About Me &
How I Train

A certified behavior consultant with more than 15 years of training and behavior experience, I pride myself in offering high quality and effective animal behavior services.

Originally from Michigan/Indiana, I found myself in Virginia after college. While working for the Richmond SPCA, a well-respected behaviorist, now with the ASPCA, introduced me to dog training. I earned my first training certification in 2010 (CPDT-KA) and then my second in 2012 (CPDT-KSA). I am currently a certified canine behavior consultant (CBCC-KA) and a fear free certified professional.

I was the first trainer with Richmond Animal Care and Control, then a Behavior and Training Specialist with the Richmond SPCA working with the enrichment, training, and behavioral rehabilitation of shelter animals. After promotions to Coordinator then Manager of Training Education, I grew their behavioral assistance programs for the public and soon began taking behavior clients with Honest to Dog RVA.

After moving back to Michigan, I started Full Life Behavior & Training to help meet the behavioral needs of pet owners in the community.

I strongly believe in continuing education and am working towards certifications with the IAABC.

I believe in fear free training utilizing only reward-based training techniques, also known as “positive reinforcement”. This doesn’t mean that I allow dogs to practice unwanted behavior, but that I utilize techniques that do not cause pain or fear. Reward based training is an incredibly effective way to train animals and modify behavior. It is supported by well-established scientific principles.

This style of training

  • increases communication between you and your dog.
  • builds trust between you and your dog.
  • considers the emotional state of the dog and the effect of emotions on behavior.
  • has no negative health or behavioral side effects as can happen with methods involving pain and intimidation.

I can provide solid research supporting all training and behavior modification techniques I utilize,
as well as research supporting why there are training techniques I recommend against.

Education:

  • IAABC Behavior Consulting Principles & Practice
  • Fall 2020 recipient of the IAABC’s Rebecca Park Scholarship
  • University of Richmond: Canine Logic & Advanced Canine Logic
  • University of Richmond: Reading Rover
  • Spring Arbor University: Application of Behavioral Principles
  • Bachelor of Arts: Biology & Anthropology

Ongoing Education:

  • IAABC Foundation Animal Behavior Conference
  • IAABC Foundation Pounce! Conference on Cat Behavior
  • Aggression in Dogs Yearly Conference
  • Science of Animal Behavior Yearly Conference
  • Books, Workshops, & Webinars

My Family