Meet the Trainer
The story behind the method — and the dog that started it all.
Andi
I was in my final year of veterinary school when a health condition changed my plans for good. What I needed was a service dog — and what I learned is that nobody hands you one. I had to find the right dog, train him myself, and become the kind of handler he needed.
That dog was Forte.
Forte is retired now. He sleeps in, he’s thoroughly spoiled, and he’s earned every bit of it. He still works when he feels like it — he’s a natural teacher, and young or uncertain dogs learn more from watching him than they ever learn from watching me. And for dogs who’d rather not share space with another dog, Forte spends the day at a friend’s place. He’s never the reason a dog has a hard day.
“Great training isn’t about crushing a dog’s spirit to get compliance — it’s about learning their language so they actively choose to listen.”
I’m back to 100% — fully recovered and well for two years now. But I spent twelve years depending on a dog for things most people never think about, and that taught me more about how dogs learn, communicate, and bond than any classroom could have.
These days I bring that experience where I think it matters most — to people preparing their own service dogs, and to anyone caring for a dog who needs a little more than the usual. I’ve been on both sides of it: the handler who needed everything from her dog, and the trainer who knows how to build that. Not many people have sat in both chairs.
The veterinary training didn’t go to waste either. It’s why I notice the limp, the skipped meal, the dog who’s gone a little too quiet. And it’s why I only take one family at a time.
- AKC Certified Instructor
- Service Dog Specialist
- Canine Massage Therapist
- Disability-Inclusive Training
- Veterinary Science Background
- Force-Free Methods Only