Meet the Team!
Manners Program
Erin Byrne, CPDT-KA
AKC CGC Evaluator
Erin has been professionally training since 2007. She is an AKC CGC Evaluator, member of APDT, Truly Dog Friendly & the Pet Professional Guild.
She first discovered positive training in 2004 when she brought her out of control dog to her first positive reinforcement class, and within three weeks she was hooked. Erin lives with a number of dogs, and has worked extensively with pitbulls with a variety of fear issues. Erin is a DSA Treibball Judge, holds titles in WCRL Rally, K9 Nose Work and CDSP Obedience.
Dawn Perl
ABC-CTP
AKC CGC Evaluator
Dawn started with us on an Externship from ABC, and we were so impressed with her dedication to her craft, we asked her to join our Team! Dawn teaches Manners all levels and is one of our dedicated Puppy K masters! Dawn runs the Puppy Day Camp and is excited to grow this new program.
Dawn is an avid volunteer and kitten raiser, lives with her German Shepard Gabe.
Jackie Sorial
ABC-CDT
Penn Foster Dip
AKC CGC Evaluator
Jackie completed her ABC externship at Let's Speak Dog and did such a great job we had to hire her! Jackie studied at Animal Behavior College and Penn Foster Dog Training.
Jackie is loved by her corgis Kandi and Gus and her husband, Haney and her girls Averey & Aria. Jackie is teaching Star Puppy and Beginner House Manners.
Deb Knappenberger
AKC CGC Evaluator
Debbie has been training her dogs for 15 years and teaching for 8 years. As a puppy fanatic, Deb teaches Puppy K & Advanced Puppy. Deb is an avid sports competitor and is currently trialing in obedience, rally and K9 nose work. Deb lives with her 2 Australian Cattle Dogs Squeak, Heidi & Aloha and her lab, Oz.
Deb is currently studying to take her CPDT exams and would like to expand her teaching to include sports and behavior issues.
Deb’s achievements include multiple titles in AKC, APDT and CDSP Rally & Obedience. Her proudest moments include Squeak's WCRL MX title as Squeak is a dog reactive dog. Great Achievement Deb!
Kailly Muthard, MSW, KPA-CTP
AKC CGC Eavaluator
Kailly Muthard started her journey training dogs in 2013. In 2016, she graduated from the Karen Pryor Academy for Training and Behavior.
as a Dog Trainer Professional.
Kailly is an AKC STAR Puppy and Canine Good Citizen evaluator. By day, she is a Master's Level Social Worker.
Kailly's goal is to be an ambassador for the science of training. Kailly hopes that others will experience, through her instruction, an improved appreciation and understanding of their pet's learning abilities and, of course, have fun doing it!
Sammie Snyder
AKC CGC Evaluator
Samantha is newly engaged in dog training and competitive sports. A proud owner of four golden retrievers, she not only competes in the conformation ring, but also performance sports!Samantha joins us with experience as a veterinary technician and was previously employed as a service dog trainer.
She loves to help others achieve their goals and show them the exciting world of dog sports!Samantha is currently working towards expanding her knowledge and experience in order to pass her CPDT exams and start teaching performance classes.Samantha’s collected achievements are growing. She has earned many placements in conformation with her girl, Splash. Finn and Samantha have also earned many AKC titles in rally, obedience, scent work, CATs, FCATs, dock diving, and more!
Sports Programs
Tracking Program
Diane Thompson
Lynne Schroeder
Lynne has a B.S. in Education from the Ohio State University and an M.B.A. in Finance from Rutgers University. Her professional career in health care management included 8 years in the human sector before being recruited into veterinary hospital management where she managed both primary and specialty hospitals for over 12 years.
Her love of dogs and athletics naturally lead her to the agility world where she has been actively training and competing in canine agility events for over 10 years across a variety of venues including AKC, USDAA, UKI, CPE and NADAC . She has put titles on her Schipperke and Miniature American Eskimo Dog and was a member of 2017 USA EO Team with her Miniature American Shepherd (“Mini Aussie”) Targhee.
In addition to training locally under Diane Bauman, Jess Ajoux and Mary Ellen Barry, Lynne has worked extensively with Sylvia Trkman in her Puppy, Foundations, and Running Contacts courses and regularly attends One Mind Dog seminars with the Finnish and North American OMD Coaches to keep current on the developments in the field. Lynne is devoted to the full-time pursuit of agility as a student, competitor and instructor. Lynne believes in creating a positive working environment for dogs and their handlers and enjoys the challenges and rewards of working with a variety of breeds to bring out the best in their potential!
Education Programs
More info coming soon!
Scent Work Program
Sarah Woodruff
CNWI
Sarah Woodruff is a certified nose work instructor (CNWITM) through the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW). Sarah and her rescue dog, Angie, started their nose work adventures in 2011. After dabbling in a number of activities including Tricks, Rally and Agility, Sarah learned that Angie’s most favorite activity was using her nose. Sarah enrolled in the 2011 PA nose work camp to learn as much as she could about K9 Nose Work® to bring the information back to her friends. After her first camp experience, Sarah started a local practice group and has been teaching classes ever since.
Sarah and Angie have achieved their NW1, NW2, NW3-Elite, and most recently their Elite-3 title. At 11 years old, Angie is still having fun playing in the Elite division and Element Specialty trials.
Sarah currently teaches all levels of classes from Intro to Elite. Sarah is an NACSW ORT Certifying Official and Judge, an NACSW trial Certifying Official, a Nose Work Camp instructor and a Performance Scent Dog (PSD) trial judge.
Agility Program
Regina Conti
When I adopted 6 month old Willow, who was very shy and nervous around new people, back in 2011 I knew she needed a confidence boost and decided agility might be a good fit. Well after our first few classes we both had the agility bug and I have been training my dogs and competing ever since. Agility has also helped build my own confidence; I began to feel more at ease in situations unfamiliar to me and interacting with new people.
We compete in CPE in which Willow has earned 2 C-ATCH’s and working on our C-ATE. We also compete in USDAA and AKC Master’s level. My younger dog Fenway also enjoys agility and he is well on his way to a great future in it, he is only a few Qualifying runs she of his 1st C-ATCH in CPE. Both of my dogs also have their CGCA and Willow has a CGCU.
I love working with dogs and their families, it’s been a wonderful journey so far and I look forward to helping others and having fun!
Rally & Competition Obed
Program
Renée Hall
CPDT-KA, CDBC
Renée runs the Comp Obed & Rally Programs. She enjoys working with new teams as well as experienced teams in both sports and is an active competitor with her own dogs.
The Let's Speak Dog program offers classes from starter thru advanced competition presented in a clear, structured approach. Each level introduces skills in a systematic way, building a strong foundation for both sports.
Renée will be attending the 2017 AKC Rally National with Porsche in June and is currently working on her puppy's qualifications for 2018 Rally Nationals. Renée's dogs have qualified for AKC Rally Nationals every year since 2013, have been nationally ranked in WCRL top 20 every year for the last 8 years with minimal trialling, and ranked in CDSP obedience for the last 4 years.
Renée is currently a WCRL Judge, CDSP Obedience Judge & NATE Judge.