DERRICK ALAN HIGGINS
Founder, Owner & Operator of
Beach Dawg Care, LLC
Canine Professional, Dog Behaviorist, Dog Trainer
My Journey...
My husband and I lost our beloved dog "Tankie" of 11 years due to an enlarged heart in 2021. Tankie passed away in my arms. I was devastated & made a promise to our sweet boy Tankie right then to have a life change shift & new mission to helping as many animals as possible. Tankie was such an incredible, unique dog & is my inspiration for starting Beach Dawg Care. Beach Dawg Care is his legacy & that's him right there in my logo and his actual paw print on my website! "Beach Dawg" was his nickname.
Tankie would come with my husband & I everywhere across the U.S. including to my yoga classes I taught. He was a true Yogi Dog!
I have always felt a special connection with all animals from a very young age & have extensive experience in handling dogs of all breeds and of all temperaments. I am extremely passionate about what I do. Having had dogs of my own all my life helps me understand the worries that owners have leaving their pets in someone else’s care.
I was born in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina & am a graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina which is in the Blue Ridge & Appalachian Mountains earning a Bachelor's Degree in Communications: Electronic Media/Broadcasting Minors in Psychology & Sociology. (Dogs have their Psychology and their way of communicating with us!)
I owe my unconditional love to animals to my Mom. She allowed me to grow up with animals my whole life & working with them is second nature. I always had dogs at my home, but that was never the only animal I had. I had a chameleon, fish, a turtle, birds, cats, deer, cows, horses, goats and basically anything my Mom would allow me to bring in our home would became our pet. My passion for working with animals was always there & it's because of my Mom, Judy Lane. She had been fighting severe Rheumatoid Arthritis all of her life and passed away in 2013. She also loved Tankie very much and would even call to talk to him on the phone.
I will forever continue on with her love for animals through my own.
This pic is of me at a very young age with my Mom and my very first dog. His name was "Pups".
I migrated to South Florida 16 years ago because of my love for sun, sand, surf & beautiful sunsets! I am an active part of the community & know this Southernmost Region of the Sunshine State very well. I married my Husband in Key West on a Sunset Sail & we have been together for 14 years. We spend our free time Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Kayaking, Surfing & Hiking across the U.S. and at our mountain home (SugarMountainVilla.com) located on top of Sugar Mountain, N.C. near the summit right beside the Highest Ski Trail of the Sugar Mountain Ski Resort.
Since 2013 I have been a Licensed Realtor in Miami and I am currently with London Foster Realty & a member of The MIAMI Association of Realtors & the National Association of REALTORS®. I am very passionate & love going the extra mile in helping people. This gives me a huge edge of knowing what buildings allow what dogs & the rules & regulations pertaining to dogs of each building in the area for owners & renters.
I am experienced with all types, breeds and sizes of dogs including Bully Breeds and I absolutely love them all. I am able manage large, strong & hyper dogs.
I am Licensed, Fully Bonded, Insured, Multi-Certified & a Professional through:
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My proof of a clear Federal, Multi-State & County Criminal History/Background Check Screening Report for myself has been completed & provided by ACUTRAQ.
Hug your dogs every single day!
I care for & love all Animals of all kinds.
Your Dog will be part of my Family.
Here I am teaching one of my yoga classes in Miami Beach.
I am also a Meditation Teacher & a Registered and Certified Yoga Instructor with Yoga Alliance leading Power Yoga, Vinyasa, Yin Yoga & Vedic Thai Yoga Bodywork which allows me to bring Mindfulness-Inspired Skills to all of my Dog Care Services.
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Here is a recent article written about Tankie & I in the Winter issue of Pet Sitters International's "Pet Sitter World" Magazine in which they interviewed me & I shared my story about Tankie & how he is my inspiration for starting "Beach Dawg Care":
Here is an article from April 6, 1990 I wrote my Freshman year of College for the College Newspaper. My Professor asked me to write an article about my fellow colleagues bringing their pets to class for National Pet Day, however I chose to go to an Animal Shelter instead. I have always had my devotion and compassion for Animal rights.
Here is the issue of The Cougar Cry : The Voice of Wilkes Community College in which I interviewed the Control Officers and Volunteers at the Wilkes County Dog Shelter:
