Sadhana- Owner & Trainer
My interest in animal care started when I was very young- around 10 years old.
As part of my annual summer activities growing up I attended Zoo Camp in my hometown in Massachusetts. From there my passion grew exponentially. I volunteered at shelters, rescue organizations, and a few local kennels where I took my first steps in learning the basics in caring for an assortment of animals both domestic & exotic. I was fortunate to have an opportunity to study at a Wolf Sanctuary where I had previously visited during a camp excursion. This is what started my career focus on Canine Behavior, pack mentality, social behavior, aggression, body language and Canine psychology.
I continued to study Biology & Animal Sciences in college, but when I got my first job at a doggy daycare, it wasn’t long before I was promoted to a Team Lead. My boss at the time was an accredited dog trainer and offered a rewarding experience and starting point in the basics of dog training. For the first time, I had my own clients and started grooming.
I have solidified my style and methods through aggression seminars, behavior courses, and collaboration with multiple trainers throughout my career. I developed and honed my talents primarily through hands-on experience, rather than classroom-style learning. Hands on experience is a crucial component in successful dog training & behavior modification because active learning leads to active training.
I’ve spent a lifetime growing my expertise, reputation, client base and knowledge. Since 2018 I have been working with renowned trainer John Gagnon at the Pet Resort he built from the ground up in Colchester, CT.
Today, I run and manage the daycare department at that same Pet Resort on top of owning and operating Bark & Beyond. One of the best parts about managing a doggy daycare as a trainer, is that I am able to use controlled socialization as a method for behavior modification. It is a unique service that I plan to continue to build.
I’ve helped countless families with dogs that have started out reactive, fearful, anxious and even aggressive. Additionally, I’ve worked with several pet care facilities, teaching them the ins & outs of the pet care and handling side of the business. My clients mean the world to me and I’m proud to show my dedication and devotion to this line of work.
Bark & Beyond’s Training Style
Impeccable communication is one of the most important qualities to have as a trainer & as a business owner. When it comes to training there is so much information out there and a lot of conflicting opinions between different trainers. I pride myself on my ability to be open, honest and straightforward.
My method & style of training is called BALANCED which means I will use every training tool. There isn’t a tool out there that I wouldn’t consider using if it were beneficial to the dog and applicable to their owner’s lifestyle. A Labrador living on the 4th floor of an apartment building may have a different behavior modification plan than a border collie on 5 acres of land. I work hand in hand with each client to come up with solutions that work with them as well as for their dog.
Some trainers advertise “Fear Free” , “Force Free” or “Positive Only” Training. In my experience, those terms are “buzzwords” that inhibit the success of a wide range of dogs and aren’t mutually exclusive to what those trainers would define as “positive” dog training. BALANCED dog training is truer to what science has shown us, which is that dogs have their own unique style of communication and correction. In a pack setting or one-on-one, dogs will use physical force and teeth to teach each other in order to maintain balance and enforce appropriate behavior.
Dogs have instinctual knowledge ingrained in their DNA that drives a lot of their behaviors and characteristics. I emphasize teaching dogs the way dogs learn and teach each other naturally. That means utilizing a lot of non-verbal teaching while replacing common redirection techniques with BODY LANGUAGE mixed with training tools. In all of my training lessons & seminars I teach families & staff how to safely and appropriately combine these methods to achieve their goals. The best part about my training? It’s easy for people of all ages to learn and implement!
Our job as animal care professionals and behaviorists is to recognize that our pets are animals first, so we can maintain their place as beloved members of our family.
