
Stick Baton, Bite Stick, Firearms, Taser, OC Spray
Animal legend drugs and chemical capture
Western riding and horsemanship
Officer safety and survival- physical and emotional
Officer Peer Support, Critical Incident Stress Management, Group Crisis Intervention, and Compassion Fatigue
Animal first aid, trauma care and euthanasia
Animal disaster preparedness
ID, capture, handling and care of house pets, livestock, reptiles, birds and exotics
Animal viruses, vaccines and zoonotic diseases
Dog breeding, genetics and puppy management
Animal nutrition and holistic care
Dog and horse Breed ID, physiology, structure and movement
Problem dog evaluation and behavior modification
Vicious and dangerous dog capture and handling
Dog tracking techniques and scent discrimination
Conformation, Obedience and Agility show dog handling
Animal transportation and air shipping
Dog breed-specific medical disorders
Herding techniques and instinct certification
Pet and show dog grooming
Service/Assistance Dog and Therapy Dog identification and handling
Law enforcement instructor development
 
She is Vice President of the Washington Animal Control Association. She is also a member of the National Animal Control Association, the American Bulldog Association, the Weimaraner Club of America, Ducks Unlimited, the Des Moines Rotary Club, and the Des Moines Police Guild.
 
She has taught animal handling/officer safety classes to police officers and fire fighters, has made training videos used by police departments, and has been on interview boards for hiring police/animal control officers. She is certified in First Aid, CPR, animal cruelty investigations, horse condition scoring, legend drugs and chemical capture, animal euthanasia, defensive tactics, OC spray, firearms, Taser, stick baton and bite stick.
 
She has done volunteer work taking pets to schools, day care and youth centers, taking certified Therapy Dogs to hospital facilities and nursing/retirement homes, giving presentations to civic and professional groups, judging obedience matches, and assisting at veterinary clinics. She has written pet care articles that have been published in magazines and newsletters, has had newspaper articles written about her, and has been on television several times with her trained dogs.
 
She was the City of Des Moines Employee of the Year in 1991, she received the Des Moines Police Exemplary Performance Award in 2000, and was awarded her Master Animal Control Officer title in March 2006.
 
Jan has instructed thousands of people and dogs throughout the years, and her canine clients include shelter adopted mixed breeds, beloved family pets, and purebred champion show dogs. She has "Devon" and "Reina" the American Bulldogs, "Aspen" the Weimaraner, "Bonsai" the Japanese Chin, "Senna" and "Sky" the barn cats, and "Boomer" the foundation Morgan horse.  Jan's affection and caring attitude for animals and people are evident in her professional and personal life, and she is happiest with her pets by her side!