MEET THE PACK

My teaching dogs (and often my Vacation Boarding and Board'n'Train guests) accompany me to every lesson and every class. They don’t just demonstrate what’s possible; they actively help teach you and your dog through their presence, their body language, and their example.

This page is a chance to meet me, my working dogs, and a few of the unforgettable animals from my past who shaped the trainer - and person - I’ve become. Welcome to the pack!

Hi, I'm Jaye :)

I absolutely love working with animals and the people who love them. My very first job, at 11 years old, was helping run a horseback riding summer camp for kids even younger than me! That early spark became a lifelong passion for the human-animal bond, which has shaped both my personal and professional life ever since.

Over the years, I’ve worked in nearly every corner of the dog world: veterinary technician, doggy daycare supervisor, shelter support, kennel staff, dog walker, grooming assistant, and trainer. I apprenticed for years under master canine behaviorists and highly competitive dog sport trainers. I’ve served as Vice President of the Charles River Dog Training Club (one of the oldest obedience clubs in the country) and assisted with puppy-raising classes for volunteers raising prospective dogs for Canine Companions (the largest service dog nonprofit in the U.S.) As of August 2025, I'm currently in the process of becoming certified as a Therapy Animal Evaluator for Pet Partners - the largest and most rigorous therapy animal certifying body in the nation.

My training style is grounded in science and fortified with experience.

It reflects a lifetime of living and working with animals, but especially dogs, personally, professionally, and academically. I believe in evidence-based methods, clear communication, safety, and joy. I’m endlessly curious and always learning, in tireless pursuit of continuing education in dog sports, canine ethology, behavioral psychology, learning theory, evolutionary biology, and more.

That same passion for relationship, healing, and connection eventually led me to earn my Master of Clinical Social Work from Boston University. I now work full-time as a LCSW (human!) psychotherapist, specializing in couples therapy, executive functioning, animal-assisted interventions (AAI), and issues in aging. My research continues to focus on the human-animal bond: I believe attachment theory may be the mechanism through which AAIs create real therapeutic change (PhD thesis incoming - stay tuned!)

As for WWAGD? It continues to be my heart project. I still teach dog training because I love it. Because the magic of helping dogs and their humans grow together is something I’ll always return to. So, even though I don’t have to, I teach for the joy of it.

When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me curled up in a hammock with a fantasy novel (Mercedes Lackey fans, anyone?), throwing pots on the wheel in my basement ceramics studio, or tending to my ever-expanding edible landscape garden projects.

A RECIPE THAT WORKS:
TEAM DOGGO

My working dogs, Kerbal and Evie, go just about everywhere with me. They're not only my co-pilots in life, but also my assistant teachers - always ready to demonstrate skills, work with a student, or model what trust and teamwork can look like between a dog and their person. They’re my proof of concept and more: they're my daily inspiration and reminders that good training is as much about relationship and way of being as it is about mechanics.

Kerbal, C.E.o.

(Corgi Executive Officer)

Kerbal is a 12-year-old Cardigan Welsh Corgi who has truly been there, done that. He’s hiked mountains, camped under the stars, kayaked, braved subway systems, strolled through big cities, flown on airplanes, and even lived with me in Italy for a while.

Years ago, he worked in public as my own service dog, performing trained tasks that supported me through some of the hardest chapters of my life. Kerbal’s favorite kind of training is “literally anything." He’s one of those diehard BALL IS LIFE dogs, and he is total focus and commitment when there’s work to be done.

These days, Kerbal is mostly retired. He holds things down at home, but you might still spot him in the occasional lesson, offering wisdom and wags. He’s my soul-dog, my thesis in fur form, and my boy.

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EVIE, C.O.O.

(Chief Of Om-noms)

Evie is a 3-year-old Australian Shepherd who loves to work hard and loves to play even harder. She’s sharp, observant, and endlessly intuitive, with a natural gift for reading human emotional states as well as other dogs. Whether it’s time to sniff, play bow, cuddle, or give space, Evie knows just what to do, making her an invaluable partner in classes and lessons. Evie's specialty is helping me with angry dogs: she simply never takes it personally. Evie also works part-time as my current service dog, supporting me even in public and assisting me with her trained tasks when I experience medical flare ups.

