“Work with love” With therapy dog trainer Guillermo (Memo) Roa
Work with Love. I feel happy being active and productive, no matters what kind of job. I started cleaning dishes, then I was the butcher manager and now I have my own business. Work dignifies man.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Guillermo (Memo) Roa, a certified therapy dog trainer who has trained a chocolate lab named Molly to respond to direction in both English and Spanish. Together, the bilingual team provides free animal therapy services to homeless children in New York City shelters and to adults who have special needs. The certified therapy team is currently accepting corporate sponsors so they can visit more people in need. Roa holds many high-level dog training credentials including an American Kennel Club (AKC) Tester Certification and an Animal Behavior College (ABC) Trainer Certification. He owns GR Pet Services on Long Island, New York where he provides training for dogs (and their owners).
Thank you so much for joining us Guillermo! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I was born in Bogota, Colombia and raised in a beautiful close family. When I was little, I spent most of my free time surrounded by nature and animals where I developed my love for all kind of animals, especially dogs.
My life growing up was very pleasant. I went to high school and college, got married and had two sons. I had a family business, a house and a lot of friends and family. I was blessed.
Was there a particular trigger point that made you emigrate to the US? Can you tell the story?
Everything was great in my life until the drug dealers and illegal groups started to increase their power. They corrupted part of the government. Bombs, kidnappings, and threats started to be part of daily life in my neighborhood. Most of the kids who attended school with my sons had private body guards with armored cars. The economy collapsed forcing difficult times for my business. I started to worry about my family’s safety and our future. So, I decided to start a new life in the United States.
Can you tell us the story of how you came to the USA? What was that experience like?
I did not have a problem with the visa because I visited the US a few times before. I moved to this country knowing that I would have to start from zero. I had no knowledge of the English language and survived with little money for few months.
I came with the idea to work hard to provide a better future to my family. I started cleaning offices at the beginning and then washed dishes in a deli. Even though I did not know how to speak English, I was willing to learn and try to be understood. It was not easy. A lot of times I felt rejected but little by little I started to improve and that opened new opportunities for a better position at the deli. I was working 70 hours a week.
Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped make the move more manageable? Can you share the story?
First, I want to thank my wife who was the person who has believed in me and supported me. She was the one who encouraged me to study to be a dog trainer and do what I had always dreamed of; work with animals.
My two sons, Juan Guillermo and Nicolas, are my inspiration and my strength. My parents who raised me with values such as respect, and honesty. I am grateful for my family in Colombia who supported my decision to come to this country, my family in the US, especially my uncle Alvaro (RIP), who helped me become stable in this country, Pat Iavarone who trusted in me and helped me to become legal in US and of course June Bleich, Molly’s mom and my partner in providing therapy dog services.
So how are things going today
Everything is going well. I am fulfilling my dream. I started my own business as a dog trainer and soon I will be able to make a living completely from my passion. I love helping families understand their canine friends and bringing happiness to people in need with the therapy dog visits. My sons went to college and now are working. My wife is always by my side helping me with the administrative part of the business.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world
I use my platform to reach people in need. As a certified therapy dog trainer, I can be a part of a team who brings smiles to the less fortunate. Being a dog trainer allows me to continuously help my community of dog lovers. After a long journey to become a legal resident, I use my life experience to help people who are in the position I once was. I try to provide the best guidance for others to achieve the American dream.
You have first hand experience with the USA immigration system. If you had the power, which three things would you change to improve the system
The process to be legalized in this country was very stressful. It was especially hard on my oldest son who came to the US with us when he was just 14.
It was a long and difficult journey, but my family members are all here legally now. We work hard and we give back to the community but the process to get to this point was cumbersome.
If I could improve three things:
I would educate every immigrant and make it a requirement for all to learn the language, the civil laws, and how to be a good citizen.
I would improve the Dream Act.
I would make the rules and process to legally obtain citizenship more clear.
Can you share 5 keys to achieving the American dream that others can learn from you. Please share a story or example of each one
1). Respect the Rules
I like proverbs, and I like this one: When in Rome, do as the Romans do. As soon I came to this country, I looked for legal advice, asked how to be a good citizen. I started paying taxes, worked and followed the rules.
2). Stay Positive
That’s what I did when I had to leave my first job and when my case of legal papers was in danger. “When one door closes another opens.”
3). Work with Love
I feel happy being active and productive, no matters what kind of job. I started cleaning dishes, then I was the butcher manager and now I have my own business. Work dignifies man.
4). Be Grateful and Loyal
When I work, I take care of the interests of the company as if they were mine, with my therapy visits I give my best, the same when I train a dog, I make sure they really learn.
5). Always Do More
Like in my first job at the deli, I offered my help to the butcher department after my job was done. They taught me how to do it. As a result, after a couple years, I became the manager of the butcher department. Also, I worked part time with a dog trainer company, after I have finished my day working at the deli and now, I have my own dog trainer business
We know that US needs improvement. But what are three things that make you optimistic about the US’s future.
My family and I are very optimistic about the opportunities we now have in this country. We are thankful to be living and working during a positive time for the economy. Coming from a much smaller country with less opportunities, we have a positive outlook about the United States. We hope that there will be better times for everyone. Looking ahead, we are optimistic for the unity of countries and a better immigration system.
Some of the biggest names in business, VC funding Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world or in the U whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with and why?
Cesar Millan because he is someone who I can relate to. He was a Mexican immigrant who moved to the United States speaking no English with only $100. After persistence and a long journey, Cesar built a name for himself. He became very successful and is known globally as ‘the dog whisperer’. Cesar is an inspiration as he started from zero and helped a lot of people with his love for dogs.
Thank you for all of these great insights!
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About the author:
Chaya Weiner is the Director of branding and photography at Authority Magazine’s Thought Leader Incubator. TLI is a thought leadership program that helps leaders establish a brand as a trusted authority in their field. Please click HERE to learn more about Thought Leader Incubator.
