Dog trainer arrested for animal cruelty lied about certifications, according to associations

PALM CITY, Fla. – WPTV learned Thursday that Nikki Camerlengo, the owner of Pawsitively Paradise dog training, boarding and grooming facility in Palm City, allegedly lied about certain certifications she listed on her website.

Camerlengo was arrested on Wednesday for aggravated animal cruelty following a series of mysterious dog deaths over several years.

Camerlengo’s website lists certifications from the International Association of Canine Professionals, the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers and Dog Trainers Association, and the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Program.

The website also advertised “professional training by a state-certified trainer with nearly 20 years of experience in the field.”

WPTV’s Kate Hussey contacted all three organizations, who responded by saying that the certifications were no longer valid or had never been valid.

Tracy Atkins of the IACP told Hussey that Camerlengo had never been certified by the IACP.

“Your claims regarding these statements are false,” Atkins Hussey said in an email. “Certified members (of the IACP) must adhere to a code of conduct and a code of ethics and must complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education every 24 months.”

Martin County Sheriff’s Office

The director of the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers and Dog Trainers Association, Chris Atlier, told Hussey that Camerlengo attended the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers in September and October 2015.

However, Atlier also said that the organization was notified last March of the numerous allegations against Camerlengo – including the eight citations it received for improper animal care – and immediately terminated Camerlengo’s membership in the National K-9 Dog Trainers Association.

“Ms. Camerlengo has been instructed to remove all references to the National K-9 Dog Trainers Association in connection with her professional profile and business,” Atlier said. “Since that initial notification, Ms. Camerlengo has failed to remove references to her membership. She was recently sent a cease and desist letter requiring her to remove mention of membership in the National K-9 Dog Trainers Association. The association will consider further legal action if she continues to fail to respond.”

Brandi Munden of the AKC told Hussey by phone that Camerlengo did not appear in the organization’s database, but she said staff was conducting an additional investigation to confirm whether she had ever received any training or certification from the organization.

Munden told Hussey that if Camerlengo was certified, the certification would be revoked.

Hussey asked Camerlengo about the allegations Wednesday night when she was released on bail from the St. Lucie County Jail. She refused to answer. But since we asked her the question, she has password-protected her website.

WATCH: WPTV interviews Martin County dog ​​trainer about animal neglect arrest

Dog trainer posts bail and is released from St. Lucie County Jail

WPTV took a screenshot of the website before Camerlengo took it down.