Introducing our latest issue's cover star, the remarkable Chrissy Joy! As an acclaimed dog trick champion and trainer of canine actors, Chrissy's expertise and talent have earned her a well-deserved spotlight in our magazine.
Get ready to delve into her incredible journey, as she shares her secrets to success and shaping the lives of our furry friends, with the wonderful side effect of improving our own wellbeing!
Hi Chrissy, you’ve had quite the career so far, and all fairly centered around Dogs. But what do YOU get out of it? Apart from a living, of course!
If you had asked me ten years ago if I thought I would have four dogs and a life centered around them, I would have never believed it. My original profession was focused on horses and being an equestrian – riding, training, and breathing horses.
It wasn’t until many failures and closed doors, which led to anxiety and depression, that I made a life change. I quit my prestigious career and decided with my husband to travel to Pennsylvania and rescue a dog – a dog we named Beasley.
It was at that moment everything in my life and career changed. I don’t think we always know how a dog can change our lives. Sure, we get the laughs, some new stressors, and unconditional love.
However, there is something deeper and more profound that comes from sharing your life with a dog. My childhood was truly a great childhood. My parents supported me and encouraged me in all ways and interests.
If you heard of my full childhood story, you would never assume that I could be a candidate for anxiety and depression. However, anxiety doesn’t pick certain people. There is no single equation that speaks for all.
I had my first panic attack at 9 years old. This led to debilitating fears that kept me from wanting to leave my home – pacing the floor at the thought of going out to dinner. Within my home, I found peace and happiness in bonding with my family dog, a beagle, named Angie.
It was in these moments of self-exploration of playing, training, and trick training that I felt that all my worries and concerns went away. They were just… gone.
I felt I could be myself, completely and happily lost in playing with my dog, without the crippling nervousness and worries. I had never been to a training facility or read a book on trick training.
Much of my time was spent through trial and error – even building homemade jumps and obstacles to mimic the ever-popular sport of agility. A few years later I was brave enough to try riding a horse and found the same mental space of peacefulness.
This led to finding solace at local barn–riding, and training into my college years to achieve a Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies from Delaware Valley University.
Fast forward to a life of four dogs, a husband, and a 6-year-old daughter, I have made a career out of the very animals that helped me escape the confines of anxiety and depression. They still help me today to manage and mitigate panic attacks as an adult.
With this revelation of how they’ve changed my life, I have a mission to spread joy and share with others my journey. My hope would be that I could relate to someone, that they would not feel alone, and be inspired to follow their own passion that heals their heart and soul.
My dogs are collectively called The Joy Crew and we use some of our time to do live performances to entertain and inspire crowds across the United States.
In one notable performance at the 2018 National Stunt Dog Championship, my performance was based on anti-bullying and self-esteem. I performed this with Beasley and brought a truly inspiring performance to light which landed us the win for the championship.
Today I try to bring those same values and lessons to people – both kids and adults – in all aspects of our work including TV/film, appearances, demonstrations, live shows, fundraisers, and social media.
What’s the biggest misconception that people have around dogs, both as pets and as workers?
The idea of owning a dog can be full of bliss and adventures. I think that to some the idea of owning a dog can seem like an exciting commitment before fully comprehending the laundry list of responsibilities that come with dog ownership.
Owning a dog is much more than a companion. Selecting the right dog for your lifestyle and family is a crucial aspect of the process. Many owners spend hours and money investing in training and education, activities, and enrichment to have a well-mannered dog.
With that said, many who take on these responsibilities in dog ownership will discover a more enriched life with their dog. In the training aspect, there are endless ways to further your bond with your dog through positive reinforcement-based sports, classes, and activities.
Some of my favorite activities with my dogs include trick training which offers a wide variety of skills and challenges both mentally and physically. Other sports that we enjoy are agility, dock diving, and competitive disc.
Another misconception I feel that many dog owners feel is that they aren’t doing enough for their dogs.
I believe we get backed into our “comparison corner” where we simply end up comparing ourselves to the people around us, perhaps feeling that we are inadequate to fulfill our dog’s needs.
