I have been a balanced dog trainer in Portland Oregon for several years.  Balanced dog training helps me and my clients move through issues quickly and effectively.  In addition, it also helps us to cultivate a better relationship and connection with our dogs.  

My Teachers

My personal style is a mixture of different methods from the various teachers I have studied with.  Over the years I have been attending dog training seminars and studying with world famous teachers such as Cheri Lucas (who worked extensively with Cesar Milan) and Sean O’shea (from The Good Dog in New Orleans).  In addition, I have also studied with Jeff Gellman (from Solid K9 Training in Rhode Island which rehabs the most aggressive dogs in the country).  

I have learned a lot about dog psychology from Cheri Lucas and love teaching my clients how dogs think and perceive their environment.  When this is understood, so much can change.  

Horseback Riding Experience

I also have an extensive background in training horses.  When I was a teenager I studied horsemanship intensively with a cattle rancher and a true cowboy Mike Bridges who wrote, The Art of Making a California Style Vaquero Bridle Horse.  His approach was very, “horse whisperer,” as in gentle but effective.  

I had a very difficult Arabian horse that would often try to combatively throw me off.  Honestly, he was so wild, my life was in danger while riding him.  However, at the end of my studies with Mike, I was herding cattle on his ranch.  My horse and I were working as a team and completely tuned into each other.  It was an incredible transformation that I worked extremely hard for.  I take a lot of my lessons and philosophy from the horse world and apply it to balanced dog training. READ MORE about my story.  

Other Credentials

In addition to dog training I have worked in a Level 1 trauma center as an interfaith hospital chaplain doing crisis intervention. Furthermore, I hold a Masters of Divinity degree from the Graduate Theological Union Seminary in Berkeley, CA.  This type of work requires a certain amount of communication skills in addition to inner strength.  I really attribute a lot of my inner strength to my mother and the lessons she has taught me about dogs and life.  

Working with dogs with behavioral issues takes an incredible amount of mindfulness and skill.  I have found personal and spiritual development to be imperative to working with dogs and people and hope to be an inspiration to others.  Similarly, I am also inspired by my clients and the development of inner strength they cultivate through improving their relationship with their dog.