I didn’t set out to become a dog trainer. I just knew I wanted more than a cookie-cutter job. When I started working at a pet nutrition store, I learned a lot—especially how little most of us really know about what goes into our dogs’ food. But every week, a dog trainer would come in to lead group classes, and I found myself watching her more than doing my job. That’s when I knew I wanted to be on the training side of things. I enrolled in Animal Behavior College and left the store for a job at a dog daycare. That eventually led me to a professional training facility where I could learn hands-on while finishing school. The whole transition felt natural—like I’d finally landed where I was meant to be. One moment that really confirmed it for me was helping a friend whose aggressive dog had attacked another one of her dogs—even after an expensive board-and-train program. She reached out, desperate, ready to give him up. I offered to help for free. We worked together, and not only did she keep him—he’s thriving now. That experience showed me how powerful empathy and the right guidance can be. I founded Forever 1 Dog Training to give families the support I wish more people had access to—especially those doing the best they can on limited means. I grew up living less than paycheck to paycheck—hell, I’m still struggling. But I believe every dog deserves a chance to stay with their family—their forever one—and I’m here to help make that happen.