"Dogs respond to what we communicate, not what we intend."

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Dogs have been a central focus in my life for as long as I can remember. Even in my twenties, when asked to write down a five-year goal at work, mine was always the same: become a dog trainer. It took a little longer than five years, but I eventually made it happen, and I've never looked back since.

In 2022, I launched FurLife Dog Services with the goal of helping people build stronger, more meaningful relationships with their dogs through clear communication, real-world training, and customized support.

I've always been a seeker and learner, and dogs have been my greatest teachers. They are the ultimate truth tellers: honest, intuitive, and incapable of pretense. I've learned more about authenticity, presence, and communication from dogs than from any other source.

One of the things I love most about dogs is that they respond to what we communicate, not what we intend. They don't get caught up in stories or assumptions; they simply respond to the information we give them in each moment. That makes them extraordinary teachers, if we're willing to pay attention.

My path began with family and rescue dogs, including time spent volunteering at the SPCA, and later evolved into a formal apprenticeship with trainer Monique Anstee of The Naughty Dogge. I entered that program with my own fearful, reactive dog, Bodhi, who became a great teacher and a catalyst for my career as a trainer.

Since then, my work has become a full-time immersion in canine behaviour: training and working hands-on with dogs of all breeds, temperaments, and backgrounds. I am obsessed with all things dogs, and I never tire of watching dog dynamics in my packs and out in the world. Communication fascinates me, and I deeply appreciate every opportunity to improve the lines of communication between dogs and their humans.

My methods and style are influenced by trainers such as Mia Skogster and Ivan Balabanov. In 2025, I successfully graduated from Mia's CERTIFIED™ Dog Trainer program, where I was one of only three students in my cohort to complete the certification. My approach reflects a balanced, relationship-based philosophy grounded in clarity, fairness, communication, and play.

Over the years, I've realized that my greatest strength as a trainer isn't simply teaching behaviours—it's seeing the subtle patterns of communication and relationship that often go unnoticed. I love helping people recognize what their dog has been trying to say all along, because once communication becomes clear and the relationship begins to strengthen, the behaviour often starts to take care of itself. 

That's where the real transformation happens.

With a background in psychology, fitness, yoga therapeutics, coaching, and martial arts, I bring a holistic lens to dog training; one that emphasizes self-awareness, leadership, and the dynamic relationship between human and dog. My goal is not simply to teach obedience, but to help people understand their dogs more deeply, communicate more clearly, and build the kind of partnership that lasts a lifetime.

Outside of client work, I actively train and compete in obedience with my three dogs, Zenya, Kymber, and Quest. Continuing to develop my own skills as a handler keeps me learning, growing, and bringing fresh experience back to every dog and person I work with.

If you're looking for a trainer who will see both you and your dog clearly, meet you where you are, and help you grow together with honesty, compassion, and supportive accountability, we're likely a good fit.