About Me
As a "military brat" born in Oslo, Norway, I spent my childhood moving around the globe until my father retired from the Air Force. I chose to follow in his footsteps, and served 20 years in the Air Force as a German and Russian Linguist/Translator. In 2000, I retired in Germany, earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in German from the University of Maryland, and worked in various teaching and administrative positions in Belgium, California, Hawaii, and El Paso.Since retiring, I have actively pursued my decade-long dream of working with and training dogs. I worked as a volunteer dog-walker at the Hawaiian Humane Society in 2005, during which time I gained valuable experience handling over 100 different dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments, from Beagle to Pit Bull to Doberman Pinscher. Since establishing Heeling Hounds in July 2008, I have helped over 150 El Paso families solve behavior modification issues and succeed with obedience training their dogs. I credit successfully training and interacting with over 300 canines to applying what I have learned about dog psychology, behavior, and communication from trainers and authors such as Dr. Stanley Coren, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Steve Duno, Tamar Geller, Martha Hoffman, Matty Margolis, Shelby Marlo, Dr. Patricia McConnell, Cesar Millan, Paul Owens, Turid Rugaas, Victoria Stilwell, and Nicole Wilde.
I was accepted as an Associate Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals in April 2008, and am also a Full Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. I serve as a Mentor Trainer for the Animal Behaviour College, and have been selected to help train a service dog for the North Star Foundation. My husband and I currently live with two adopted Husky-mixes and a Malamute, as well as two cats who are convinced they're the Alpha Pack Leaders of the household.