Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeline Quint.
Madeline, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
“Chase the light, whatever and wherever it may be for you. Chase it.” -Tyler Knott Gregson
I am from Texas, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and now California. I don’t consider myself from one particular state because each place that I have lived has shaped who I am as a person today. I grew up with a Mother, Father, two brothers, dogs, cats, and more. As a child, I grew up playing soccer, volleyball, spin and fly fished, ran cross country, hiked, walked dogs, and partook in my first theater production when living in Nebraska at the age of 10.
Growing up, I always knew two things, I loved animals, specifically dogs, and I loved to create stories and make people laugh. At the age of 10, I was cast as the lead role in a church play, and I knew from then on that I couldn’t stop acting. High school came around, and I was still playing soccer, running cross country, acting, and working as a manager at a Doggy Daycare. Although it was only my freshman year of high school, I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I didn’t know where my journey would lead me, but I knew where I needed to go next. I sat my parents down, and told them…”after high school, I am moving to California, going to an arts conservatory for acting and I am going to work with dogs.” Sounds crazy right? But I knew in my heart what I wanted and needed to do, work with dogs and cats. At the time, I didn’t know how I would do both, but that was my dream and I was going for it.
Now, 2017, I am in my senior year at California Institute of the Arts, where I will be receiving my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting with a minor in Social Science. I have my own dog business that entails running/walking, and training. But these 4 years have not been all sunshine and rainbows. Not only was I moving to a place I had only visited once before, but I was leaving my entire family behind. Everything has been riding on the line.
In the midst of studying and acting at Calarts, I started to visit local shelters every Sunday to check on the animals. I would spend two hours or more there, going from one kennel to another, getting to know all of the dogs and their personalities. If it was an aggressive dog, I would sit as close to its cage as I could and talk to him or her. Sometimes it would take a few Sundays for the dog to finally accept me, and other times it would only take a few hours. But no matter what, that “aggressive dog” would end up reaching its paw through the cage and placing it in the palm of my hand. After meeting each dog and getting to know them, I would walk through the shelters and get to know the visitors. My goal, was to get to know a person or family, their lifestyle, and what type of dog they envisioned having. I would then point them in the direction of the dog I thought would fit into their lives the best. That led me to foster dogs and help them eventually find homes.
How does this correlate or work alongside with acting? I fell in love with the art of acting for two reasons: the first reason is the story. Each person in this life, has a story, a dream, a tragedy, and a love. To be able to transform into that character or person, and see the world through their eyes, and then get the chance to be their voice and represent them, is indescribable. The other reason I love the art of acting, is being able to give the viewers a chance to laugh, cry, or feel whatever emotion they might need. So again, how does all of this correlate with dogs? Whether a human being or an animal, we all have emotions and we all react. Working with dogs allows me to study behavior in a whole new light. What does my tone of voice, movement, and eye’s say, and how does that affect them?
Four years ago, I moved to California to begin the next step of my life. When walking in Venice with a friend one day, he stopped to have me take a picture by a wall that said, “I believe California can save me.” It left me feeling inspired, and in hopes that my dreams could flourish here. Now, four years later, taking my parents on a tour of Venice, I stumbled upon that same wall. That same wall that states, “I believe California can save me” but I realized it hasn’t saved me. It’s pushed me…pushed me to work harder, dream bigger than ever before, open my eyes to new possibilities, and become a warrior. California didn’t save me, it only made me stronger. And now, I continue to fight for my dream every day. The next step in my journey is to start auditioning for film, television, and voice-over, continue to work with dogs, and see where life takes me.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has never been easy, as many things in life aren’t. Not only have I been growing as a woman and forming who I want to be in life, I have to balance school work, my dog business, and acting. The biggest challenge for me, is trying not to be overwhelmed. I am a go-getter, and never want to waste time. Therefore, I fit as many activities as I can into one day, and am a perfectionist. I expect every part of work I do to be the best it can be, that way it is the best for others.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about 4 Paws – what should we know?
4 Paws is a dog running/walking and training business. I provide all services and meet with each client beforehand to have a better understanding of what the owner needs, and what the dog needs. What set’s me apart from other companies is the fact that I focus on the owner and the dog separately, figure out what they need from each other, and where the communication is missing. I then become aware of the dog’s personality; what makes your dog anxious, overly-excited, calm, etc. Dogs are family, therefore we have to understand them and what they need as well, to make a happy household.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Determination. If I really want something, I will work or train as much as I have to, to achieve a goal.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: madelinequint6
- Facebook: Madeline Quint
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