Service Dog Training

Jennifer has been surrounded by animals since she was a young child. She has always had at least one dog at her side, and has been active in training since before she was 10. Dogs have been Jennifer's constant companions; just as she has seen many a stray or shelter dog through fear and reactivity issues, they have seen her through hard times, too. Jennifer has led a number of her personal dogs through obedience and agility training and competitions. In 2008, Jennifer started actively volunteering, training and working with service dog organizations. Jennifer has witnessed firsthand the amazing difference well-trained dogs can make in the lives of veterans, other adults, and children with physical, emotional, or psychological challenges. She is driven to help as many people and dogs as possible experience this transformation. This goal led Jennifer to take steps toward becoming a professional dog trainer. Jennifer is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CDPT-KA), a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP), a certified Diabetes Alert Dog Trainer, an Atlas Assistance Dogs Certified Trainer (Atlas CT), a Certified Behavioral Adjustment Training Instructor (CBATI) and a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator. In 2013, Jennifer opened the Compass Key branch, in Seattle, Washington. She is the Director of Training for Compass Key, guiding training methods and approaches to ensure the most up-to-date scientific and positive methods are always in use. In 2015, Jennifer co-founded Atlas Assistance Dogs. She is an active board member and responsible for overseeing their trainer certification program. Among other things, Atlas provides certification for people with privately owned dogs who wish to be part of their dog's training. Jennifer is an active volunteer at the Seattle Animal Shelter as an advanced dog walker and foster program trainer and case manager.She is always on the quest for new knowledge, skills, and perspective in the name of advancing positive and successful dog training techniques. Jennifer focuses just as much on the people side of the relationship as on the animal side, always looking to strengthen the amazing bond between the species.