About Me
I grew up on a small farm in rural southwestern Virginia and have been training dogs and horses since I was 9 years old. The first foal born on our farm—my Appaloosa mare, Bonnie—taught me a lesson I still use every day: animals notice far more about us than we notice about them. Apparently, it mattered to my 1,200-pound horse that the 90-pound kid on her back was holding her breath around the hunter over fences course. When I remembered to breathe, she cleared every jump. When I didn’t, rails came down.
What we do matters in our relationships with animals—sometimes more than the training itself.
A few years after that I moved to Richmond, Virginia to attend college and It turns out horses don't pasture all that well on asphalt; my focus eventually gravitated from horses to dogs. I earned my BS in psychology from VCU, with a heavy dose of education and art along the way. In fact, it's my art that is featured on ths page.
Psychology gave me the science of learning, education taught me how people actually absorb and process information, and art trained me to creatively find solutions. Those three things—science, teaching, and creativity—shape every case I take on.
About Dog Done It
Humane, evidence-based training and behavioral support grounded in real-world experience and practice.
The Dogs Who Shaped Me
When my husband and I adopted Tesla, our cattle dog mix, she was terrified of the entire world. Working with her sent me down the rabbit hole of modern dog training methods and showed me how much had changed since the dark ages of my youth—back when dirt was still young. Through Tesla I discovered real, science-based training as it’s understood and practiced today. She showed me the immense difference understanding, predictability, communication, patience, and security can make.
Later came Panda, who may have been the cutest puppy in the history of puppies. He was supposed to be a foster, but I quickly realized if I let him go, my life would be… less. To make sure I gave him the life he deserved, we joined Hannah Brannigan’s Zero to CD mentorship program, and he became my partner in serious training.
You can imagine my distress when Panda—formerly a happy demo dog for eastern medicine classes—was injured during a diagnostic procedure. The staff manhandled him; they flipped and pinned him for an abdominal shave and sonogram. He left with a strained muscle, severe razor burn, and shattered trust. One very bad handling choice has completely changed the way he feels about and reacts in veterinary appointments.
I didn’t advocate for him the way he needed, and he paid the price. That failure was brutal for both of us—but it’s fuel for my fire. I know firsthand how much handling matters, in homes and in veterinary settings. I can help you avoid the mistakes I made.
What I Believe
Needs come first. Before we ask for “good behavior,” we make sure dogs aren’t in pain, bored out of their skull, or scared out of their minds. People don’t do their best work under stress. Dogs don’t either.
Teach what to do. Yelling “stop it” doesn’t teach what to do instead. Digging, barking, chewing, counter surfing—these are normal behaviors. Training means showing dogs when and where it’s appropriate and giving them outlets so they don’t have to invent their own.
Training should feel like winning. Success builds joy. We break skills into small steps, set dogs (and their people) up for wins, and build from there. Everyone loves to win, dogs are no different.
It’s a two-way conversation. Dogs shouldn’t have to scream to be heard. I’ll help you learn how to spot the whispers before they turn into shouts.
Agency matters. Having a say in what happens is critical to the well-being of every sentient being—including dogs.
Every dog is an individual. Good training respects differences and adjusts to each dog’s unique needs and personality.
I’m here to help, not judge. Whatever history you bring—frustrations, mistakes, or half-baked internet advice—I’ll work with it. My job is to move you forward, not shame you for the past.
Continuing Education & Mentorship
I’ve had the great privilege of learning directly from some of the most respected minds in dog training and behavior. Panda and I joined Hannah Brannigan’s Zero to CD mentorship program when he was just six months old, and I’m now continuing in the program with Dice. Hannah Brannigan—author of Awesome Obedience and, in my book, the Michelangelo of dog trainers—is my training mentor.
My behavior mentor is Emily Strong, co-author of Canine Enrichment for the Real World—the DaVinci of behavior consultants. Through Hannah’s Zero to CD program and Pet Harmony’s PetPro mentorship community, I have ongoing access to courses, education, mentorship, and an international network of professional trainers. These programs keep my knowledge sharp, current, and grounded in both practical application and the latest science.
The Veterinary Side
Some of the most inspiring time of my life was as Hospital Administrator at Chi Animal Hospital, the teaching hospital of Chi University. I helped veterinary students and staff learn reduced-stress, behavior-based handling.
I saw firsthand how environmental setup and handling protocols made everything better: veterinarians performed more thorough exams, staff were safer, clients left relieved instead of rattled, and aftercare was easier to follow through on. Patients came in sick and still wanted to be there because we made it a positive, safe experience. It feels like magic—but it’s not. It’s training and handling done right.
Why I Do This
Because I get to geek out on science and behavior—but most of all, because nothing beats seeing a dog and their human win at life together.
If you’re a pet parent who wants a calmer, happier relationship with your dog—or a veterinary practice ready to create an environment where more patients thrive and fewer patients panic—I’d love to help.
Life Outside Work
I live in Stafford County, Virginia with my husband and our four dogs: Einstein, Smidget, Panda, and Dice. They keep me honest, keep me humble, and keep my YouTube channel stocked with training videos. I also volunteer at my county shelter, making videos of adoptable dogs and helping them put their best paw forward.