About Your Trainer

We all answered the “what do you want to be when you grow up” question when we were in grade school. My answer was to be a veterinarian. Turns out, the part about cutting and sewing back together was just not in the cards for what my brain wanted to process without being scooped up off the floor. Despite that minor downfall, I still knew I wanted to be around dogs. Even when I was little, I'd go with my aunt who was a humane society officer for the SPCA, to volunteer taking care of all the animals and I loved it! 

By the time college came around there were many careers I had pondered perusing, teaching being one of them. Curveball struck and I decided to enlist as Active Duty for the US Air Force. Shortly after enlisting, I got the opportunity to coach a local high school girls volleyball team. It was one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done and had I not already enlisted, I would have loved to stay and continue to coach.  

During my enlistment I got my very first dog in 2014, a Vizsla named Ruger. Having grown up around dogs, I thought I had a pretty good idea on how to raise a dog, Ruger had other ideas! He did everything backwards to what I thought was going to happen and I was quickly humbled into realizing I needed help. I signed him up for our first class together and excitedly became addicted to wanting to learn more! Everything from how dogs learn, to their behaviors, how to read body language, I wanted to know it all! With every success we had, I wanted ten more! It was so satisfying to learn and accomplish things together. To gain more experience, I started volunteering for local rescues and fostered dogs to help them become adoptable.  

Upon my departure from the Air Force, I started working as a dog trainer for PetSmart. I had taken several classes, including out of state, and went through their certification process. I taught private lessons and group classes to many types of personalities amongst dogs and their owners. I also helped with the doggie day care and hotel section. 

Needing a break from working every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I decided to try working at a Veterinarian Clinic as a Client Service Representative. At my first clinic I worked beside the only certified Animal Behaviorist at the time in Anchorage. I was like a sponge, paying attention to everything I could and soaking it up. I also became my clinics only fear free representative which focused on dog behavior and the best practices for making patients feel confident and comfortable.  I stayed in vet med, learning a lot about animal behavior on top of basic health needs, for a few years until I had the opportunity to work as a trainer again. I taught classes, private lessons, ran day camps and other workshops. I also obtained my AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator certification along with AKC Trick Dog evaluator certification. Although I appreciated working there, I wanted to go one step further towards my dream of owning my own training business. 

My dogs and I have either competed and titled in or have experience in multiple dog sports to include Rally, Agility, NADAC, Conformation, NAVHDA, Hunt tests, trick dog, CGC, barn hunt, lure coursing, fast cat, scent work, SDA (competition obedience), and dock diving. 

Over the years I have had the opportunity to learn through volunteering, clients, classes, seminars, my personal dogs, friends and family and I have truly found my passion. I absolutely love being around dogs and helping owners form desired relationships with their dogs. My relationship with my dogs is the most important thing to me followed by a healthy and respectful working relationship. Learning for me never stops and I am always looking for ways to improve and continue growing. Being a Dog trainer allows me to combine two things I love, teaching and being around dogs! I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity to work with owners and their dogs to achieve their goals! 

Veteran and Woman Owned

Photography Business - Red Dog Snaps

CGC Evaluator

Trick Dog Evaluator