About Happy Together, LLC

The CEO of Happy Together Cat Training, LLC, is moi, Lise Millay Stevens, ABCCT, M.A. - a certified cat trainer/behaviorist and  supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. (Also hold a Master's degree in Spanish and a Bachelor's in French.)
Received my certifications from Animal Behavior College, where  coursework included:

• Feline first aid
• Creating a cat-safe home
• Learning theories of the feline mind
• Cat psychology physiology, care and nutrition
• Behavior modification approaches
• Effective training tools
• Cat & kitten socialization techniques 

My internship was completed at the Cleveland Animal Protective League.
 I founded Happy Together, LLC, with an eye to:
1. Preventing cats and kittens from losing their 'forever' homes due to behavioral issues
2. Training new cat guardians on how to provide a happy and healthy home for their feline friends
3. Providing free education about all things feline to improve the public understanding of cats and their care, and remove misconceptions and stigmatization of these amazing beings. 
      I still serve the APL as a foster guardian for cats and kittens, and as a cat adoption specialist; I work on behavior issues with 'difficult' cats. 
       My own cat guardian journey began quite unexpectedly when, on a freezing winter morning, the neighbor's kids showed up with an exhausted cat, paws frost-bitten. This was a Trojan cat, with a teeny kitten on board. I rescued both and kept them, my very first feline friends and the spark for a life-long love of cats. My take on cat training:
     "People may scoff at the very idea of being a cat behaviorist and trainer, but they underestimate cats These fascinating, intelligent beings can be compassionately motivated to learn and adopt new behaviors, and leave undesirable ones behind."

First & Second Carers
 My 25-years career as a a writer, editor and communications specialist took me from Cleveland to Rochester (NY), Chicago and Brooklyn, (NY), always with a rescue cat or two in tow. That career came to a screeching halt when  I moved back to Cleveland to care for my beloved mom (pictured above with Sophie, the Turkish Van cat).
     When she passed away, I was at a crossroads. With a bit of the small inheritance she left me, and the encouragement of friends and family, I took the plunge and enrolled in the Cat Trainer Program at Animal Behavior College. ​
 My goals as a cat trainer/behaviorist are:

• Using proven training techniques, prevent cats from losing their forever homes by helping them and their guardians carve a path to a stress-free and harmonious household.
• Continue to support shelter cats with donations of my time, goods and money - and by working with them, render them comfortable, secure, adoptable.
• Advocate for cats and kittens through community education and supporting legislation that highlights animal rights and well-being. 

 
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“I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.” – Jean Cocteau