About
Michele of Forest Lakes Standard Poodles
Preservationist. Breeder. Handler. Evaluator. Judge. Mentor.
Michele is the driving force behind Forest Lakes — a purpose-built breeding program focused on producing healthy, well-structured Standard Poodles with excellent temperament. With multiple champions across AKC and UKC, therapy and service dogs, and a commitment to ethical breeding practices, she blends science, heart, and legacy. Whether mentoring juniors and new breeders, evaluating CGC or temperament, or leading 4H, Michele lives to elevate the breed — one thoughtful generation at a time.
A Passionate Journey with Poodles and Family
After spending years in the corporate world, traveling extensively, I made a life-changing decision when my children were in high school. I wanted to be more present for my family, and a career opportunity in Michigan aligned perfectly with a time when my mom needed extra care after multiple knee surgeries. Together, as a family, we decided to move back to Michigan, where I accepted the position that allowed me to balance work and family life.
Today, I split my work between onsite and home, typically leaving for only 2–3 hours daily. My dedication to my Standard Poodles is a big part of who I am. When puppies are born, I stay home for their first week, sleeping in the same room to ensure they have the best start.
Poodles’ grooming requirements are substantial, and as a full-time employee, mother, and dog fancier, I don’t have the time for the intensive hair maintenance AKC conformation demands. Thankfully, I’ve partnered with an exceptional handler who showcases my dogs beautifully. While I hope to delve deeper into AKC shows when I retire, I currently find joy in competing in UKC conformation and AKC sports.
For me, life is a fulfilling balance of family, work, and nurturing a passion for breeding and raising exceptional Standard Poodles.
Since 2018, I have been a proud member of the AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. program, which promotes responsible breeding through health testing, education, accountability, and adherence to the AKC breed standard. In September 2022, I achieved the prestigious title of AKC Breeder of Merit, recognizing my dedication to breeding dogs with excellent health, temperament, and conformation.
In addition to breeding, I am certified in various evaluation and judging roles:
- AKC Fetch Judge (since January 2024): Evaluates and oversees fetch-based competitions, assessing dogs’ skills, speed, and enthusiasm in retrieving objects.
- AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator (since February 2023): Certifies dogs for CGC, CGCA (Advanced), CGCU (Urban), Trick Dog titles, Virtual Home Manners, and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy programs, which test and reward well-behaved dogs and responsible ownership.
- AKC Temperament Test Evaluator (ATT, since February 2023): Assesses dogs’ reactions to various stimuli, ensuring stable and reliable temperaments suitable for companions or working roles.
- UKC Socialized Pet Obedience Test (SPOT) Evaluator (since 2022): Judges basic obedience and socialization in real-world settings, promoting well-mannered dogs.
- Michigan 4H Judge (since 2024): Provides expertise in evaluating youth handling, training, and the presentation of dogs in 4H competitions.
- Michigan Gold Star 4H Leader (since 2022): Focuses on building relationships between 4H Youth and their canine companions.
Exciting news for all my puppy buyers! Every testing service I can provide is absolutely free for you! Some tests can be done virtually from the comfort of your home, while others are a fun, in-person experience.