Paula began her training journey very early on in life. At the tender age of 15 in 2002 the German Shepherd Rescue she volunteered for as a teenager guided her in the direction of her mentor Teresa Gray (now 20 years in mentorship), when her adopted GSD Zoey started displaying some concerning behaviors. One year later...Paula was hooked! Zoey went on to become a therapy, obedience and dock diving dog, she passed away in 2008 but her memory will live on in the work that Paula continues today in her love for dogs, training, and ensuring sound companions for her clients. In 2007 Paula completed her internship and obtained her certification as a Behavior Modification Specialist, she specializes in handling clients that have issues with aggression, anxiety and health related behavioral issues. In 2007 she obtained her AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator Certification and has been certified to test dogs for CGC, CGCA, CGCU and STAR Puppy for the last 13 years. In 2009 Paula obtained her Evaluator Certification for Therapy Dog's Institute, she is certified to administer therapy certification and also to teach other trainers how to apply methods in order to become certified. Paula is currently competing with her female German Shepherd Arli in PSA (Protection Sports Association) to obtain her PDC hopefully by the fall of 2023. Paula's other dogs include Pepe a Cane Corso who also trains in PSA and obtained his PDC in October of 2022, and Raven a French Bulldog who is an AKC conformation show dog and companion to her children Conner and Olivia. Paula served in the United States Marine Corps from 2007-2015. She was stationed in North Carolina, Virginia, Washington DC and Zagreb, Croatia. 

Current Certification and Seminar Work:

Johnathan Katz Working & Sport Decoy Seminar

Dave Papalardo Working & Sport Decoy Seminar 

Eric Stanboro E-Collar Training Seminar (December 2022)

Behavior Modification Specialist (Certified in 2007, Recertified 2017)

AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator (2007) Recertification every 2 years