They say time flies when you’re having fun, and that must be true. After all, I spend most of my days with dogs and the time certainly does fly by. And yes — people comment all the time that I have the most fun job in the world. 

They aren’t wrong.

If you had told me when I was neck deep in my role in the United States Air Force, or even during my nursing days, that I would get to live life this way — building a business entirely focused on dogs and “teaching humans to speak dog,” I would have never believed it.

But here I am. Two years in, and loving every minute of it.

It wasn’t just a love for dogs though that compelled me into this industry. It was my personal experience — the heartbreak of having dogs that I couldn’t seem to help… The countless hours wondering what they were thinking…. Wondering what I should do differently…. Trying new things…. Researching options from experts with opposite opinions…. 

I had one dog with severe anxiety, for whom the slightest interruption could derail him. He was terrified of everything. And then, I had another who, for unknown reasons (at the time), began exhibiting aggressive behavior, turning her into a liability. Two ends of the emotional spectrum with my dogs and I was in the middle of a losing game of tug of war. I spent a fortune on training that did not produce lasting results in either of them.

I knew there had to be a better option. An option that addressed the common issues, but an option that could be tailored and customized for their unique needs.

So after retiring from a 20-year career in the military, I decided to go back to school…. To learn to speak dog. 

After graduating from Highland Canine School for Dog Trainers in December 2023 — I took a gigantic leap of faith and started Crown Jewel K9 in January 2024. As a newly graduated dog trainer, I was determined to help as many dogs and families as possible…. To help them navigate relationships where the only common language is love. To help them communicate with their dogs, learn to love through leadership, and strengthen the bond and mutual respect between human and animal. 

In two years, I’ve helped 80 dogs and families and have even brought in a second trainer, Grace Carter, who shares my passion and vision for supporting dogs through our own unique brand of training. These two years have given me so much joy and I’m so thankful for the people and families who entrust me to come into their home and teach them and their dogs how to make the most of life together. I’m thankful that when I leave – they have the confidence to keep growing with their dog and do not feel the same kind of hopelessness I felt over mine.

While my education prepared me with all the ins and outs of commands and behavioral modification — the biggest surprise in my time as a dog trainer is how bittersweet graduation is…. It’s always rewarding to watch a dog go from a “diamond in the ruff” to a “crown jewel,” but to end the training and say “good bye” takes an emotional toll. My clients know that I love progress reports and always welcome pictures, videos, and updates from my students. 

As I reflect on the last two years, I can’t help but also ponder the years ahead. Exciting things are on the horizon at Crown Jewel K9! Some I can share but others – we’ll talk about them later. But growth is coming and with that growth, more opportunity to do what I love doing – teaching humans to speak dog…. One crown jewel at a time.