
Dog Walking Academy
Meet our world-class faculty
dogbiz Dog Walking Academy faculty are:

Highly experienced, credentialed dog trainers
Our instructors are top dog trainers with many years’ experience to back up their topnotch schooling credentials. They’re ready to answer any dog behavior questions you may have, and to help you troubleshoot issues you’re seeing on your walks.
Why have dog trainers teach a dog walking program?
All dog trainers have dog walking experience, but most dog walkers aren’t exposed to the most up-to-date dog training and behavior knowledge and skills. Professional dog walkers well versed in canine learning theory, body language, basic training, and walk management are better prepared to understand and address dog behavior. And that means safer, easier, more enjoyable walks for dogs and walker alike. And with trainers instructing class, your “Why does he do that? And what do I do about it?” questions are easily answered.

Engaging instructors
Regardless of the course location you choose or whether you take our online program, you’ll enjoy engaging instructors skilled at sharing ideas, building new skills, and keeping the pace moving right along.

People-friendly teachers
Our instructors have excellent credentials, experience, knowledge, and skills. But to share all of that requires a human connection. That’s why we seek supportive, down-to-earth instructors who enjoy teaching people as much as dogs, and who love giving back by helping others pursue a living doing what they love.

Dog Walking Academy Support Staff

Deborsha Lashway
Client Support & Operations
Manager, Organizational Goddess, Glue
Deborsha Lashway
Client Support & Operations Manager, Organizational Goddess, Glue
Deborsha, our Client Support & Operations Manager, is Awesomeness Incarnate and the glue that keeps dogbiz together and allows us all to do what we do. She’s the first point of contact for new clients and students and has a raving fan club among them. (Clients often tell us they wish they could find their own Deborsha, but we guard her like a hungry dog with a pig’s ear.)
Deborsha wears multiple hats within the company, running everything from customer support to billing and accounts to order fulfillment to overseeing the daily operations of the Dog Walking Academy and Newsletter Service programs. She is, in other words, indispensable (and thus our understandable resource guarding behavior).
Before joining dogbiz, Deborsha held administration management positions in the health-care industry.
Fun Fact: Deborsha somehow fits in time for multiple hobbies, including gardening, tending her chickens, and playing board games. Oh, and she’s a blue belt in Tai Kwon Do, too.

Online DWA Faculty

Veronica Boutelle
MA Ed., CTC
Founder, Consultant Lead,
DWA Director
Veronica Boutelle, MA Ed., CTC
Founder, Consultant Lead, DWA Director
Veronica is the former Director of Behavior & Training for the San Francisco SPCA. She has been helping dog professionals create their dream businesses through dogbiz since 2003.
Veronica is the author of How to Run a Dog Business and The Business of Dog Walking, the co-author of Minding Your Dog Business, and writes for multiple industry journals, including regular business columns in PPG’s Barks from the Guild and APDT’s Chronicle of the Dog. She is a sought-after speaker at conferences and dog training schools across the country and internationally, teaching R+ dog pros how to help more dogs in countries ranging from North America to South America, Europe to Down Under.
Veronica has made good use of her previous career as a classroom teacher, teacher educator, and curriculum developer to bring more effective curriculum and instructional strategies to group dog training classes.
Fun Fact: Veronica grows much of her own food and is rarely seen at home without dirt under her fingernails.

In-Person DWA Faculty

Josh Boutelle
CPDT-KA
Oakland & San Francisco, CA
Josh Boutelle, CPDT-KA
Oakland, CA
Josh has an extensive career in training and walking dogs and enjoys helping dogs and their people live happier lives, as well as contributing to the professional development of fellow dog professionals. He is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, and a graduate of the Dog Training Internship Academy, a rigorous 6-month program focusing on canine behavior, behavior modification, and an evidence-based approach to dog training. Josh owns City Pups SF, a successful dog walking and training company in San Francisco.
Fun Fact: Josh started his dog career early, spending summer vacations as a kid volunteering at the San Francisco SPCA, where he was more or less adopted by the Behavior & Training department.

Veronica Boutelle
MA Ed., CTC
Oakland & San Francisco, CA
Veronica Boutelle, MA Ed., CTC
Founder, Consultant Lead, DWA Director
Veronica is the former Director of Behavior & Training for the San Francisco SPCA. She has been helping dog professionals create their dream businesses through dogbiz since 2003.
Veronica is the author of How to Run a Dog Business and The Business of Dog Walking, the co-author of Minding Your Dog Business, and writes for multiple industry journals, including regular business columns in PPG’s Barks from the Guild and APDT’s Chronicle of the Dog. She is a sought-after speaker at conferences and dog training schools across the country and internationally, teaching R+ dog pros how to help more dogs in countries ranging from North America to South America, Europe to Down Under.
Veronica has made good use of her previous career as a classroom teacher, teacher educator, and curriculum developer to bring more effective curriculum and instructional strategies to group dog training classes.
Fun Fact: Veronica grows much of her own food and is rarely seen at home without dirt under her fingernails.

