Outside of dog training/ dog sports, do you have any hobbies? 

I enjoy all kinds of things—traveling with my husband, sister, and friends; adventuring in the outdoors; reading on the couch; exploring new foods; and spending time laughing with my family.

Are there any species that you would love to work with?

I grew up riding horses and would love the chance to work with them again someday. I'm also completely in love with the idea of working with non-domesticated animals in any setting!

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

Skiing with my dog has been the most incredible opportunity of my life. We've built such a fun and special relationship while cruising down the mountain together. She’s all smiles, biting at the snow and splooting on her tummy off to the side—it’s the best part of my day!

Who has been your inspiration in the animal training community?

My mentor and friend, Sara Cohen, has been my biggest inspiration for diving deeper into animal training and behavior. From the moment I met her, I knew I wanted to see where this path could lead and learn everything I could from her!

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

My current dog, Kio, is the reason I decided to become a professional trainer. I got her at 8 weeks old to join the Cascade Mountains Rescue Dog's avalanche team. After an incredible first season working with her, I suffered a significant injury that deeply impacted my life. Something about my pain, growing anxiety, and sudden life change seemed to affect Kio, too. Almost overnight, she began showing signs of stress—becoming agitated around other dogs, uneasy with new people, startled by loud sounds, and overall, not enjoying her life the way she once did.

We set out with a strong plan to help her, and the journey has been a wild one. We had a vision of what life would look like—welcoming this new being into our home and working family, where we live such an intense outdoor lifestyle—but reactivity was a curveball none of us had anticipated.

Through immense intention, consistency, and discipline, we’ve grown together into a new chapter. From the start, she has been my mirror, reflecting my fears and anxieties. Together, we’ve adapted and overcome, working in tandem through injury and unexpected life changes.

Today, we continue to push the boundaries of expectation: paddleboarding, rafting, skiing, brewery hopping, hiking, camping, and traveling as a fur family like any other. After many ups and downs, we are now a certified avalanche rescue team. And last year, I completed the KPA course, watching her flourish through daily training and relationship-building.

There’s still so much more for me to learn—but I truly don’t know if I would have pursued this path if it weren’t for my desire to help Kio live the life she deserves.

How has completing the Dog Trainer Professional program and becoming a KPA CTP changed your life and career?

The biggest takeaway from my KPA course has been developing a stronger ability to solve problems critically. I can now examine a situation and confidently map out a path forward, utilizing skills I didn’t possess before. I support the training of avalanche rescue dogs, and with two new puppies coming on as candidates, I feel more capable than ever of helping my team succeed.

What is your proudest training moment?

My proudest training moment was the day we completed our in-house certification, officially becoming a deployable resource in the event of a snow immersion at our mountain. We faced countless setbacks and spent four years learning how to work together. Watching her push through everything we had trained for—and seeing it all come together in a beautiful moment of teamwork—was truly beyond words.