I began my career teaching middle school students, but after adopting my first dog, Randall, I discovered my love of learning extends further than I thought. My beloved Randall was a lot more than I bargained for at 20 years old and I quickly found myself immersed in the world of dog training. We worked with a wonderful private trainer who changed our lives and eventually offered me a job at their facility. I’ve got to experience the deep, prolific changes welfare-based, positive reinforcement training can bring; in both the classes I take and the ones I teach. I led group classes in the evenings after teaching in Madison, WI for two years before we relocated back to southern Minnesota.

In January of 2023 I took the plunge and launched my own business, Spot On Dog Training, named for my spotty boy Randall. My degrees in Elementary and Special Education have proven valuable in my work as a dog trainer. I’m passionate about making humane training accessible to everyone who needs it. I also love helping the people I work with, prioritizing their needs too.