I am a professional dog trainer/behaviorist, specializing in behavior issues such as dog and human aggression, anxiety, resource guarding, prey drive, hyper-sensitivity, etc. Basically, if your dog is a bit rough around the edges, they're my type of dog. I take great pride in my skills, and great pleasure in rehabilitating dogs, raising their self-esteem and improving their (and your) overall quality of life. A bit about me.. I have always had a love for animals, my entire life. I grew up with many challenges, and when people were not there for me, there was usually a neighbor dog, cat or even a horse to keep me company and get me through those moments. I have always appreciated animals for their unconditional love and understanding. They are intelligent, sentient beings that feel the same emotions that we do. Many people often forget this, and it has led our world down some awful roads when it comes to our pets. Canine and Human have evolved together, as partners, for over 30,000 years. We have essentially designed each other for a near perfect partnership, and it is my passion to discover and maintain that relationship between you and your canine friend. My career began accidentally, as I was simply pursuing my passions in order to live a happy life. It all began when I adopted a shelter pup, Irie, from the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, and was absolutely impressed with their volunteers and staff. They all seemed to really enjoy what they were doing, and it made me consider that path. Shortly after Irie entered my life, along came Cashew. Cashew was a dog that had little to no chance of surviving as he was deemed a dangerous dog by the animal shelter, being picked up as stray several times and being evaluated in that moment. I was lucky to get Cashew before he entered the shelter on surrender, directly from the family. However, I almost immediately had second thoughts about what I had just gotten myself into. Cashew came with some pretty severe social behavior issues, issues I had never dealt with. Not in dog form, anyway. By this time I had been volunteering for a few years as a counselor for at-risk and foster youth at a summer camp. I quickly realized that I could implement tools that I had learned from working with children, into working with dogs. After about 6 months with Cashew, we found common ground and were able to move forward with ease. Many times I thought I was done with him, but I slept on it and we began a new day with a fresh start. Nearly 6 years later, he is by my side daily, as my partner. I cannot do what I do without Cashew and Irie. Maybe it was my childhood, maybe it's just who I am, but I know I love a good challenge, both physical and mental. I realized how much fun I actually had along this journey. I felt the reward. I saw the outcome, the progress. And so did everyone else. Suddenly friends were asking me to help them with their dogs. I remembered the animal shelter, and how much fun the volunteers seemed to have. I also thought about dogs like Cashew that get brought to the shelter, with little to no chance of survival. I wanted to volunteer, to help those dogs. I spent the next year fostering 25 dogs that needed moderate to severe rehabilitation, volunteering thousands of hours with the shelter and rescues in the area. During this time, I brought my experience of working with children together with my experience working with dogs to a program called UnChained, where we taught at-risk youth to train adoptable shelter dogs. I cannot express how much this relationship benefits all parties involved. I then found Rover, and started my first business out of Santa Cruz, named after my first pup, Irie Times Dog Walking & Pet Concierge. After 2 years, my lease was up and I decided to travel with Irie and Cashew to Costa Rica for a few months. Needless to say, we had an amazing time living in the jungle, experiencing life to the fullest. When we came back, we landed in Oakland. I found a job working at High Tail Hotel, a dog boarding and daycare facility in San Francisco. Here I was able to learn the ins and outs of a dog care business, in order to better succeed on my own. 10 years later, business is thriving and we’ve relocated to a larger, permanent location in Vallejo. I then started Cultured Hounds, as my passion is training-- more specifically, rehabilitating dogs with social behavior issues due to trauma, neglect, etc. I can relate to them, I understand them. I cannot deny our connection, therefore I am here for them. Why I love what I do I am a dog nut, having had dogs all of my life. Almost everything I do is a dog based activity. My pups go everywhere with me. I have been training for about 12 years now, specializing in misunderstood dogs which may show fear, aggression, hyper-sensitivity, etc. About my yard I have a completely fenced in half acre for the dogs to explore. My experience administering medication You name it, I can handle it. I am also first aid and CPR certified for pets!