Specialties & credentials

I am certified by the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). I specialize in teaching dogs and their people basic manners and life skills, and helping fearful dogs gain confidence and come out of their shell. I’ve spent much of my career working with shelter and rescue dogs, reactive dogs, and dogs needing to build confidence and trust with their people. My goal is to help people and their dogs work cooperatively by building trust and communication rather than using intimidation or coercive methods to gain compliance.

Starting in 2019, I started officially offering in-home boarding to be able to help these families with care for dogs who can’t just stay anywhere when their people go out of town. As of 2024, board & train programs are also available for folks who would like their pups to learn some valuable skills during their stay, too! Additionally, we are now PACFA licensed and follow the regulations set for pet care facilities by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

I’m a member of the Pet Professional Guild, Doggone Safe, the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and the Colorado Dog Trainer’s Network.

History

I first got interested in dog training when I was around 9 years old, with my little red rescue dog, Brandy (the inspiration for KC’s name & logo!). Brandy quickly became my best friend and my shadow, and my love of dogs was born and I was able to teach her a variety of cute tricks and basic obedience.

As a young adult in 2005, I got my first dog—Buttons, a rescue puppy who was the runt of a litter of 14 puppies born on a farm in Elizabeth, CO. As Buttons grew, it became apparent that she was incredibly timid, and after a couple of unfortunate experiences with strange off-leash dogs, paired with my lack of knowledge in dog behavior/needs and socialization, she became very dog-reactive, and also fearful of strangers and young children. Desperate for help after hoping she’d grow out of it (surprise—she didn’t), I sought out the assistance of the professional dog trainers at the Denver Dumb Friends League (now Humane Colorado), among others, and learned so many valuable lessons living with and learning with Buttons.

By 2007 I had officially caught the dog training bug and decided to pursue it as a career. I coined the name “Kindred Canine” after watching Buttons and my foster dog Moose stand together during the sweet first snow of that season. I attained a Dog Trainer/Instructor certification through Penn Foster Career College that same year.

I gained further experience by helping run the CHAMPS training program at MaxFund Animal Adoption Center in Denver from 2009-2013, helping teach volunteers to train shelter dogs skills to keep them in their new forever homes. I officially jumped full-time into the pet care & training industry in 2013, first working for a colleague’s business (Delightful Doggies), and then starting Kindred Canine in 2014 and offering training, dog walking, and pet sitting services up until 2022 (as of 2022 I ONLY offer training & boarding services). I also earned a Bachelor degree in Biology (2016), and most recently a certification as CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed) from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (2023). I continue to attend a variety of continuing education seminars and courses to stay up to date on current behavioral science, and am thrilled to be able to pursue my passion for a living!