About Me, Your Trainer

I was born into a dog family, and have lived with dogs my entire life. I began training our family dogs formally when I was nine, and it became a lifelong hobby. I've trained for obedience, competed in show, and was a Canine Search and Rescue handler. After retiring from a 33- year career as a public school educator, I have become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, which combines my passions of dogs, teaching, and positive behavior support.

After retiring from human education, I decided to go back to school to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. My path to certification has been through coursework, my work with outstanding mentors, and working with clients and their dogs. Assisting and teaching group classes and learning from the exceptional trainers at Providence Animal Center has been invaluable to me. I went to Raising Canine Dog Trainer School for my foundational training. I am finishing my program to be a Certified Behavior Adjustment Trainer-Knowledge Assessed at The Grisha Stewart Academy which provides training for working with fearful and reactive dogs.

In addition to my foundational training, I have taken even more  coursework, to specialize in my areas of interest.

Pet Perspectives Puppy School Instructors Course from Dr. Jen Nesbitt-Hawes, BVSc Veterinary Behaviorist

Fear Free Shelters Courses

Grisha Stewart Academy Certificate Courses for Dogs with Reactive Behaviors:

Barking Mad

BAT 101

BAT Chats: Video 

BAT for Geeks

BAT 2.0 Set-Ups 

Big Feelings Building 

Common Behavior Challenges (3 Courses)

Cooperative Care Training

Effort-less Dog Walking 

Empowered Puppy Raising 

Evolution of BAT 3.0

Family Safety 

Holistic Approach to Reactivity

How to "Human"

Imposter Experience

Introduction to BAT 2.0

MicroSigns: Dog Body Language

Nosework for Cats

Pain and Behavior

Predation Substitute Training 

Problem Prevention in Dogs

Stress and Anxiety in Dogs 

Superheroes Say No Gracefully

Supporting Clients

Survival Skills for BAT

Susan Friedman

Talk With Me! Simple Solutions 

Train Your Nervous System

TTouch and BAT Together

Urban BAT Webinar

Walk With Me! Safety

Stop Pulling! 

I am a member of the following organizations for professional dog trainers:

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)

Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)

Pet Professional Guild (PPG)

Association of Pennsylvania Professional Trainers (APPT)

Grisha Stewart Academy Diamond Member