My Philosophy, Experience, and Method in Practice
What Is My Philosophy?
Understanding Comes First
Before trying to change behavior, I focus on understanding it. That means looking at what’s driving the behavior and why previous advice may not have worked. I treat a client’s history as essential information – what’s been tried, what’s helped and not helped, as well as the animal’s behavior. When people understand what’s actually happening, decisions become more thoughtful and easier to make.
Real Life Comes First
Behavior doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and neither do the people living with it. Any guidance that ignores time limits, energy limits, finances, mental health, or household realities is unlikely to stick. My work prioritizes what matters most right now, not what would be ideal in theory. Progress doesn’t require doing everything—it requires doing the right things in a way that’s sustainable for both the human and the animal.
Clear, Humane Boundaries
Humane support includes structure, clarity, and thoughtful limits. Animals and people both do better when expectations are understandable and decisions are intentional. My work supports clear communication, consistent responses, and boundaries that protect well-being on both sides of the relationship. Compassion and responsibility aren’t opposites—they work best together.
How Did I Get Here?
1
Bachelor's in Animal Science
My formal education provided a scientific framework for understanding behavior, grounded in both theory and applied learning. This foundation continues to shape how I interpret behavior, and I plan to build on it through ongoing education.
2
Clinical and Operational Perspectives
Working in clinical and boarding settings exposed me to different forms of stress in animals and the role that handling, structure, and boundaries can play in reducing it. This period shaped my understanding of how environment and expectations directly affect both behavior and well-being.
3
Shelter Work
While working in shelters I worked in behavior assessment and training while caring for a high volume of animals. Due to limited resources and varying levels of severity in behavioral concerns, I saw the negative impact that uneven access to behavior education and support has on both animals and people.
4
Current Practice
Today, I consult with dog and cat guardians using a holistic approach that integrates science, experience, and real-life constraints. My work focuses on improving access to clear, humane behavior guidance that helps people and animals live together more successfully at home.
How Do I Work?
1
Expand the Full Picture:
Before the consultation, clients will complete a detailed questionnaire and upload relevant videos. Together, we will use follow-up questions to clarify context and fill in gaps. This step ensures we’re working from a complete, accurate understanding of the situation.
2
​Interpret What’s Happening:
Once the context is clear, I will focus on interpreting the behavior itself. This includes identifying what could be contributing to the behavior, reviewing any videos included in their questionnaire, and talking through different scenarios. My role here is to translate behavior into clear explanations so clients understand why things are happening, not just what they’re seeing.
3
​Decide What Matters Most:
Not every issue needs to be addressed at once. Together, we will identify priorities based on impact, feasibility, and capacity. This step is about making thoughtful decisions—what to focus on now, what can wait, and what tradeoffs make sense—so change feels manageable rather than overwhelming.
4
​Support Change Over Time:
From there, I will support implementation and adjustment. Behavior change is rarely linear, so plans can be revisited and refined as new information emerges. Ongoing support is available for clients who want continued guidance, but the goal is always to build understanding and confidence independently.
Why Virtual Consulting?
Virtual Behavior Consulting
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Allows behavior to be observed in the animal’s normal environment, without adding the variable of a new person in the home that could change said behavior.
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Lets me focus fully on teaching the human—explaining what they’re seeing and how to respond—rather than splitting attention between handling and instruction.
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Often creates a calmer experience for both the guardian and the animal.
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Expands access to high-quality behavior support for people in rural areas, those with mobility or health limitations, or anyone unable to leave home easily.
In-Person Training
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Particularly effective for teaching complex, hands-on skills
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Often a better fit for job-specific training, sports, or performance-based work
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Allows for direct physical setup and in-the-moment handling when those elements are central to the goal
How to Think About the Difference
Virtual consulting isn’t about doing more. It’s about seeing more clearly and making better decisions. For guardians focused on understanding behavior, improving follow-through at home, and reducing unnecessary stress, virtual support often fits their situation better. If you’re unsure which format makes the most sense for your goals, we can talk that through together.
