Devi doesn’t just train dogs—she coaches people through the process in a way that makes learning clear, easy, and empowering. After nearly 20 years as a teacher of adults and teenagers, she knows how to make complex concepts feel simple and practical. 

A true dog behavior nerd, she has a Master’s in Education, and is a Certified Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA), Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Family Dog Mediator (FDM) and Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP). She is also a Professional Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and a Supporting Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).

Devi’s Focus

• Reactivity & Aggression – Helping anxious, overexcited, and big-feelings dogs find calm.
  
  
• Fear & Anxiety Training – Helping nervous dogs learn to feel safe in a scary world.
  
  
• Empowering Owners – Teaching you how to handle real-world challenges with confidence.
  
  
• Connecting the Dots - Working with other experts like your veterinarian for a team-based approach to your dog's training.

*Yes, we know she's holding a cat. She works with dogs and their cat roommates!

With 10+ years of hands-on experience and a passion for positive reinforcement training, Diane has helped dog owners go from frustrated and confused to confident and connected.

Diane's secret love is teaching people how to travel, camp, hike, and venture with their dogs. You can catch her on the trails with a dog or two just about any day.

Diane’s Training Philosophy

“Dogs aren’t giving you a hard time. They’re having a hard time.”

• Every behavior has a reason. We don’t “fix” dogs. We teach them, support them, and empower them to make better choices.
  
  
• Training should be fun! Your dog isn’t the only one learning—we make sure YOU enjoy the process, too.
  
  
• There’s no such thing as a bad dog—only misunderstood ones.
  
  
• Her advice to dogs: "Make good choices."
  
  
• Calm dogs are well-adjusted dogs.
  
  
• Dogs are family.

Shawn transitioned to professional dog training from a distinguished career in education, where a lifelong passion for learning theory and coaching others laid the perfect foundation.

Her journey began when she proposed raising a puppy at school as a future therapy dog — a project that ignited a deep love for dog training and led her to coach students and teachers in training their own dogs.

That spark grew into a full career, and Shawn eventually retired from public education to dedicate herself to making a positive impact in the lives of dogs and their humans through positive reinforcement-based training.

Outside of her work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with two judgmental border collies, Dipper and Lüffy, who never miss an opportunity to remind her how smart they are.

Shawn's Approach

• Communicate, don't control. Training is a conversation with the dog.
  
  
• Protect agency and consent. Give the dog room to think and choose; they should feel safe, respected, and in on the decision (Hierarchy of Dog Needs).
  
  
• Meet the dog in front of you. Honor each dog's personality, history, and pace — no one-size-fits-all.
  
  
• Coach the human. Teach the owner what's happening and what to do, so the change outlasts the session — no "dog whisperer" magic.