While we should always try to do the best we can with our responsibilities as dog owners, it does not mean they have to be the next champion athlete or perfect dog in a busy environment.
Every dog is different and has different needs. Many activities and fulfilling brain games can be done right from home! Incorporating puzzle toys, trick training, scent work, and other short sessions of fun can be extremely fulfilling between your daily walks and adventures.
If there was one thing I would recommend to most dog owners, it would be this: Try new things with your dog. Join a new class or local group activity.
Sign up for scent work, barn hunt, treiibball, and discover unique adventures for you and your dog. You may be shocked at what sticks for you both and opens the door to a world of fun. Remember, it doesn’t always have to be a big group setting.
Not all dogs will be good candidates for busy social environments. There are still many opportunities to learn games, do-it-yourself puzzles toys, and classes online.
What unique challenges come specifically from working with dog actors?
When you watch a movie or show featuring a dog or any animal, what you do not see are the hours and hard work that have prepared that animal for the set.
When preparing your dog for set work, there are many important elements to ensuring that he or she is confident and skilled.
Just as you wouldn’t want to ski down a slope before attempting the bunny hills, an unprepared dog could be detrimental to the production, the reputation of the handler, and a possibly negative experience for the mental state of the animal.
This is where socialization and exposure play an important role in the career of an animal actor. Dogs need to work and feel confident around a wide variety of set equipment and strangers.
Each project has its own unique hurdles and it’s the responsibility of the trainer to prepare and do all necessary preparations before a shoot. One thing to remember is that not all dogs are cut out to be working animal actors – and that’s okay!
Working on set should be a positive experience for your dog that brings out the best in them, their training, and personality. As a trainer of my dogs for TV/film and entertainment, there are always new challenges and creative ways to complete a scene.
The problem-solving aspect of working is one of my favorite wheelhouses of the animal actor world. Thinking outside the box can become the name of the game!
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One of my favorite experiences on set was a tight scene where Beasley (remember that rescue from Pennsylvania) had to interact with a computer on set.
Thankfully we love our trick training! We sat down in this tight space and had to create a decent platform for him to sit on – considering his size and creating a grip so he would be secure and not slip. Beasley sat on the platform and placed both paws on the keyboard.
With a “dig” command, Beasley would lightly move his paws which truly mimicked typing. The final part was to grab a USB from the modem and use a computer mouse! This is one of my favorite scenes that made it into the kids' movie, Agent Toby Barks.
Another important factor that can also be a challenge is ensuring the safety of your dog on set. Many important factors include the weather, surfaces, props, and the actions of the scene itself.
Some experiences I have had on set in which we had to change or cancel the scene’s plan included heat and hot pavement, potentially hazardous ground including sharp debris, and explosions.
Thankfully most animal actors have an animal agent and humane rep to help mitigate these scenes and expectations. Many productions want what is best for the animal therefore it is truly a team effort to ensure that the scene is safe and can run smoothly for both the dog and the actor.
Schedule and remaining flexible is the name of the game in the entertainment industry. Whether it is set to work or live shows, you always need to be ready for a change-up or last-minute information.
For set work, this can include locations, call times (when you are expected to arrive on set), and the potential for changing shoot dates and actions. If you have a full-time job, working on set can be a difficult demand.
Depending on where you live, you may travel hours and spend many a hotel night (or sleep in the van as I have) in order to get on set in good timing to allow your dog to settle and decompress before work.
Many thanks, Chrissy! Any final thoughts to leave with our readers?
Remember, we are all out there doing the best we can with our dogs. So, take a deep breath and enjoy the accomplishments and the smaller moments.
Make memories. If you dream a goal, make it bigger than life. Let nothing stop you. As I always say, “Take chances, seize opportunities.”
(Phone) 732.567.5844
(Facebook) @thejoycrewofficial @thechrissyjoy
(Instagram) @thejoycrew @thechrissyjoy
(TikTok) @thejoycrew
(Website) www.chrissyjoy.com
Photo credits:
Michael Cole Imagery
Michelle Dawkins & Island Paws Photography
