about

early years

from a young age, i have been fascinated by animals of all shapes and sizes. as a teenager, i worked on two local horse farms, where i learned everything i could about natural horsemanship, animal behavior, and communication. i received this education from trainers, clinics, long-time riders, and most importantly, the horses and other animals themselves.

veterinary experience

when i went off to college, i started with the intention of becoming a therapist, as i have a great interest in human (and animal) behavior and mental health. during my junior year of college, i started working in a general practice veterinary hospital, which i enjoyed so much that i decided to explore veterinary medicine further before committing to graduate school. 

during this work, i studied for and got my fear free certification and continued to learn about animal behavior and care. i gained further experience working in a small animal emergency and specialty hospital, and continued to hone my skills working with animals of all kinds, especially enjoying working with anxious, shy, under-socialized, and reactive animals.

training inclination

in 2019, i took on and began to behaviorally rehabilitate my own "demon dog", charlie, an 11-month-old kelpie mix with major behavioral issues. his transformation from fire breathing dragon to grounded, joyful, well-mannered, and intrepid companion and best friend fills my heart and blows my mind to this day.

i soon delved into agility and advanced training with charlie, which opened up a new pursuit for me -- becoming a professional dog trainer. while being mentored by a local trainer, i enjoyed teaching group puppy and obedience classes, as well as sitting in on individual consults. while continuing to learn and study to become a dog trainer, i worked as a professional dog walker and pet sitter, and received my cpdt-ka certification in early 2022.

coneflower canines — the beginning

in response to the pandemic, i saw a need for mobile dog training services. in july of 2022, i started coneflower canines, llc, a business where i focus on the intersection of behavioral health and communication, both inter- and intra-species. i now work with anxious and distressed dogs and their human counterparts in their home environments, using humane and effective training techniques grounded in positive reinforcement and respect. my compassionate and understanding approach to training and learning benefits canines and humans alike.

coneflower canines — today!

i am committed to staying informed and continuing my education as a trainer. i enjoy being a resource and cheerleader for my clients, wherever they may be in their training journeys.

i am excited to share my passion for animal behavior and communication with you and your canine companion. let's work together to create a positive and healthy relationship between you and your dog!