Growing up in the Midwest and Southern California I had many furry friends to share my life with. I have always had an innate fondness of animals. My interest in behavior has carried through my whole life from childhood to graduate school. Animal behavior is also a family affair, as my Father and Step-mother train their German Short hair Pointers to run in field hunting trials as well as competing them in conformation.

My journey to the Palouse started when I entered graduate school at Washington State University. I graduated in 2005 with a M.S. in entomology (bugs). Yes, this seems a bit odd for a dog trainer to also be a bug nerd, however my interests where actually in behavior and interactions between organisms. Currently I am a technician and a Ph.D. student at the University of Idaho in the neuroscience division. I study a variety of behaviors in mice and how they are controlled by the brain.

In addition to my job at the University of Idaho I am also an adjunct employee at Alpine Animal Hospital. I teach most of my classes at the clinic and collaborate with the resident veterinarians on behavioral cases. I have worked as a technician at Alpine and have always enjoyed the working with the doctors. I am very happy to be able to offer my classes through the clinic..

I currently live in Albion, which is right outside of Pullman, and if you blink you'll miss it. I really like the peace and quiet that Albion affords, as well as the many friends that live near to me. Albion is a unique town in which I believe well over 70% of the residents have at least one dog. That's right, it's a dog loving community, just the place for an animal trainer and dog lover. In Albion I share my house with two dogs and a few cats.