Stacy Braslau-Schneck
MA CPDT-KA CBCC-KA CAP2
Silicon Valley, CA
Stacy Braslau-Schneck, MA CPDT-KA CBCC-KA CAP2
Silicon Valley, CA
Stacy holds a Master’s degree in the Psychology of Human and Animal Cognition, is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Certified Professional Canine Consultant, and has achieved Kay Lawrence’s Competency Assessment Program Level 2 with distinction. Stacy has been teaching pet owners and fellow dog professionals since 1995, including assisting with the conversion of the San Francisco SPCA public dog training classes to positive reinforcement techniques in 1998, the same year she opened Stacy’s Wag ‘n’ Train to provide private training and group classes in Silicon Valley. Stacy is the author of numerous behavior and training articles and the popular Animal Trainer’s Guide.
Fun Fact: Stacy is a dedicated and talented hula-hooper. She once walked a mile without dropping her hoop.

Brian Burton
CDBC, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP
New York City, NY
Brian Burton, CDBC, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP
New York City, NY
Brian is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), and AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Always learning, Brian is currently a MA Candidate in Animal Behavior & Conservation at Hunter College. He is a professional member of both the APDT and the K-9 Dog Trainers’ Association, and previously served on the IAABC board. Brian co-founded Instinct Dog Training in New York City and focuses his training work on dogs with significant behavior issues, including fear, anxiety, and aggression. He shares his busy home with three Pit Bull mixes and two Rat Terrier mixes.
Fun Fact: Canadian by birth, Brian plays a mean game of ice hockey at the semi-pro level.

Alexis Davison
CPDT-KA, KPA CTP
Australia
Alexis Davison, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP
Alexis is committed to the education and support of fellow dog professionals: She is a Karen Pryor Academy faculty member, charged with teaching the KPA Dog Trainer Professional Program in Australia. She serves as the dogbiz Dog Walking Academy instructor for all of Australia, occasionally offering the program to dog walkers in England and New Zealand as well. She speaks regularly at conferences. And she provides one-on-one support as a dogbiz business consultant.
Alexis is a nationally accredited Dog Behavioral Trainer with a Certificate IV in Dog Behavioral Training in Australia, a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP), and an internationally Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Named 2014 Dog Trainer of the Year by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia, Alexis’ professional memberships also include the American Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the Pet Professional Guild Australia.
Fun Fact: Alexis gets around: 12 months in India, the Himalayas for 2, overland from Delhi to London, Moscow when tanks rolled through the Kremlin, and the Aurora Borealis at the North Pole (barefoot!).

Kelly Elvin
CPDT-KA
Michigan
Kelly Elvin, CPDT-KA
Michigan
Kelly has been coaching clients and their dogs since 2001. She is the founder of TipTopTails Dog Training in Grand Junction, Michigan, where she offers group classes, individual lessons, and behavior modification services. Kelly is a strong believer in positive reinforcement training for dogs and humans and enjoys teaching clients how to train with cooperation instead of confrontation. She loves the moment when the client and the dog “get it” and realize they can communicate effectively. Kelly holds certification from the Certification Council For Professional Dog Trainers, CPDT-KA, has titled a dog in both rally obedience and agility, and currently trains her dogs in agility and nose work.
Fun Fact: Kelly adores British detective fiction. There’s not a Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, or Miss Marple book she hasn’t read.

Matt Elvin
Michigan
Matt Elvin
Michigan
Matt has worked as a certified Missing Animal Response Technician since 2007, including training a dog to scent for missing cats. He studied under Kat Albrecht, founder of Missing Pet Partnership (MPP), and served on MPP’s Board of Directors for three years. Matt furthered his knowledge of animal behavior and training while spending time with Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., CAAB, on safari in Africa and at her farm in Wisconsin. Matt is currently lead instructor for all scent work classes at TipTopTails Dog Training.
Fun Fact: What, being a pet detective isn’t interesting enough? Okay, then: Matt is a devoted live music fan. So much so that he attends an Americana music festival on board a cruise ship every year.

Ruth LaRoque
CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CTC
Seattle, WA
Ruth LaRoque, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CTC
Seattle, WA
An active board member for the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Ruth holds her Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Certified Professional Canine Consultant certifications, Knowledge Assessed. She is a graduate of Jean Donaldson’s Academy for Dog Trainers and a co-instructor for Dr. Susan Friedman’s Living & Learning with Animals course. She has co-owned and operated a dog walking and training business, Seattle Pet Pals, since 2003. Ruth lives with four dogs and competes in agility training with her Border Collie.
Fun Fact: An avid mountain climber, Ruth once temporarily “adopted” a Nepalese village dog, dubbed “Bob,” who joined her trekking team for several days on the way to Mt. Everest base camp.

