For most of my life, I had no clue what my passion was… when people asked that (or I watched people know theirs), I wondered if I would ever know.  When I adopted Daisy in 2022, my entire world changed. 

Daisy was an insecure dog.  She was literally scared of everything… except other dogs (and her immediate human family).  And, interestingly, my pup prior to Daisy (who I had for 14 years) was also an insecure dog.  And if you’ve ever had an insecure dog, you know that they require A LOT.  At first I was upset because I didn’t know if I had it in me to do that all over again.  But I knew I’d absolutely give it my best and take what I had learned from my first pup along our journey together and go one step at a time.  And I’m so glad I did.

I did what I knew.  I put Daisy in a bootcamp-style board and train because that’s what helped the most last time.  And it did help.  Both of us.  So much so that I asked to be trained by the trainer so I could volunteer because I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.  That didn’t pan out, but something was born in me. 

So, I continued to follow the thread of curiosity while being devoted to Daisy’s daily training to honor her need for structure, not out of obligation, but something deeper was unfolding.  Our daily sessions became about connection and, suddenly, I was realizing how much fun I was having and how good I was at committing and applying what I was learning and then being blown away by her response letting me know what worked and what didn’t.  People started asking me if I was a trainer.  At the time, I didn’t consider myself a trainer—but deep down in my heart already knew: I was on the path to becoming one.

And a whole world opened up for me.  I began learning from a variety of trainers and philosophies. I worked briefly at Sit Means Sit, where I was first introduced to e-collar work. That same year, I attended Cheri Wulff Lucas’ Train the Trainer program—a pivotal experience that brought me into the world of dog psychology and calm, relationship-based leadership.  I continued to deepen my foundation by training under Liz Foley, completing her e-collar program, and weaving together a blend of her approach with Cheri’s. I also completed Ridge Vogel’s Pack Leader University, which brought me deeper into the emotional world of the dog and the psychology behind how they move through the world. 

Then came Jentle Method through Oregon Tails—a somatic, movement-based technique created by Jonathan Czinder that translates the intuitive feel of working with horses into dog handling. Through this method, I learned to feel where a dog holds tension, hesitation, or lightness—and how to support them, not force them, into balance.

Each of these programs opened up a part of me and allowed me to continue to fine tune how I would serve dogs, and the humans blessed to be their stewards.

And, what I can say with certainty, this passion has never been just about dogs. It’s always been about healing.

Alongside dog training, I’ve been walking a parallel path of personal and spiritual growth. I’m a Reiki Master Teacher, a Family Constellation Facilitator, and a lifelong student of astrology, meditation, and nervous system regulation. I’ve studied somatic practices through Irene Lyon and worked to regulate my own system through breathwork, stillness, and simplicity.

The journey inward has directly shaped how I show up with dogs (and life)—I’ve learned how to return to my own body with compassion and presence. That inner work became the foundation for how I support others and is ever evolving.

Things I’ve learned: Dogs aren’t here to be managed or fixed. They’re asking to be understood. In order to support them, we must first learn how to support ourselves.

Today, I support both ends of the leash. Because when we regulate ourselves, our dogs begin to regulate too.

This isn’t just training. It’s relational. It’s energetic. It’s a practice in presence—for both of you.

My approach blends dog psychology, e-collar work, somatic awareness, and energy-based practices to guide both humans and dogs into deeper connection. Today, I live with two dogs who truly are my greatest teachers—Daisy, my gentle back-of-the-pack soul who taught me the power of boundaries, and Flo, my confident, no-nonsense girl who reminds me to hold steady and stay light.