Yes, I do have more letters after my name than in my name. But if you can’t stack them after your name in the “About Me” page, where can you put them? Seriously though, the main reason for all these certifications is that my primary work for the last 15 years - animal behavior consulting - is unregulated. Therefore, to demonstrate professional knowledge, skills, and commitment to ethics and welfare, it’s important to earn the industries top certifications. So yeah, that’s why I have an alphabet soup after my name.
Simply put I am a professional dog trainer and behavior consultant as well as a certified compassion fatigue educator. I love animals and have a passion for dog training but that doesn't stop at my animal clients. I have just as deep a passion for my human clients, my fellow colleagues and everyone working with animals.
This passion for the human half of the human-animal relationship lead me to focus on the personal drain that caring so deeply for animals can have on professionals. I have therefore dedicated the latter part of my career to learning about how to help her colleagues better their business and themselves.
In addition to my graduate and professional work, I am also a dog sports competitor, primitive dog mama, and hobby collector. I share my home with my dogs, my husband, a parrot, 4 chickens and some fish.
Master of Science in Anthrozoology
Thesis: Owner-reported attachment and behavior characteristics of New Guinea singing dogs living as companion animals
Certified Dog Behavioral Consultant (CDBC)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge and Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA)
Certified Fear Free Animal Trainer
Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor (CBATI)
Certified Whistle Recall Instructor (CWRI)
Certified Compassion Fatigue Educator
Certified Compassion Fatigue Therapist
QPR Gatekeeper and Online Suicide Intervention Specialist
Pet CPR and First Aid Certified
AKC CGC, CGCA, CGCU, Trick Dog Evaluator
team member of the New Guinea Highland Wild Dog Foundation
member of the National Shiba Club of America
member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers
member of the Animal Behavior Society
member of the Animals and Society Institute
member of the International Society for Anthrozoology
member of the American Anthropological Association
Board Member for the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs Therapy Dog Evaluator
Dog and Handler Team with Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs
Dog and Handler Team with Roxy Reading Therapy Dogs
President for the Frenchtown Business and Professionals Association
President of the Shiba Club of Greater New York
Animal Welfare Director and Behavioral Rehabilitator for NYC Shiba Rescue
Board Member of the National Shiba Club of America
member of the National Shiba Club of America Companion Events Committee
member of the National Shiba Club of America Health Committee
blogger and contributor for Barkpost
