My Journey
I’ve been working with dogs since 1998, but I’ve been studying them my entire life.
Dogs are my passion; they’ve always been my passion. I’ve dedicated my life to animals.
My journey in the dog world has been a long one. My first real dog experience was while volunteering at Morris Animal Refuge in Center City, Philadelphia. I’ve worked with the People Pet Partnership, PACCA (now ACCT), PAWS, and City of Elderly Love. I also served on the Citizens for a No-Kill Philadelphia board and was an organizer for With Love Super Adoption Day for many years. I’ve also helped various local rescues with specific cases throughout my years. I’m always happy to help whenever I get special requests.
I am a Cabrini University graduate. I started my career in the photography industry as a professional photographer and ran high-end professional labs in the city, but in 2005, my life changed for the better.
I was recruited by the biggest dog-walking company in the city at the time. They heard about my work in rescue and learned that I had a knack for helping misunderstood and challenging animals.
After a year of working with them, I decided it was time to start training independently. Over the years, I have cultivated my approach to achieving balanced and harmonious bonds between people and their dogs.
I’ve lived in a multi-species household for over 23 years, and this experience has enriched my life and understanding of how to navigate the needs of many animals living under one roof.
The Philly Pack has been my life’s work. It has seen many phases. I began with dog walking, training, and helping people address behavior. 2010 the Philly Pack Pet Shop opened, which put me on the map. After five years, I opened a dog training center where I provided socialization, training, daycare, walking, group classes, pack walks, and more. The Philly Pack Canine Enrichment Center was my lifelong dream, but unfortunately, it came to an end due to a fire and circumstances beyond my control. While the last chapter of my life has seen some personal loss, I’ve managed to get back to my roots and simplify.
My mission is to help people better understand their dogs.
So often, people struggle to understand their dogs. With careful observation, I can help people adjust their approach to build a more solid foundation in their relationship with their canine best friend.
I have spent my entire career studying dogs, learning from some of the most renowned dog professionals in the field. I have various certifications from various seminars and schools, and I attend educational conferences annually through the IACP, the International Association for Canine Professionals. But truthfully, none of that is relevant because I’ve never met a dog that cared about my education. What dogs care about is being safe, understanding our expectations, and having their basic needs provided.
My goal is for you to have harmony in your life with your canine companions.
I consider myself a dog-owner coach. Yes, I train dogs and teach people how to handle their dogs, but truthfully, what I really do is coach people on how to build a solid foundation with their dogs. I coach people on how to understand their dogs’ needs and address whatever stage in life they may be experiencing.
