I got my introduction to animal behavior when I was 6 years old and I tried to use the family dog, A Chow-Chow mixed named Bella, as the a the mighty steed that would lead myself, a royal knight, heroically into battle. He had other plans.
Bella offered me an appropriate correction, the only way he knew how, and I never tried to ride a dog again. Who trained who?
Years later as an adult I had gone between numerous career paths, from Ironwork to tending bar, and I'd found that despite my ironclad efficiency and motivated work ethic, I found myself without a job due to the Covid 19 Pandemic and made a promise to myself: "I am going to work with animals in the next year." I raced through job-boards, made calls and sent emails furiously until a week later I got a call from the hiring manager at the states oldest and largest animal rescue. I started as an Animal Care Tech. This meant I would work hands-on with the dogs, take every single one (up to 150 at a time) to the potty yards, clean the kennels, feed them twice a day, replace soiled bedding, transport them to and from the veterinary clinic for surgeries, keep the wet and dry foods medicated, and an endless list of other necessary responsibilities for 10 hours or more a day. 
 "It's not a get-rich-quick job. Could you start at minimum wage?" 
     That was the best phone call of my life. I worked my tail off with enthusiasm. I quickly learned how much I didn't know about mans best friend, and became a sponge. I listened to my superiors and followed their guidance to a T. Though I had planned on working my way up to a veterinary position somehow, I quickly changed paths after watching the behavior department at work. They were literally making the dogs feel better when they were at their lowest point. I begged to become a part of the behavior team, and after reading numerous books on the topic, and working my absolute hardest for a year I was promoted to behavior specialist. I worked with the dogs who had been returned for bites, whether out of fear or alleged "aggression". I loved the man-eaters that my employees were afraid to. I gained so much love and understanding for what these dogs are put through and how much they can endure without losing their spirit.
In February of 2022 I got the opportunity to complete a mentorship for Dog's Playing For Life, a nonprofit with a mission to enhance the quality of life of shelter dogs to increase life-saving, and was once again reminded of how little I knew about training dogs. The mentorship taught me how to be bullet-proof in reading dogs' behaviors. To notice every single small decision a dog makes and how and when to reward, or stop each decision they make. 
I brought what I learned back to the shelter and shared what I knew.
I am infinitely grateful for all of the experience and information of been able to gain from animal welfare organizations, and I started Rad Dogs LLC in March 2023 with a long term goal and a short term dream.

Long term: Bring the percentage of homeless dogs in the world to ZERO. I know that sounds crazy, far-fetched, even impossible, Thats why I chose it. If the roles were reversed I know the dogs would want the same for us, and I'll never stop reaching for that goal.
Short Term: Simply, to make the world a better place for dogs.

Our Team is like a Chihuahua:
small, but mighty! 

Blatz

Blatz!

our patron pup, the best boy, and the heart and soul of rad dogs llc.
 i adopted this three-legged angel at a time in my life when i had absolutely no business owning a dog. I lived in a 400 square foot apartment in tempe az, and at 20 years old, I still had a lot of maturing to do. Blatz didn't seem to mind. i helped him through his separation anxiety (at the expense of my security deposit) and fear of strangers, and he helped me through more times than i could possibly type out on this page. my life is infinitely better because of this dog and i am so happy to have him as my best friend.

Fun Fact: Blatz gets his name from a beer company that shut down in 1959.