FOUNDER & CERTIFIED TRAINER

Hi! I’m Sydney, a KPA-CTP certified dog trainer, I bring over a decade of passion and experience to my work with animals. My journey began in various animal-related fields, including horse stables, veterinary clinics, and animal shelters, extending to training service dogs for veterans with post-traumatic stress and working with more challenging behavior cases.

Since 2018, I have called Saint Petersburg home, marking the longest I have ever lived in one spot—a testament to my love for the city! Growing up as a "Navy brat," I moved every two to three years during my childhood. Throughout each relocation, my animals remained a constant. It was this unwavering love for my pets that fueled my desire to dedicate my life to learning how to help them. When I discovered animal training, it felt like a puzzle piece fitting into place, and I knew it was her calling.

My training journey took a significant turn when she discovered clicker training and positive reinforcement methods while taking a puppy class in Denver, Colorado. This discovery propelled me into a continuous pursuit of knowledge on compassionate and efficient animal training, a departure from the training methods I grew up seeing on TV.

Committed to ongoing education, I have developed expertise in addressing behavioral concerns, aiming to restore peace and harmony to the lives of both dogs and their families. I particularly enjoys working with puppies, dogs struggling to walk nicely on leash, and finding ways to make training accessible for all people. My professional affiliations include :

Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)

Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)

Fear-Free Certified Professional

Pet Professional Guild Professional Member

AKC Certified Evaluator.

Beyond the world of dog training, I immerse myself in reading, painting, and enjoying sunsets at Passe-a-Grille beach. I share my life with my husband and our two canine companions- Maggie (an Australian Shepherd-Chihuahua-Beagle-Newfoundland mix), and Tucker (a Shih-Tzu-Chihuahua-Dachshund mix). I also have two cats, who act just like dogs, named Little Kitty (aka Tomas), a black cat, and Guinness, a tabby. Looking ahead, I envision expanding my training expertise to include horses, with hopes to adopt one in the coming years.

CERTIFIED TRAINER

Hello! I’m Caitlin, one of your Happy Leashes trainers. I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed. I am also Fear Free Certified and an AKC evaluator. I hold a BA in both Animals Studies and Psychology from Eckerd College. With over 6 years working in the animal industry, I began my formal career with dogs working for various hotels in New York City as a dog walker and sitter. Since then, I have gained a multitude of dog training experience through my internships at New Dawn Animal Behavior Center and SPCA Tampa Bay, as well as by attending both in-person and virtual seminars on canine behavior, neuroscience, and training. I also have extensive and personal experience working with high energy breeds, reactivity and anxiousness.

I currently have two dogs: my Whippet, BMO, and my Border Collie Whippet mix, Razzmatazz! BMO and I compete in a multitude of sports and I’m hoping as Razz grows up that she will be soon to join. My dogs push me to learn more and continue my education. I strive to give them choice in their lives as well as keeping both their bodies and minds well enriched.

At Happy Leashes, my goal is to help dogs and their family succeed by creating fun, play-based training solutions uniquely designed to meet the needs of each dog. I’m here to help both you and your dog thrive and I am committed to ongoing education in this ever-evolving field!

Specializes in : Sighthounds, dog sports, puppy training

CERTIFIED TRAINER

Hello! I’m Rachel, one of the trainers here at Happy Leashes. I hold a BA in Animal Studies from Eckerd College, with minors in Biology and Psychology. I am also a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), a Family Dog Mediator, Fear-Free Certified, and have completed The Aggressive Dog Course for professionals. With over five years of experience in the animal industry, I have worked extensively with dogs in various settings, including private training and shelters. My shelter experience has given me a deep understanding of animal behavior and welfare, especially for rescue dogs. I’ve had the opportunity to develop training programs for a variety of behavioral concerns, helping clients build positive relationships with their pets.

Currently, I have two dogs: my Bichon, Snow, and my rescue Pitty/Husky mix, Pocah. They are both such enjoyable companions and are actively involved in ongoing learning and training, which keeps our bond strong and their minds engaged. At Happy Leashes, my goal is to create humane training solutions that meet the unique needs of each dog and their family, ensuring a harmonious and balanced life for everyone involved.