Gene Ohman-Leone KPA-CTP
Fear free Professional
Animal Connections
The youngster Gene grew up climbing trees in northeastern Ohio. He loved exploring the high branches in order to get closer to the birds. He and his sister took responsibility for a domestic flock of mallard ducks when he reached high school age. They helped the mallards trust humans again and even taught some of them tricks and games.
Gene’s love of animals continued as he ventured out on his own. He raised and trained his first horse Spirit from a foal. Gene encountered many challenges with Spirit. Spirit’s mother was blind and not able to provide the important early mare/foal interactions and equine socialization Spirit needed. Gene tried many methods in an attempt to control Spirit’s difficult and even dangerous behaviors. It wasn’t until he met and was influenced by Kinna that he committed to a fully positive approach.
Gene has never turned back - and he is a great asset to Animal Connection Training because of these earlier experiences. He knows what it’s like to be tempted to use negative methods and has understanding for clients who have gone down a similar path. His goal is to help others discover the joys of relating to animals in a fully positive way.
Gene with his first rescue horse, Spirit.
During travels in Provence, France, Gene befriends a local shop Golden.
Gene brings other talents (besides training) to Animal Connection Training & Consulting. He’s a professional hoof trimmer – always learning more from the work and philosophies of Pete Ramey. In 2015, he and Kinna were honored to host Pete Ramey for an intense day of hoof education at their farm in Vermont.
Gene has studied natural horse nutrition with veterinarian Eleanor Kellon. He’s also focused on equine bodywork to help horses release tension. He’s especially interested in using his skills to help rescue horses release tension from their previous lives. Gene completed the equine bodywork Masterson Method Weekend Seminar with instructor Lorre Mueller in June 2015.
In 2016, Gene completed his professional dog training certification program with Karen Pryor Academy. He has completed numerous other dog training courses including becoming certified in Fear Free in 2020.
Gene graduated from Youngstown State University in Ohio with a BA in combined sciences.
Gene lives in the Adirondacks of northern New York with his wife Kinna, two border collies, and two horses.
One of Gene’s passions is sailing with Britta.
