Meet the Trainers
The Pet Republic, Cambridge MA premier dog training facility, has certified trainers for all your needs.
Jill Hourihan
Business Owner & Dog Trainer
Trainer bio coming soon!
Jill Hourihan
Business Owner & Dog Trainer
Trainer bio coming soon!
Kim Melanson
Dog Trainer
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
Kim’s training philosophy is solidly based in techniques that are humane and based on science. Her strategies seek to build communication and a lasting relationship with your dog.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Professional Dog Trainer since 2001
- Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
- AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
- Counseling Certificate from the SF-SPCA
MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
- Association of Pet Dog Trainers
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
- Consultant, Baypath Rescue, Hopkinton, MA
- Founding Member, Shelter for Dogs, Animal Rescue League of Boston
AREAS OF INTEREST AND EXPERTISE
- Canine Behavior Counseling
- Obedience Training from Basic to Advanced
- Puppy Training and Classes
- Shelter Volunteer Training
- Implementation of evaluation and rehabilitation programs and shelters and rescue organizations
Celine Yang
Dog Trainer
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
Celine utilizes positive reinforcement training methods to strengthen communication between dog and handler. She strives to maximize engagement from the dog and to learn and honor each dog’s choices and preferences. Celine‘s ultimate goal is for her dogs to view work as play and play as work!
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional graduate
- Ken Ramirez Advanced Training Topics Seminar
- Michele Pouliot Canine Freestyle and Platform Training Seminar
- 13+ Fenzi Dog Sports Academy courses
MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
- Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP)
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy Alumnus
- Performance Scent Dogs (PSD)
- National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW)
- Certified Trick Dog Instructor via Do More With Your Dog
- Building confidence in fearful dogs
- Cooperative care
- Separation anxiety
- Managing thresholds in dogs prone to frustration
- Shaping trick behaviors and chains
- Nosework
- Agility
- Canine Freestyle
Celine Yang
Dog Trainer
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
Celine utilizes positive reinforcement training methods to strengthen communication between dog and handler. She strives to maximize engagement from the dog and to learn and honor each dog’s choices and preferences. Celine‘s ultimate goal is for her dogs to view work as play and play as work!
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional graduate
- Ken Ramirez Advanced Training Topics Seminar
- Michele Pouliot Canine Freestyle and Platform Training Seminar
- 13+ Fenzi Dog Sports Academy courses
MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
- Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP)
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy Alumnus
- Performance Scent Dogs (PSD)
- National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW)
- Certified Trick Dog Instructor via Do More With Your Dog
- Building confidence in fearful dogs
- Cooperative care
- Separation anxiety
- Managing thresholds in dogs prone to frustration
- Shaping trick behaviors and chains
- Nosework
- Agility
- Canine Freestyle
Alison MacDonald
Training Manager
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
Alison believes that the foundation for every successful human – canine team is trust and clear communication. Using evidence based training methods Alison can help you open up a conversation with your dog that will allow you to better communicate your expectations to your dog, better understand your dogs needs and help you to become the best team you can be!
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Karen Pryor Academy Graduate
- Level 1 TAGTeach Certified
- Living and Learning with Animals with Dr. Susan Friedman
- IAABC Principles and Practices of Animal Behavior Consulting
- Ken Ramirez Advance Training Topics Seminar
- Don Blair Scent Detection Seminar
- Click to Calm with Emma Parsons
CERTIFICATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
- Karen Prior Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- TAGteach International
- National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW)
- Performance Scent Dogs (PSD)
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy Alumnus
AREAS OF INTEREST AND EXPERTISE
- Building confidence in fearful dogs.
- Reactive Dogs
- Off leash skills
- Rescue dog acclimation to new homes.
- Building human/dog understanding and relationships
- Scent work
Sammy Hyde
Dog Trainer
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
Sammy believes that a well behaved dog comes through relationship building, clear communication, and trust. Her training philosophy is to treat the whole dog, not just the problem behavior. Her background in research has influenced her training, and she is always looking at the most recent science to ensure her training is efficient and humane. She is passionate about expanding her knowledge and skills, and has attended numerous workshops, seminars, and conferences. She is currently on the path to completing a Masters degree in Clinical Animal Behavior.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Karen Pryor Academy Graduate
- Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
- BS, Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut
- Applied Animal Behavior, University of Washington
- Dog Behavior Team, Baypath Humane Society
CERTIFICATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
- Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
- Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
- Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior (UW-ABB)
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy Alumnus
- National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW)
AREAS OF EXPERTISE AND INTEREST
- Puppy and adolescent dog development, behavior and training
- Reactivity and fear based behaviors
- Hypersocial dogs
- Rescue dog wellness and adjustment to new homes
- Nosework
- Tricks
Sammy Hyde
Dog Trainer
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
Sammy believes that a well behaved dog comes through relationship building, clear communication, and trust. Her training philosophy is to treat the whole dog, not just the problem behavior. Her background in research has influenced her training, and she is always looking at the most recent science to ensure her training is efficient and humane. She is passionate about expanding her knowledge and skills, and has attended numerous workshops, seminars, and conferences. She is currently on the path to completing a Masters degree in Clinical Animal Behavior.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Karen Pryor Academy Graduate
- Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
- BS, Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut
- Applied Animal Behavior, University of Washington
- Dog Behavior Team, Baypath Humane Society
CERTIFICATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
- Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
- Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
- Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior (UW-ABB)
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy Alumnus
- National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW)
AREAS OF INTEREST AND EXPERTISE
- Puppy and adolescent dog development, behavior and training
- Reactivity and fear based behaviors
- Hypersocial dogs
- Rescue dog wellness and adjustment to new homes
- Nosework
- Tricks
Allison Onofrio
Dog Trainer
Allison is a Marine Mammal Trainer at the New England Aquarium where she works with the seals and sea lions. There she also utilizes positive reinforcement practices. Using her experience working with other species, Allison brings a unique perspective of training to the canine world. Allison has a history of working with dogs of all ages, breeds, and temperaments at the MSPCA in the Boston shelter as a Community Animal Welfare Specialist. She enjoys talking about the science behind training and animal behavior with anyone who will listen. Allison’s philosophy is that there is always a “why” to our dog’s behavior. Our job as dog owners is to take the time to learn what that “why” is.
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
Training is a two way path that creates a shared language between you and the animal you are working with. By using methods based in science, Allison hopes to build a healthier, stronger relationship between you and your dog in the most humane way possible. She wants humans to allow dogs to make choices in their training by understanding their dog’s body language and preferences. These methods will empower an engaged dog that is excited to participate in training.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- BS Neuroscience: Animal Behavior, University of New Hampshire, minors in Psychology; Deaf and Hard of Hearing Studies
- Marine Mammal Trainer, New England Aquarium
- Community Welfare Specialist, MSPCA
- Karen Pryor Shelter Training and Enrichment
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy courses
MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
- International Marine Animal Trainer’s Association (IMATA)
- Animal Behavior Society
- Community Welfare Specialist, MSPCA
- Performance Scent Dogs (PSD)
- National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW)
AREAS OF INTEREST
- Nosework
- Tricks
- Cooperative Care
- Reactivity
