Gotham Paw is one person: me
I started Gotham Paw in 2023 because I kept watching city dogs with far more energy than a city day allows. A twenty-minute walk around the block on asphalt does not satisfy the mind or body of a working breed or high-drive young dog.
I run every part of the practice myself: the consultation, the morning pickup, the drive north, the mountain trail, the bath and rinse, and the evening drop-off. When you call or text, you reach me directly. There are no rotating staff, subcontracted walkers, or second drivers.
Christopher Mejo • Founder & Head Handler
Background & Philosophy
I have trained dogs for over eight years across New York. Much of that time has been spent as Executive Director of a regional service animal placement nonprofit, task-training mobility and psychiatric service dogs to navigate crowded subways, busy Midtown sidewalks, and quiet indoor environments with complete reliability.
I also breed Spanish Water Dogs under the name Qbits Spanish Water Dogs, a traditional European working water and herding breed. Working with high-drive dogs in wetlands, dense woods, and alpine terrain reinforced what canine biology actually needs: deep sensory engagement, physical running room, clean water, and clear, force-free communication.
My own working dogs accompany most hikes, providing natural social anchoring for new companions and helping young dogs learn trail pace and water confidence without tension.
Credentials
Every procedure, handling protocol, and safety boundary is informed by formal canine behavioral science and wilderness emergency standards.
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Approved Evaluator
Official American Kennel Club evaluator administering CGC, Urban CGC, and Community Canine tests for residential co-ops and trail fast-tracking.
Fear Free Certified Animal Care Professional
Force-free, positive reinforcement operant learning and anxiety-reduction handling. No prong, choke, or shock collars.
Canine Wilderness First Aid & Backcountry CPR
Comprehensive backcountry medical preparation, trauma stabilization, thermal regulation, and emergency resuscitation.
Service Animal Placement Nonprofit Founder & Executive Director
Over 8 years of clinical experience task-training and placing mobility and psychiatric service dogs across New York.
Spanish Water Dog Preservation & Breed Club Involvement
Hands-on working water breed preservation, temperament selection, and advanced canine drive channeling.
How I run things
Because I hike with at most four dogs at a time, I can oversee every movement, pause, water break, and interaction personally.
Four dogs at most
Every group hike is capped strictly at four dogs. Pack companions are personally matched by size, stamina, and play style during the initial consult.
Long lines first
New dogs hike on 30-foot biothane long lines until their recall is thoroughly proven around forest scents, water, and sudden wildlife.
First aid & satellite tracking
I carry a specialized canine trauma kit and a Garmin inReach satellite messenger on every trail. The nearest 24-hour emergency hospital is Kingston Animal Hospital, 12 to 15 minutes from our primary Woodstock and Overlook trailheads.
Weather boundaries
Hikes are rescheduled if there is active lightning, a heat index above 85°F, or a wind chill below 15°F. Client accounts receive an immediate 100% credit or refund for weather cancellations.
Ticks & wildlife protection
Veterinarian-approved tick preventative is mandatory. Every dog receives a hands-on tick check, undercarriage rinse, and towel dry before the ride home. On rocky ridges where timber rattlesnakes dwell, dogs stay leashed.
Meet Christopher in Person
Every new dog starts with a complimentary 30-minute consultation at your building or local park. Dogs with a verified AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate can skip the consult and book immediately.