|
|
My passion for dogs has always been clear — from rescuing a tiny, underweight puppy during a mission trip to South Dakota in 4th grade, to helping a neighbor whelp Labrador puppies when I was in junior high. It’s no surprise that I’ve dedicated my career to training dogs and helping their owners.
I have been training dogs for nearly 20 years. I graduated from Delaware Valley University with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Behavior, Training & Enrichment, with a concentration in canine behavior. Growing up, we always had a house full of animals, thanks to my mom’s willingness to rescue and my brothers’ constant requests for “just one more” (luckily, no snakes!).
In high school, we rescued Piper, a one-year-old Border Collie/Lab mix with no training or socialization who was quite a handful. I took it upon myself to train her — and that’s when I found my true calling. Through hard work, she became not only a well-behaved companion but also my partner as a certified therapy dog. Together, we visited nursing homes, schools, and libraries. Without Piper, I can honestly say I wouldn’t be a dog trainer today.
After graduating from college, I entered the pet dog training world but knew I ultimately wanted to work with service dogs. I joined a non-profit service dog organization, where I managed the puppy-raising program and spent seven years gaining invaluable experience. This role allowed me to work closely with both dogs and the volunteers raising them, building a strong foundation in training and program development.
Wanting to expand my experience, I later moved to Long Island to work as an instructor training service dogs for veterans and first responders. This role provided incredible opportunities to not only train highly skilled dogs but also to work directly with the individuals who relied on them.
In 2021, family brought me back to Pennsylvania, where I shifted my focus back toward pet dog training while continuing to incorporate my service dog background. While working at a local boarding and training facility, I expanded my knowledge of various tools and methods and helped develop a service dog program. More recently, transitioning to offering board and train programs from my home has been a rewarding experience for both my clients and my family — two- and four-legged alike.
When I’m not training, you’ll most likely find me at home with my family and dogs. My husband and I are homebodies who enjoy spending time outside, hosting friends for fires, and letting the kids and dogs play together. My Black Lab, Jet, and my husband’s Yellow Lab, George — who is also his service dog — are always ready to help welcome and work with your dogs.
I have been training dogs for nearly 20 years. I graduated from Delaware Valley University with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Behavior, Training & Enrichment, with a concentration in canine behavior. Growing up, we always had a house full of animals, thanks to my mom’s willingness to rescue and my brothers’ constant requests for “just one more” (luckily, no snakes!).
In high school, we rescued Piper, a one-year-old Border Collie/Lab mix with no training or socialization who was quite a handful. I took it upon myself to train her — and that’s when I found my true calling. Through hard work, she became not only a well-behaved companion but also my partner as a certified therapy dog. Together, we visited nursing homes, schools, and libraries. Without Piper, I can honestly say I wouldn’t be a dog trainer today.
After graduating from college, I entered the pet dog training world but knew I ultimately wanted to work with service dogs. I joined a non-profit service dog organization, where I managed the puppy-raising program and spent seven years gaining invaluable experience. This role allowed me to work closely with both dogs and the volunteers raising them, building a strong foundation in training and program development.
Wanting to expand my experience, I later moved to Long Island to work as an instructor training service dogs for veterans and first responders. This role provided incredible opportunities to not only train highly skilled dogs but also to work directly with the individuals who relied on them.
In 2021, family brought me back to Pennsylvania, where I shifted my focus back toward pet dog training while continuing to incorporate my service dog background. While working at a local boarding and training facility, I expanded my knowledge of various tools and methods and helped develop a service dog program. More recently, transitioning to offering board and train programs from my home has been a rewarding experience for both my clients and my family — two- and four-legged alike.
When I’m not training, you’ll most likely find me at home with my family and dogs. My husband and I are homebodies who enjoy spending time outside, hosting friends for fires, and letting the kids and dogs play together. My Black Lab, Jet, and my husband’s Yellow Lab, George — who is also his service dog — are always ready to help welcome and work with your dogs.
