🐾 Diane 🐾
East Co-Coordinator | Senior Dog
CPACP, CPACM, FDM, Fear Free Certified
With over a decade of experience in canine care, enrichment, and operations, Diane is a pillar of expertise, heart, and leadership at The Dog Den. As East Co-Coordinator and Senior Dog, she brings a unique blend of knowledge, compassion, and energy to every day—whether she’s supporting team members, connecting with clients, or dancing through the daycare floor with the pups.
Diane’s training and handling philosophy centers on Fear Free care and the LEGS framework—looking at a dog’s Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self to truly understand behavior. She uses positive reinforcement techniques to build trust, encourage desired behaviors, and create a low-stress, joyful environment where dogs can thrive. Her approach ensures each dog is not only safe, but also respected, empowered, and celebrated for who they are.
At the heart of her work is the human-animal bond. Diane finds deep joy in helping dogs and their families grow closer, communicate better, and enjoy fuller, happier lives together.
Her own family includes two beloved pups:
Darla, a resilient Yorkiepoo who stole Diane’s heart at work and overcame three heart surgeries to become a thriving, joyful companion
Sebastian “Sebby”, a silly, playful Yorkshire Terrier who keeps her laughing every single day
She also shares her home with three cats—Willow, Waley, and Chubbs—each with their own special role in the family chaos.
Diane’s journey into dog behavior began with the simple joy of adopting her first dog as an adult. That one decision unlocked a lifelong passion for canine care and learning. When she joined The Dog Den, she found not just a job but a community of like-minded people who inspired her to go deeper into the science of behavior and the art of connection.
Before working with dogs, Diane was a Registered Nurse, and her love for care and advocacy now extends to every dog and client she supports. She’s also a proud Milwaukee Brewers fan, loves camping, and enjoys being out on the water with her family on their pontoon.
On any given day, Diane can be found managing operations, leading playgroups, assisting with grooming, coordinating enrichment, training staff—and most importantly, singing and dancing with the dogs, who always seem to join in.
Her message to clients:
“You—and your amazing dogs—are the heart and soul of everything we do. Thank you for sharing them with us.”
