Complaint Review: Terra Incognita - Seymour Missouri

I find it interesting that you say you have known Jacki for 12 months, yet only now have written to voice your opinion. I also find it interesting that you state you are in NYC, yet your post came from Arizona. You state you "Simply do not believe these accusation". Unfortunately, if YOU believe them or not, does not change the fact that the events mentioned, did in fact, take place. She (Jacki) took HALF of a little girls settlement for a therapy dog she would provide to the little girl. The dog was not crate trainde, basic obedience trained or any of the other things Jacki had promised. If you are a legitimate customer of Ms. Barbieri and have know her for only one year, you have not come to know the true person Jacki is. As a matter of information, Jacki has been expelled from the Lagotto Club of America. Perhaps you should ask her why.

Did you write this rebuttal Jacki?  Seriously, I don't know who you are, but if you are for real, it doesn't matter what your experience was, or how well you were treated. My experience was not the same. I thought Jacki was wonderful too, right up until she began lying to us, which is what made her actions so hurtful. It doesn't matter if you believe it of her. I'm glad she didn't hurt and disappoint your family the way she did ours. We only got the money refunded through lawyer intervention, and didn't have to surrender the dog, since she clearly told the lawyer we could keep her if we wanted. That dog was donated for a special needs child, returned from someone else. We paid for the training we didn't get, not the dog. My child attends school, rides horses, plays softball and attends after school activities. She goes to Sunday school. Everyone loves my daughter. She is not as Jacki would have you believe. It's never a good idea to vouch for someone's character, based on your limited experience with them. We were planning to litigate, which is not the the action of someone in the wrong. I would advise people to be very cautious in their dealings with her, based on what happened to us and others.

Over the past 12 months,  I have come to know Jacki and the Terra Incognita company quite well. I met Jacki initially over the phone as I was beginning to research the Lagotto breed.  I spoke to Jacki as well as 3 other U.S. based breeders and several owners.  I found Jacki to be incredibly knowledgeable and patient with all of my questions (think, the Inquisition). After a half dozen conversations with her, my family boarded an airplane from NYC to St. Louis, MO to make the 4 hour drive to her farm in Seymour to meet Jacki, her family, and her dogs.  

During this initial 3 day visit, we met numerous dogs of all ages, including a litter that had just been born.  We observed numerous training, grooming, and play sessions with several dogs of differing ages, including a dog that was being trained as a special needs dog.  We were absolutely floored (in the most positive way imaginable) by her training techniques and philosophies.  From that encounter, we chose to purchase a Lagotto from her.  We ultimately decided to get a puppy and asked Jacki to complete three levels of training for the puppy before taking possession.  

Approximately two months later, we reviewed temperment testing results from her most recent litter and with Jacki's guidance selected our puppy.  We regularly spoke by phone and Skype and continued to deepen our relationship with Jacki.   A month after that, my family took the trip from NYC back to Seymour to spend four days on the farm with Jacki, her family and to meet our puppy.

Jacki has gone above and beyond our expectations.  After the tiers of training were completed, Jacki boarded a flight to NYC with our puppy and spent three days with us helping to acclimate our new family member to an altogether new environment. Each and every time we have had questions, whether minor or major, Jacki has made herself available and devoted countless hours to guiding us.  The training was flawless and I have never encountered a more seamless transition.

While I wish I were able to respond directly to the factual accusations alleged in the complaint, I cannot.  However, I can certainly attest to the character of the individual being accused of dishonest behavior and state unequivocally that I SIMPLY DO NOT BELIEVE THESE ACCUSATIONS.  Everything stated in the complaint is completely out of character for Jacki and wholly inconsistent with (1) my family's individual experience with her; (2) references that we spoke to about Jacki prior to beginning our professional relationship with Terra Incognita; and (3) specific actions we have seen taken by Jacki with respect to contributing her time, her financial resources and her dogs to help less fortunate individuals.  I read this Ripoff Report and the one other post as I was conducting my due diligence on Jacki and Terra Incognita and have gotten quite comfortable that this is not representative of her business practices nor her character.  I would encourage any other interested parties to similarly diligence Jacki rather than accepting these two negative reports as gospel and expect that you too will come to dismiss these reports.

 We demanded a refund for the untrained dog and instructed Jacki Barbieri to deal directly with our attorney. On December 15th, she emailed the attorney, and was instructed how to return the money. It wasn't until May20th that she paid the attorney, and demanded we remove the BBB report in exchange. We made arrangements for our vet to hold the dog, until the check was received, and for them to pick the dog up there, after they found the dog to be in good health. It took FIVE months to get this resolved. It is untrue that we didn't want it returned to the trust account. That dog didn't work out because it wasn't trained. Jacki Barbieri was not honorable in her business dealings with us.

 Not all therapies work for all children. The daughter became violent with the parents over the dog. A refund in full was offered immediately upon return of the dog. Unfortunately the parents of the adopted child wanted a check written to them. But the funds needed to be returned to the child's trust fund. When they were told the money must go back to the trust fund that is where the fighting began. As soon as the dog was surrendered refund was given in full.