I was raised on a small hobby farm, where my early education was shaped by the care of a wide variety of animals—farm dogs, barn cats, goats, cows, rabbits, pigs, and more. My childhood was steeped in hands-on animal husbandry, enriched by years of participation in 4-H and FFA. By my teenage years, I had developed and managed a successful show goat breeding program, laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to animal care.

At age 11, a stray Border Collie mix named Lucky changed the course of my life. Enrolled in our first obedience class, I quickly discovered that traditional, compulsive methods didn’t sit right with me. Even then, I instinctively leaned toward reward-based training. With a pocket full of treats and a deep bond with Lucky, we became the standouts of our class. At home, I taught him an array of complex tricks—from pulling a wagon to balancing on my bicycle's handlebars—further igniting my love for training.

At 15, I purchased my first horse—a pregnant, unhandled Arabian mare—and immersed myself in the study of breeding, imprinting, and behavior. I successfully guided her through foaling and raised the filly myself, developing a compassionate, relationship-based training philosophy. Over the years, I trained and competed with a variety of horses, including a barrel horse, a Thoroughbred off the track, and a Clydesdale. When my first horse went blind overnight, I dove even deeper into alternative methods of communication and discovered clicker training, which forever changed my approach—not just with horses, but with every species I worked with.

My professional dog training journey began in college. I purchased a working-line Border Collie puppy and began exploring therapy work and competitive dog sports. That dog’s intense reactivity pushed me to study behavior modification and learning theory. The work paid off: we not only overcame his issues, but he also went on to become a certified therapy dog. That success launched my part-time business, and client referrals quickly followed—first from the veterinary clinic where I worked, then from local training groups and shelters.

Since then, I’ve worked professionally in a wide variety of roles: veterinary technician, municipal animal control trainer, and animal handler at the Texas State Aquarium, where I trained everything from sea turtles to birds of prey. I've taught dogs and other animals for film and commercial work, and in 2020, my British Shorthair cats earned their Advanced Trick Cat titles and made their television debut on Cartoon Network. 

But my passion lies with dogs. I am a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI), former Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), and an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. I’ve trained dogs in obedience, animal-assisted therapy, trick training, behavior modification, scent work, rally, agility, dock diving, lure coursing, freestyle dance, and more. I take a practical, individualized approach to training, with a strong foundation in positive reinforcement and a working knowledge of many different methods, from play training to balanced and everything in between. My training philosophy is constantly evolving and draws from a broad spectrum of influences—ranging from Emily Larlham, Jean Donaldson, and Denise Fenzi to Ivan Balabanov and Nino Drowaert.

My current dogs are Belgian Malinois—a breed I fell in love with for their intensity, intelligence, and work ethic. I own and breed high-drive, sport- and working-line Malinois under the Faubion Malinois name. My dogs train and compete in several sports, including protection/bitesport. I also train in explosives detection, adding another layer of specialized skill to my repertoire. I emphasize balanced social structure, clear communication, and mental resilience in both my breeding and training programs.

Today, Stay Positive Animal Training is celebrating nearly 15 years of helping animals and their people thrive. My approach is rooted in experience, scientific understanding, and a deep respect for each animal as an individual. While I continue to enjoy working with a variety of species—including cats, reptiles, birds, and horses—my primary mission is to serve the dog community through effective, thoughtful, and results-driven methods. Whether you’re a new puppy owner, frustrated with a behavioral issue, or wanting to start dog sports, I look forward to helping you unlock your dog’s potential while building lasting trust and connection.