Obituary: Gina M. (Delmonico) Hoag, 68; Formerly Of Cheshire

MERIDEN, CT — (From Wallingford Funeral Home): In the early morning hours of February 27, 2024, Gina M. Hoag, a lady of magnificence, presence, elegance, style, and dignity died in her home in Meriden at the age of 68.

Beautiful beyond words, Gina made heads turn and tilt in immediate adoration. Purported to have the “perfect walk,” her gait was once noted by Wayne Newton as “a symphony without music.” Gina’s conversational charm, made her especially attractive to clients and all those who had the privilege to know her, if only for a mere few minutes.

Originally from Cheshire and a graduate of Cheshire High School, Gina’s career included multiple layers of dedicated service during her 33 years with the State of Connecticut with long stints with the Department of Mental Health, Department of Labor, Department of Motor Vehicles and the 19 devoted years she spent with the State Department of Education, where she developed so many cherished friendships.

A gifted teacher, Gina was able to creatively present information to teachers, students, and dog-owners alike and was always there to reinforce the principles that she believed were fundamental to sustained learning.

Despite her full-time employment, Gina was relentless in her pursuit of her one true passion, the love, care, and training of dogs. A nationally recognized professional dog trainer, CPDT-KA, she became renown for her development of the “positive energy training theory.”

An experienced teacher, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and a committed leader in the world of animal advocacy, her personal mission was to help clients and their dogs build successful and positive relationships.

Gina’s journey down this path began almost 30 years ago when she adopted a 3-month-old puppy that exhibited extreme signs of fear reactivity. She sought help through countless trainers and breeders and was told by all to cut her losses and have the puppy destroyed. Refusing to give up on her puppy, she began researching his behaviors and learned how to make his world a less scary place by developing a relationship with him through positive behavior methods. It took time, but he lived happily for over 16 years.

Gina always owned dogs. Of those many beautiful K-9’s she called her “children,” maybe her most enduring companion is the incredible “Gaa-Goo” who shared many training adventures with Gina, including the award-winning, “Read with Rover” program as they performed at schools and libraries all over New England.

Always, elegantly attired whether it was in her professional life or just walking her own dogs, her self-mandated 1.5 miles daily per dog, Gina’s wardrobe was expansive with a breath-taking array of formal wear.

Gina lived in Meriden, Connecticut with her husband of many years, Dr. Stephen W. Hoag, their two beautiful Shetland Sheep dogs, Ga-Goo, and Michaleen and the newest addition to the family, the “Blue-eyed bombshell,” a mini-Aussie, Brooklyn. She and Gaa-Goo have been a registered therapy team for more than seven years. Her commitment to Animal Assisted Intervention prompted her to become a licensed instructor for Pet Partners. Additionally, Gina and Gaa-Goo especially enjoyed their weekly visits with the children at the American School for the Deaf. Gina continued to train for over a year despite the debilitating effects of cancer.

The world has known many beautiful people, but Gina Hoag was the most pure and beautiful woman who has ever graced the earth and God’s children.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be made either of her favorite animal charitable organizations: Pet Partners (www.petpartners.org) or Our Companions (www.ourcompanions.org).

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.