Specialties & credentials

I am certified by the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). I specialize in teaching dogs and their people basic manners and life skills, and helping fearful dogs gain confidence and come out of their shell. I’ve spent much of my career working with shelter and rescue dogs, reactive dogs, and dogs needing to build confidence and trust with their people. My goal is to help people and their dogs work cooperatively by building trust and communication rather than using intimidation or coercive methods to gain compliance. Starting in 2019, I started officially offering in home boarding to be able to help these families with care for dogs who can’t just stay anywhere when their people go out of town. As of 2024, board & train programs are also available for folks who would like their pups to learn some valuable skills during their stay, too! Additionally, we are now PACFA licensed and follow the regulations set for pet care facilities by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

I’m a member of the Pet Professional Guild, Doggone Safe, the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and the Colorado Dog Trainer’s Network.

History

I first got interested in dog training when I was around 9 years old, with my little red rescue dog, Brandy (the inspiration for KC’s name & logo!). Brandy was my shadow, and needed little training—but my love of dogs was born and I was able to teach her a variety of cute tricks and basic obedience.

As an adult, my first dog of my “own” was Buttons, a rescue pup who was the runt of a litter of 14 puppies born on a farm in Elizabeth. As Buttons grew, it became apparent that she was quite timid, and after a couple of unfortunate experiences with strange off-leash dogs, she became very dog-reactive. I learned SO many valuable lessons living with and problem solving with Buttons, and am eternally grateful to have had a behaviorally challenging dog early on, as I am able to relate to and help so many people and dogs who are going through similar challenges now.

In 2008, when Buttons was only 3, I decided to officially pursue a dog training career, and coined the name “Kindred Canine” after attaining a Dog Trainer/Instructor certification through Penn Foster Career College. I gained experience by helping run the CHAMPS training program at MaxFund Animal Adoption Center in Denver from 2009-2013, helping teach volunteers to train shelter dogs skills to keep them in their new forever homes. I officially jumped full-time into the pet care & training industry in 2013, first working for a colleague’s business, and then starting Kindred Canine, LLC in 2014 and offering training, dog walking, and pet sitting services up until 2022 (as of 2022 I only offer training & boarding services). I later earned a Bachelor degree in Biology (2016), and most recently a certification as CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed) from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (2023). I attend a variety of continuing education opportunities to stay up to date on current behavioral science!