Meet Cassie!
Dogs have always been a huge part of my life. I spent my earliest childhood years with the quintessential family dog, a Golden Retriever named Marley. I remember how gentle he was, and how deeply he loved and was loved by everyone he met. We always had at least one dog as part of our family unit, and moving out into an apartment I felt a hole in my heart where my dogs used to be. When I was offered a job where I would be allowed to bring a pup with me, I was quick to jump at the opportunity. A month later, I had my very own First Dog In Adulthood. Penelope changed my life, and awoke a passion in me I didn’t previously know I had. I chose to be hands on with her training, and found a brand new kind of joy in learning what she could do. She was my partner throughout my course at Karen Pryor, and she’s my lifelong partner in crime.
In the summer of 2025 we added another pup to the pack; Fable delights me every day, and reminds me that dogs are indeed individuals. In my free time I hike the abundant trails of southern New Hampshire with my two furry companions, rock climb with my husband, or curl up on the couch with a book or crossword. I can also be found volunteering with Mary’s Dogs, one of our local rescues.
Penelope
Fable
My philosophy
I am a positive reinforcement certified trainer. I use science-backed methods to create compassionate and effective behavior modification plans. The simple question "What's the function?" reframes the way we think about undesirable behavior, and gives us the opportunity to consider dogs’ individual needs. I follow Dr. Susan Friedman’s Humane Hierarchy of Behavior Change, meaning I use the least intrusive methods for efficient training. Training with me means strengthening the relationship between you and your dog.