Laura Sharkey
PhD, KPA-CTP
Laura Sharkey PhD, KPA-CTP
Laura has a PhD in microbiology and immunology from Georgetown University, but left her job as a research scientist in 2002 to open WOOFS! Dog Training Center. There she teaches group training classes, offers private training and behavior modification, and oversees the daycare and boarding services. Laura is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy and makes a point to attend at least one training conference every year in addition to local seminars. She occasionally speaks at them, too. In her “spare” time Laura fosters pregnant moms and their pups, fosters and trains parrots, and clicker trains horses.
Fun Fact: Birds rule the roost in Laura’s home, and her dogs are smart enough to know it.

Laura Monaco Torelli
KPA CTP, CPDT-KA
Chicago, IL
Laura Monaco Torelli, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA
Chicago, IL
Laura began her training career at Chicago’s esteemed Shedd Aquarium, where she trained beluga whales, dolphins, sea and river otters, seals, and penguins. She also trained primates, large cats, birds of prey, kangaroos, giraffes, and red pandas during her time as lead supervisory trainer for the Brookfield Zoo. Laura currently serves as a Karen Pryor Academy faculty member and as Teaching Assistant for Dr. Susan Friedman’s Living & Learning with Animals course. Laura is a regular presenter at professional animal training conferences, including Clicker Expo, the APDT, SVBT, and TAGteach International. She holds her CPDT-KA and is a TAGteach Level 3 instructor. Laura offers private in-home dog training and group classes through her business Animal Behavior Training Concepts in Chicago.
Fun Fact: Laura is an avid scuba diver and worked with Alaskan sea otters rescued from the Exxon Valdeez oil spill.

Barbara Walmer
CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, KPA CTP, ACDBC
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Barbara Walmer, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, KPA CTP, ACDBC
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Barbara has acquired many credentials in her 20 years of training, including: Certified Pet Dog Trainer Knowledge & Skills Assessed, Certified Behaviour Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed, Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner, and Associate Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant. After 16 years leading the Calgary Humane Society’s Behaviour Team, she now focuses on her consulting and training business, Good As Gold Dog Training. In her spare time, Barbara trains and competes with her own dogs in obedience, fieldwork, and agility.
Fun Fact: Barbara got an early start on her dog career. Her first gig was as a veterinary clinic kennel technician and receptionist at age 14. By 16 she was competing in obedience with her Golden Retriever.

Jen Biglan
CDBC, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA
Eugene, OR
Jen Biglan, CDBC, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA
Eugene, OR
Jen is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She’s been training dogs and the people who love them since 2003 when she began her career as Volunteer Coordinator at Oceanside Human Society and served as staff trainer for the San Diego Humane Society. She now makes dogs’ and dog lovers’ lives better through her business the Training Spot, offering private training, behavior consults, and group classes. Jen also gives and hosts frequent lectures for dog owners and dog professionals.
Fun Fact: Having attended all of Bob Bailey’s Chicken Camps, Jen not only now loves chickens as much as dogs, she knows how to train them to run agility courses!

Irith Bloom
CDBC, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA
Los Angeles, CA
Irith Bloom, CDBC, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA
Los Angeles, CA
Irith has been training animals since the 1980s. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania and, a true education junkie, has amassed countless hours of continuing ed in animal training and behavior. Irith serves as faculty at the Victoria Stilwell Dog Training Academy, is a regular speaker at seminars and dog training conferences, and a published author. She serves as Chair of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers Education Committee and is a member of the APDT’s Legislative Task Force. Irith holds multiple credentials, including as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer both knowledge and skills assessed, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, a Victoria Stilwell Professional Dog Trainer, a Certified BAT Instructor, and certified in TAGteach. Irith trains through The Sophisticated Dog, her Los Angeles based dog training company.
Fun Fact: Irith won an international Karaoke competition in Hiroshima, Japan—in Japanese!

What students say about dogbiz DWA faculty

“Engaging, funny, and all around awesome.”
– Gilbert Rodriguez

“It was such a joy learning from you.”
–Susan Pak Eng

“Your professionalism and wealth of knowledge is fantastic.”
–Kellie Bindel

“Informational and engaging.”
–Jessie Lippman

“I am overwhelmingly grateful for your kind treatment and patience with us all and making the whole thing really fun and approachable and engaging.”
–Sarah Michie

“Pat was the instructor and she was so knowledgeable.”
–Jill Merjeski

“I was impressed by the quality of the training and the passion and knowledge of the instructors.”
–Seon Joo Kim

“I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The instructors are highly experienced, intelligent, and comedic women, so the lectures were extremely interesting. And we got a lot of personalized attention, too.”
–Kristin Mahoney