Was there a particular dog/animal in your life that was your most important teacher?

My late dog, Auggie, and my late cat, Charm, were my greatest teachers.

Auggie, my first dog of my own, struggled with reactivity toward other dogs and with guarding behaviors. By learning how to meet his needs, reduce stress, and teach specific skills, we made tremendous progress—he learned to coexist peacefully with my cats, enjoy friendships with some dogs, and be an excellent snuggler. 

Charm, my big tabby cat, was a joy to train—so incredibly friendly, and also deeply anxious. He taught me to adjust my expectations, seek help, and explore how medical issues and pain affect behavior. Living with him deepened my understanding of intercat aggression, separation-related distress, and general anxiety. I also learned to get creative with household set-up, medication administration, and balancing everyone’s needs. 

Together, these experiences gave me profound empathy for people living with complex animals. I understand the emotional toll, and I’m deeply passionate about promoting welfare and quality of life for every member of the household.

What is your proudest training moment?

I’m most proud when I see my clients succeed—when things “click,” and I see excitement in both the pets and the humans.

One recent favorite hands-on moment was with Mochi, a small, adorable Chihuahua, learning to feel safe meeting new people and during vet care. Through cooperative care practice, happy visits, and thoughtful pain management, she recently had her blood drawn while eating treats and performing her consent behaviors. Afterwards, she happily did her hand target with me and the tech. She’s made more new friends in the last few months than in the previous few years, and watching her blossom has been such a joy.

What is the most important piece of advice you can give to a new trainer?

Lead with compassion and curiosity—for your learners, your clients, and yourself.

What do you do to continue your training education?

I’m part of Pet Harmony’s Professional PetPro Mentorship, which has deepened my understanding of both animal and human behavior. Their focus on professional well-being has also helped me recover from shelter burnout and taught me how to build a business that is sustainable for me.

I regularly attend conferences like the IAABC Foundation and Clinical Animal Behavior Conference, as well as KPA events. I also deeply value my local community and collaborate often with veterinarians and other trainers. A veterinarian and I usually set aside days to teach each other about our respective areas of expertise—it’s a fun day of shared nerdery.

Who has been your inspiration in the animal training community?

The entire Pet Harmony team has been incredibly inspiring. Their empathy for both humans and animals, and their commitment to meeting the needs of everyone involved, have helped me feel truly seen in how I practice. Other trainers I admire include Monique Feyrecilde, Jessica Benoit, Kiki Yablon, and Gabrielle Johnson.

What is your favorite activity or sport that you do with dog(s)?

Right now, I don’t have a dog of my own because my cat, Sushi, is much happier as a solo pet. Even so, I still get to work with plenty of dogs. My favorite thing to do is nosework and sniffing. Watching dogs explore the world through their noses—simultaneously focused and relaxed—is endlessly delightful. They often remind me to take a breath and enjoy the moment.

Do you have a memorable or touching training story you’d like to share?

One of my most memorable experiences was working with the bison herd at Wolf Park under the guidance of Khaz Brooks. There, I learned about bison body language, enrichment, and cooperative care through protected contact. We worked on various target behaviors, injection preparation, and fly protection. I also helped set up enrichment in their environment and monitored overall health. This was before getting my KPA certification and marked the beginning of seeing just how impactful training can be—and that it can be so much more than teaching fun tricks.