Tom Barthel was born and raised in Greenville, MI, where he first began studying his craft in the 3^rd grade. A short story about the passing of the Midwestern seasons won him his first accolade as an “Outstanding Young Author” for the state of Michigan. It would be the beginning of a life-long obsession with the written word.

After working as a writer, editor, and photographer for his high school newspaper, Tom went on to earn a degree in Journalism from Eastern Michigan University, having contributed significantly to The Eastern Echo and EMU fine arts magazine, Cellar Roots.

Tom first began writing on the subject of pets and outdoor life in 1999, when he joined the staff of BowTie Press in Irvine, CA. Since that time, he has written more than 200 magazine articles for such titles as: Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, Natural Dog, Aquarium Fish, Bird Talk, Ferrets Magazine, Reptiles Magazine, Fresh Water and Marine Aquarium, Pet Product News and Water Garden News. He has written articles on topics as diverse as prevention of dehydration in reptiles to the therapeutic benefits of water gardens for the disabled. In 2006, Tom’s first co-authored book, “Garden Ponds Made Easy” (BowTie Press), was released.  

In 2006, Tom and his wife Rachel moved back home to Michigan. They soon settled into a home ripe for gardening with their rescued labradoodle, Dakota.

For the author “Dogscaping”, due for official release of February 2010, represents the culmination of the author’s sincere dedication to the issues of environmentalism and health and wellness for people and their pets.

A Michigan and California certified master gardener, Tom looks forward to educating the public about how to make backyard and garden environments non-toxic and therapeutic for people and their dogs.