Sydney's unwavering dedication to animals spans over a decade of experience in various animal-related fields, including pet care, doggie daycare’s, animal shelters, horse stables, veterinary clinics, and an ADI-accredited school. Her lifelong passion for working with animals led her to attain numerous training certifications and establish Happy Leashes.

Founded out of a deep love for animals, Happy Leashes was born with the mission to promote evidence based, force-free training methods and spread the message of positive reinforcement.

As the Owner of Happy Leashes, Sydney prioritizes continuous education and upholds the standards set by veterinary behavior professionals and leading animal behavior experts. By implementing our training programs, we empower you to build a truly lasting and harmonious relationship with your pet.

Sydney's commitment to excellence is exemplified by her graduation from the prestigious Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Behavior (KPA-CTP). As a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG), and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) she strives to adopt and implement the latest information into training. As a Fear-Free Dog Trainer and an AKC Good Citizen Evaluator Sydney stays at the forefront of industry best practices and developments.

Furthermore, Sydney's dedication to animal behavior extends beyond pet training. She specialized in training and integrating service dogs for veterans and military families at Southeastern Guide Dogs, an ADI accredited guide and service dog school in Palmetto, Florida. Now, Sydney is excited to re-focus her expertise training your pets.

When Sydney isn't passionately training your beloved pets, she shares her life with her husband, two dogs, and two cats of her own: Tucker, Maggie, Guinness, and “Little Kitty” . Each of them possesses their own delightful quirks that we adore.

Join Sydney and the Happy Leashes team on a transformative journey to unlock your pet's full potential and create a profound bond that will enrich both of your lives forever!

Caitlin Hogan, CPDT-KA, BA in Animal Studies and Psychology, AKC Evaluator, Fear Free Certified

Rachel Traubert, CPDT-KA, BA in Animal Studies, Family Dog Mediator, Fear Free Certified, AKC Evaluator

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. Alongside my work with dogs, I’ve also gained experience working with wildlife, including bears, tigers, lemurs, wolves, and exotic birds.

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.
My goal is to help pet parents live a happy and healthy life, both mentally and physically, with their dogs.

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.