Transformational Testimonial

If you’re on the fence wondering about how working with a professional who is aligned with your values can have a tremendous impact on your life, take a look at how one of my clients shared her experience. Her journey didn’t go as expected or perfectly, but she showed up and took each moment to understand herself, so she can show up for her dogs in an authentic way.

“I initially met with Katherine regarding a foster dog in my care. I wanted to address some basic training needs, but also because I had observed her having aggression toward other dogs.

“I experienced a great deal in working with Katherine. It was supportive and reflective. She challenged me to explore many creative ways to work with my dogs in a loving and supportive way to meet their needs. She also challenged me personally to explore my inner feelings, observations and reactions to the challenges I was facing. She built up my confidence and acknowledged the progress I was making in being a supportive caretaker for my dogs. She also provided knowledge and education into the language of dogs and how to work with them from their perspective. Overall, Katherine provided tools to add to my tool box to enhance the skills and understanding of not only my dogs but myself as well. It was an invaluable experience that I am very grateful for.

The biggest takeaway I received from working with Katherine was that my energy is a direct pathway to working with the dogs. Understanding my reactions and then working toward building the connection to communicate with the dogs for the behavior I desire.

I valued the most the way Katherine was so genuine and her insight into building awareness and connections. I appreciated the feedback during session and after each session she would recap that in a very detailed email. That was incredible.

I am just thankful for Katherine and her insight and guidance. It has been such an amazing experience for me in a personal way. It really is so much more than “dog training”. I really appreciate the holistic approach. I felt like Katherine spoke my language and I loved how she could reflect back what she was picking up on and could expand about what she saw. It was great. She would also provide resources and any relevant information. It was also very nice to have check ins so no matter where you were in the process it was very accessible to get support about challenges, but also simple questions that could be responded to in a very timely manner. Thank you, Katherine!” A.S.

If you’re curious about how you can transform your life with your dogs, let’s chat!

Radical Acceptance

Radical Acceptance.

A powerful 2 word combo which one of my clients shared with me during their program wrap up session with me.

According to Marsha Linehan, the creator of Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT), “radical acceptance rests on letting go of the illusion of control and a willingness to notice and accept things as they are right now, without judging.”

What she shared with me in her reflections about what she learned over the course of the last few months working with me, my client said she tried to control all the things in her life from what her dogs may potentially do, to how friends and colleagues perceive her to worrying about what will happen if she doesn’t do x thing(s).

She felt imprisoned by the circumstances of her life. She desired peace and freedom.

She recognized she had specific goals in mind when she first started, but as she moved through the journey, she recognized how life took detours.

Things didn’t evolve as she expected in the beginning.

Fear stopped her in her tracks.

Resistance was the wall blocking her from her own transformation.

What resided on the other side of that wall was peace, ease and freedom.

Fear whispered in her ear, you don’t want that because it will take work, it will require you to do things differently and you have no time.

Her desire for peace and freedom grew, she leaned into the resistance and found that staying in the fear created her suffering.

She also uncovered for herself by leaning into the resistance is how powerful she really is.

She acknowledged fear exists, but rather than giving into it, she took action in spite of it because the suffering in the resistance to change was no longer bearable.

Her confidence grew out of her trust that she can recover and by reminding herself of her purpose.

When I asked her about roadblocks as she progressed, she said her daily practice of centering herself will help her to stay present so she can respond to anything life throws at her with confidence, grace and ease.

She recognizes how there will still be painful experiences in life, but by having radical acceptance and letting go of control, she created her own freedom and peace in her life.

You get to do this too!

Are you willing to let go and step out of fear and break down your wall of resistance?

Let’s chat!

Cherish the Little Moments Too

Cherish every moment.

When Jack rolled into our home and our lives, he peed on the wall and set up his spot on the back of the couch (it’s still his spot).

He and I struggled on how to help him feel comfortable being alone (this took months for him to heal).

We moved 5-6 times in his life and this included overseas moves.

Jack learned how to adjust to our work, travel and life schedules.

He’s learned how to make different choices when he sees other dogs and trucks he doesn’t like.

There are times he still barks and looses his mind (sorry delivery people!)

He and I learned so much together and I’m grateful to this little guy for being my teacher just as I was one to him.

The mutuality of our relationship is what the made the difference.

It was never about what Jack did.

It was never about how much Jack obeyed or didn’t.

What matters is the love we have for one another.

Jack will be 13years old next month.

His body hurts a little more, I’ll continue honoring who he is and caring for him in whatever that looks because I love him first and foremost.

Jack was never a means to an end.

Jack is a whole being and always has been.

Make the choices that help your dogs be successful in feeling better in their own skin.

That’s the least we can do for them.