Helping Dogs
and Their Humans
Together, we create space for compassionate cross-species connection.
How I Work
Rewards Based
I use positive reinforcement to teach your dog what we want them to do—not punish what we don’t want them to do—using what they naturally find reinforcing, like food or sniffing.
No Fear, No Pain
I never use shock, prong, or choke collars, leash corrections, intimidation, or other harsh methods. In fact, if you need a high-quality harness, I can help you select and source one for your dog.
Consistency is Key
I give detailed updates, including video, on what your dog is learning so you can implement the same techniques on your own. If you are a walking client already working with a rewards-based trainer, I will communicate with them to learn the training plan.
What is rewards-based training?
Also known as positive reinforcement or force free training, rewards based training is rooted in the latest scientific research on animal behavior, applied ethology, and canine wellness. It starts by assessing our dog’s wellness: their physical health, nutrition, and environment. Then, we proceed to deal with unwanted behaviors by setting the dog up for success in their environment and using positive reinforcement to teach them the behaviors we want.
Positive reinforcement is highly effective and builds strong relationships between dogs and their owners and handlers.
About Me
It all started with my first dog, a goldendoodle named Moose. A shoulder injury put him on crate rest, and to help him cope, I started learning clicker training so we could play brain games and he could learn body awareness as he healed. This sent me on a journey into the world of positive reinforcement training and dog wellness. Five years later, I started volunteering and fostering for a local rescue organization. Because I had experience with clicker training, they often asked me to help walk the more difficult dogs: the ones who pulled on leash, barked at other dogs, or were just a little timid and needed a patient handler.
Then, in fall 2018, I got a call asking me to foster a young, heartworm positive Australian cattle dog named Daisy. My partner and I agreed to get her through her heartworm treatment and ready for adoption in her forever home… But she turned out to be a little more than anyone bargained for. After trying to find her the perfect home for a whole year, we finally adopted her after moving to a farm that would better meet all of our needs than the urban environment we had been living in.
Meeting all of Daisy’s physical, mental, and emotional needs has required a deep dive into the world of dog behavior and welfare. I am a Certified Family Dog Mediator and Fear Free Certified Dog Walker, I am studying to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, I have served on the board of directors of Summit Dog Rescue, and I co-host the podcast Pod to the Rescue, a dog behavior and wellness resource for rescues, fosters, and adopters.
In addition to my work with dogs, I work as a freelance writer and editor and have a master of fine arts from the University of Wyoming in creative writing. I live with Daisy and my partner, Jason, outside of Boulder, Colorado.
My pronouns are she/her/hers.
Investment
Start with a free 20-minute phone consultation to determine your needs.
Walk and Train | $75 per hour (45 minute minimum)
Family Dog Mediation | $95 per one hour session | $275 for a 3-session package
