When you know better, you do better.

In 2017, I was working as an accounting and bookkeeping assistant at an engineering firm. On paper, I had a stable career—but inside, I felt deeply unfulfilled.

Then came Akira, a rehomed imported working-line German Shepherd who had already weathered many transitions in her young life. When she ended up in my care, I began bringing her to work, thinking she might enjoy the company. What I didn’t expect was how profoundly she would transform my perspective.

In the quiet strength of her presence and the gentleness of her soul, I discovered that work could be joyful. Akira didn’t just keep me company—she helped me reconnect with purpose, compassion, and the possibility of a different path.

She changed my world.

It all began with a pair of fabulous ears and a few white whiskers. Her trust in me sparked a lifelong passion for understanding and working with dogs.

In 2019, I earned a Certificate in Canine Studies from the Northwest School of Canine Studies while raising my first personal German Shepherd, John Denver. That experience deepened my fascination with canine behavior and laid the foundation for everything that followed.

For nearly two years, I worked at a competitive board-and-train and breeding facility, where I had the rare opportunity to observe and influence dog behavior from birth. Playing a pivotal role in the early lives of puppies inspired me to dive deeper into the science of animal behavior.

In June 2025, I completed a Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior from the University of Washington. Today, I’m honored to help others build meaningful connections with their dogs—teaching not just obedience, but mutual understanding.

And to think, it all started with one remarkable dog who believed in me.