Like Kerbal, she’s been everywhere (even Italy!) and she’s a beautiful example of what it looks like to raise and train a dog with clarity and mutual trust. These days, Evie is all about swimming, and we’ve recently started Dock Diving: a sport where dogs launch themselves off a dock into the water in joyful pursuit of their prize. Evie is my heart-dog; her sweet smile and love of life bring the sun wherever she goes.

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MY OTHER TEACHERS

Here are just some of the other amazing creatures I’ve shared my life with and who have each taught me unforgettable lessons…

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MANGO

Mango, a maroon-bellied conure, was my first animal companion after graduating college back when I lived in a city apartment where dogs weren’t allowed. Using similar techniques to how I now work with dogs, Mango had a huge library of tricks: he could spread his wings, shake your hand with his foot, target touch with his beak, and do flips (his absolute favorite) - all on cue.

You might notice that Mango looked a little scruffy around the edges. He contracted a virus early in life that affected his feathers and overall health. I supported him with fresh homemade meals, supplemented his diet with specialized bird nutrition, and even made him tiny sweaters from baby socks to keep him warm and cozy. Mango loved to snuggle (yes, really), and he was always eager to train, learn, and hang out.

Mango taught me...

If you understand behavior and learning theory, you can bridge any communication gap, even with a totally different species! Being avian, he saw and experienced the world in a totally different way than us mammals do. Our foundation was our bond.

Fluffy dog sitting on a street in Vietnam

A Golden Retriever traveling with his owner to Hoi An, Vietnam

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CHICKADEE

When I first met Chickadee, she was a wild thing: scared, scrappy, and unsure of the world. Originally a street dog in Puerto Rico, she’d been trapped by a U.S.-based rescue and adopted out to a well-meaning family who quickly realized they were in over their heads. They started training with me and made some progress, but it wasn’t fast enough. Not long after, they made the heartbreaking decision to surrender her.

Chickadee was so sweet and misunderstood that I couldn’t stand by, so I took her in myself. She came with a history of biting and a deep, panicked fear of crates. But within a short time, she was thriving: assisting in my training classes, best friends with my roommate’s cat, and showing the world just how much heart she had. Eventually, she found her perfect forever home: a couple with two young children who absolutely fell in love with her.

Chickadee taught me...

Any dog, no matter how they started out in life, can reach their potential if you just know how to answer their questions. Chickadee was afraid and confused, and she needed someone calm and confident to help her feel safe in the world. Once I worked with her in a way that she understood, the sky was the limit!

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SOUP & CRACKERS

– and panda, too

I was raised by a pair of Rottweilers, Soup and Crackers - who I clearly named myself. These two lovable knuckleheads were the original nanny dogs: gentle, watchful, and endlessly patient. They kept a close eye on me as I toddled around the house, always ready with a big head nuzzle or a reassuring lick. It’s no wonder I feel so comfortable working with large breeds: my earliest memories include dogs who could fit my whole head in their mouths and still be the sweetest companions around.

Panda was a little black-and-white Shih Tzu and my constant childhood companion. I’d lure him with cookies to perform little tricks, completely captivated by how much he could learn and how much fun we could have together. He loved water and would try to jump into the bath with me every chance he got. True to his breed, he was a total snuggle bug, happiest curled up in a lap or stealing all the attention in the room. Panda was the first dog who taught me that tiny dogs can have giant personalities, and that even a child can build a bond rooted in trust, curiosity, and joy.

…To the countless dogs who have been a part of my life through teaching and all of my dog jobs: May your walks be long, may your bellies be scratched, and may the hot dogs always flow freely.

…To all of the creatures big and small – furry, hairy, scaly, and smooth – who have made me who I am. To Frosty, Monroe, Ebony, Kodi, and more. You taught me everything.