I have been raising and training dogs and horses my whole life. Growing up in a family who trained guide dogs, I learned early on the importance of how dogs fit into our lives and the most effective ways to train them. During my early teens, I raised two guide-dog puppies and quickly realized that once you teach a dog how to learn, you could train them to do just about anything.

I surpassed the standard training curriculum with my second guide-dog puppy, an amazing golden retriever named Virgo, and began to explore field trails and scent discrimination. Virgo became the star of the “Guide Dogs For The Blind” documentary, and through him I learned the value of relationship and exploring more positive techniques for training than were the norm at the time. With Virgo, I used my voice as well as my thoughts and body to influence his behavior.

I grew up riding quarter horses and set about studying classical dressage and combined training in my early 20s, immersing myself both personally and professionally for over 24 years in equine studies.  My extensive work with horses taught me to work with my charges, not against them, and to look to myself and my own strengths and weaknesses to bring out the best in them.

Horses and dogs are capable of making impressive decisions and expressing brilliance in their own individuality. It’s our job to see it, capture it and understand it’s for them to reveal themselves. We can effectively and successfully train from the heart, with grace and kindness using the latest scientific methods.

One of my greatest teachers was my beautiful bull terrier, Hennessy. With Henny, I not only learned about clicker training and operant conditioning, but also about cultivating her decision-making skills, the value of focusing on behaviors to reward and the gift of committing to something you love. I believe that you can possess an open heart and a big smile and still be a serious student or trainer.