Who are we?

We are a rescue located near Rochester, MN aiming to create a community that recognizes and prioritizes each dog’s individual needs and well-being through all stages of their life. Our goal is to reduce the number of animals being re-homed, surrendered to shelters, or living in unfair environments.

Our Goals:

  • Get to know each dog that enters our care. Each dog that enters into our program will have a minimum of three weeks to decompress, learn age specifics manners and skills, and give staff and volunteers the time needed to make thorough assessments on their behavior needs and personalities. This allows us to match them with their perfect family.
  • Educate Owners. Live, pre-adoption counseling and guidance on how to be successful week by week as their new dog adjusts to its new family and home.
  • Training: Free online training course to cover foundational behaviors as well as discounted classes and LIFE program at The Family Fido.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to make rescuing dogs forever successful for both puppies and humans; through our unique training, socialization, and education process.

Meet the Founders:

Jessica Smidt CVT, KPA-CTP
Co-Founder & Trainer

Jessica is the owner of The Family Fido dog training. Jess’s dream since a little girl was to open a rescue in the country where she trained and socialized the dogs, then paired them with their perfect family. She certainly took the long way to get here, but it’s finally happening. Her experience as a Certified Vet Tech, Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, business owner and coordinator of the Animal Assisted Therapy program at Mayo Clinic has helped her hone in on the important parts of rescue.

Jessica with her rescue, Bruno.
Nicole with her rescue, Thor.

Nicole Stundzia FDM
Co-Founder & Trainer

Nicole has been heavily involved in the rescue world for over 15 years and her goal has always been to rescue as many dogs as possible regardless of their situation, breed or background! To date, she has helped well over a thousand dogs make it into various rescues and has had over 45 foster dogs (& puppies). In January 2023, she started working with Jessica and by May, they realized they share the same passion for saving dogs and the idea of a rescue was formed.