I started training service dogs in 1997 as a student trainer for Assistance Dogs of the West (ADW) in Santa Fe, NM. I continued to work with dogs as a groomer and as a animal care technician from 1999 - 2003 in Aspen and Broomfield, Colorado. In 2003, I moved to Honolulu, HI to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I graduated with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Applied Animal Biology & Management in 2009. After college I was invited back to Colorado to work as a trainer for the Colorado Dog Academy in Broomfield. In 2015, ADW invited me to attend Susan Clothier’s Enriched Puppy Protocol workshop. Clothier’s protocol was designed with the goal of raising “confident, competent and coordinated canines”. Shortly after, I was recruited to oversee the puppy enrichment program for ADW at Sunrise Springs Resort and Spa, now Ojo Santa Fe. I was responsible for the care, enrichment and training of service dog puppies in an interactive setting while living onsite to facilitate and execute all aspects of the program with their guests. From 2015 to 2018, I helped momma dogs whelp and raise 55 puppies. Fifty-three of those puppies were placed successfully and graduated with public access. In 2018, I got engaged to my now husband, Chris, and I accepted a position with Bernalillo County Animal Care Services and Resource Center as their shelter's Animal Behavior and Enrichment Specialist in Albuquerque, NM. The professional change in positions from focusing on raising purpose-bread puppies to shelter work was dramatic. This new role forced me to develop a whole new set of training skills, fine tuning my ability to read body language, identify early signs of stress and how to modify a wider range of behaviors. During that time I evaluated and worked with thousands of animals, with behaviors ranging from severe aggression cases, feral and under-socialized dogs and cats, separation anxiety, OCD behaviors and kennel stress or deterioration. It was frustrating and heart breaking to see these great dogs sit at the shelter for months, or sadly, sometimes never get adopted. After 5 years of sheltering, I resigned from my position at Bernalillo County in December of 2023, to focus on running my own business: Bright Paws Pet Behavior Specialist LLC. I still live in Albuquerque with my husband Chris and our 2 year old son. We have 3 dogs, all rescues, but only one of which was a foster-fail from working at the shelter. I continue to be passionate about public service and animal welfare. In 2023, I completed Suzanne Clotheir's Relationship Centered Training, Treat/Retreat Course for fearful dogs, and became a certified instructor. In January 2024, I was recruited by Pets for Vets for a part time position as their Talent Acquisition Coordinator, and I am also one of their Satellite Trainers. I attend regular educational conferences with industry experts to learn the latest techniques to modify complex behaviors. Most recently, I attended the 2023 Aggression in Dogs Conference in Chicago, and ClickerExpo2024 in Portland. I love working with dogs and cats, and I look forward to helping you with yours!
