MISSION

• We believe dogs and their humans deserve to be considered and approached with compassion, as the individuals they are.

• Our mission is to help you and your dog build the relationship and skills needed to move through life in the ways that matter most to you both.

PHILOSOPHY + METHODS

We approach learning with curiosity, compassion, and evidence-based strategies.

We feel the AVSAB (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior) sums it up great in their position statement on humane dog training.

CERTIFICATIONS

Jess’ primary certification is CBCC-KA (Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed) through the CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers).

CONTINUED EDUCATION

Not only is it important to us to do our best to keep current with animal behavior science, it’s required!

Anyone who holds this behavior consulting certification is required to complete 36 continuing education units per certification period.

CEUs can be earned by attending a course (must be taught by a DVM, DACVB, PhD, CAAB, CDBC, or CBCC), presenting a course (outside of regular work we do for our own business), publishing a article in a peer-reviewed publication, or participating in an exam review. 

Safety

• Above all, we prioritize keeping you, your dog, human and animal community members, and us physically and emotionally safe while you learn.

Curiosity

• Whether we’re initially getting to know you and your dog or are brainstorming how to move through a roadblock to progress, we believe the best approach is to get curious! 

Compassion

• We know it can be hard, sometimes, to remember your dog is having a hard time, not giving you a hard time—we want to help you understand each other in a way that builds compassion into your relationship. 

Showing up Authentically

• Learning starts when you can show up as you are and be honest about where you and your dog are at without judgement.

• We hope to create an environment where you feel safe doing so. 

Taking Care of Us 

• Nobody learns as well as they can when they’re not doing well or when their basic needs are not met—this goes for you, your dog, and us!

• We’ll help you learn about meeting your dog’s needs and empower you to do what you need to do to meet your own—both make a difference in learning with your dog. 

Relationships

• We believe investing in relationship-centered learning with your dog can lead to a happier, more connected life and we’re excited to share that with you.

Community

• We want to become a resource the community can trust and come to when they need support.

• We welcome feedback on ways you feel it is important us to be in community with the people, places, and pets we serve.

Sharing Resources

• We don’t believe in hoarding knowledge or resources.

• When we have extra, we want to find ways to share.

• We're excited to start growing a fund to provide behavior support to people and pets who are eager and able to commit to learning but don't have the financial resources to make it happen.

  • If this is your wheelhouse and you have information on or access to ways to fund this, please get in touch!

  • If you’d like to donate to support a fellow pet parent, you can do so here.

Lifelong Learning

• We’re advocates for remaining open to new information and opportunities to learn!

• In this context, that looks like a commitment to staying current in our field and it also looks like an open willingness to learn about your world so we can provide the best possible support.