Meet the Team

Founder
I’m the OG of Lifestyle Dog Training™ and the founder of Opportunity Barks, which started 20 years ago with no plan B, and a belief that dogs deserve better (and so do their humans).

My superpower is helping people build a life that works alongside their dogs. If I’m doing my job right, you’ll probably laugh a lot more, which is a bonus.

Now, I get to lead an extraordinary team of trainers, thinkers, and culture-shapers who bring that vision to life every day. I built the blueprint, and we work together to evolve the vision.

When a dog relaxes into being understood, and a human softens into clarity, that’s my kind of soul food. My life with dogs is my résumé, learn more here.

Operations & Outreach
Katherine brings a rare blend of operational grit, creative instinct, and deep animal experience.
Before joining OPB, she ran a multi-location, medically focused dog rescue, coordinating complex transports from Texas to NYC with equal parts logistics and heart.

Long before that? She was managing chaos of a different kind in the music industry, working in artist development and label operations. That background shows up daily in how she reads people, leads projects, and builds systems that actually work.

Now based in Philly, she lives with her partner, her husky mix Luna, and a rotating cast of foster kittens who run the household. Katherine leads with clarity, culture, and care, and we’re damn lucky to have her in the mix.

Farm Dog Program Manager
Rachel is a seasoned pro with years of hands-on experience in training, walking, coaching, and pack leadership—and it shows.
She’s known for her skill, her presence, and her ability to build strong, capable teams that get the work done and hold the vibe. Whether she’s managing chaos or mentoring the next wave of talent, Rachel leads with calm confidence and quiet fire.

She’s also got a soft spot (and a blanket) for every short-haired pup in the building, because around here, warm dogs = good leadership. And if you’ve got a Shepherd? Rachel’s already in your corner. That’s just how she rolls.

Chelsea came in with group care and kennel experience—and quickly proved she’s a force in training, pack management, and dog connection.
She’s got the skill, the feel, and the work ethic—and leads with equal parts clarity and compassion. Whether it’s tuning into a nervous new dog or running a calm, structured crew, Chelsea sets the tone. Her presence raises the bar.

She’s not just a trainer—she’s a culture carrier. A steady leader. The kind of teammate who holds it down and lifts it up at the same time.

When she’s not with dogs, you’ll find her listening to a podcast in the sun, watching horror movies, or deep-diving obscure topics for fun (Wikipedia rabbit holes are kind of her thing).

Also: proud dog mom to one of the cutest brindle, pointy-eared pups on the planet—and yes, a founding member of the Dorito-Ear Fan Club.

Laura brings a rare blend of grounded presence, deep client care experience, and natural connection with dogs.
She stepped into the OPB world with calm confidence and quickly became a trusted hand—especially with our farm dog crew. Sharp instincts, fast adaptability, and a clear love for the animals guide everything she does.

Outside of training, Laura’s often on the trails or in the park with her two companions—Rogue, a sweet senior pittie, and Choriza, a wonderfully ridiculous English bulldog. She finds joy in creating meaningful, enriching moments for dogs in and out of the training space.

Laura’s already making a strong impact—and as she deepens her skills and steps further into leadership, it’s clear she’s just getting started.

Day School Program Manager
Ashlee brings serious experience, grounded leadership, and zero ego to the table.
She’s worked in rescue, run Boarding School programs, and spent years in the trenches with dogs who don’t follow the script. From shutdown to explosive, she meets behavior with clarity, patience, and feel, especially for Philly dogs navigating the chaos of city life.

She’s got a soft spot for pitties and a sharp eye for nuance, but what really sets Ashlee apart is her ability to teach dogs and humans. As a mentor and team culture-shaper, she’s helping refine how we train, support, and show up across the board.

Her energy is steady. Her standards are high. And her ability to help both people and dogs find their footing? That’s the real gift.

Oli is a key part of what makes OPB feel like OPB, bringing curiosity, humor, and deep care into every space they hold. They’ll meet you where you are, call you in when needed, and help you actually get it, in a way that feels doable, honest, and alive.

Incredibly talented, quietly sharp, and deeply tuned in, Oli brings a creative, grounded energy into every room they’re in. They meet you where you are, help you make sense of what’s in front of you, and guide you toward something steadier, without overcomplicating the process.

If you’ve ever felt like training should feel more human, more collaborative, more alive, you’ll feel at home in Oli’s orbit.
They get dogs. They get people.
And they help you build something real between the two.

Boarding School Program Manager
Brian brings deep experience, sharp systems, and full-spectrum animal fluency to the team.
From managing busy vet clinics to running high-volume kennels, he knows how to keep operations moving and keep animals seen and cared for. But Brian’s real credibility? It’s lived.

At home, he and his partner run a mixed-species crew: Dachshunds, Dobermans, goats, a horse, and a mini cow—all coexisting like it’s normal (because to Brian, it is).
He’s equal parts logistics brain and barn party heart—and that combo is rare. Calm, kind, and quietly dialed, Brian leads with presence and precision.

Emily made the bold leap from corporate to canine, and she’s coming in hot. A former collegiate athlete with coaching in her bones, Emily brings sharp instincts, a no-fluff attitude, and the kind of fire that moves things forward. She's here to win, not at obedience, but at helping humans actually get it and build something real with their dogs.

Raised with German Shorthaired Pointers trained for the field, she learned early how to read high-drive dogs and stay a step ahead. Now, she shares her life with a pittie mix and a rotating crew of foster pups—and she's channeling that same grit and grace into every session, every client, every dog.

She’s got clarity. She’s got feel.
And she’s not just part of the future of dog training, she’s helping shape it.

Pam brings years of professional grooming, rescue, and dog care expertise to the team, but it’s her radar that sets her apart. Stiff hips? Pam’s already made adjustments. Weird sneeze before sunrise? Clocked. Subtle vibe shift? She felt it yesterday.

Pam runs on observation, instinct, and zero fluff. She keeps our dogs and team cared for like it’s a craft, which, for us, it is.

She shares her home with Mav, her chaos lab, and Theo, the small-but-mighty terrier with puppy whisperer credentials.

Janet brings deep experience, sharp coaching instincts, and the kind of steady presence dogs trust immediately. From boarding school programs to real-time handler coaching, Janet’s the kind of trainer who sees what’s possible in every dog—and helps it come forward with clarity, consistency, and zero ego.

They’re known for celebrating the wins (big and small) and holding space for dogs to be their full, messy, brilliant selves. When they’re not out hiking with your pup, they’re off exploring the trails with their own chow mix sidekick.

Lo shows up with Vet clinic chops, bulldog devotion, and the kind of heart that dogs feel instantly.
Whether it’s trail time, playtime, or catching the exact right moment through the lens, Lo makes sure every pup feels like the main character. From bulldogs to boarding school grads, they bring full-send care, zero shortcuts, and a vibe that says: I got you.

Rocco the Doberman? Still not over you.

Angela’s been rolling deep with animals since childhood. Her room was a full-blown ecosystem—bunnies, hermit crabs, fish, a 4-foot iguana named George, and whatever rescue showed up next. Years at the humane society only fueled the fire. She’s fostered everything from bottle-babies to full-blown chaos crews, and now she’s making it official—career pivot, heart-led. She lives with her partner, two dogs (Tank + Pearl), and ten bossy backyard chickens.

Wendy’s trained house dogs, herd guardians, and horses—and she knows what works: patience, clarity, and a well-timed joke.
Her current crew includes a Kangal, a Pyrenees mix, and a pit bull who holds down the couch. With chickens, dairy goats, and a background in dressage, Wendy brings real-world range and no-nonsense horse wisdom to the table. She trains for life, not for show.