🐾 Kathleen 🐾

Lead Senior Dog | Social Media & Events Coordinator | Assistant Trainer
CPACP, Fear Free Certified, Pet CPR, FDM

Kathleen has spent the last seven years growing her skills and her heart in the world of dogs. As one of The Dog Den’s most dynamic team members, she brings her talents to every corner of the business—from training and enrichment to social media storytelling and event coordination. Kathleen wears many hats, but her mission is always the same: helping dogs feel safe, confident, and truly understood.

Her training approach is grounded in science-based, Fear Free methods that prioritize trust, choice, and communication. Whether she’s guiding a shy puppy or supporting a senior dog through enrichment, Kathleen is deeply focused on building bridges between people and their pets—so families can thrive together in a life filled with joy, structure, and understanding.

Day-to-day, Kathleen floats between all locations, connecting with dogs of every age and stage. She’s known for making enrichment fun (and tasty), coordinating themed Treat Days, celebrating team culture through thoughtful social media posts, and training new staff with her signature blend of humor and encouragement. She’s also a go-to voice at checkout time, sharing doggie stories with clients and making sure every goodbye ends with a smile.

Kathleen shares her life with Fergus, a soulful senior rescue dog (Rottweiler, Airedale Terrier, and Treeing Walker Coonhound mix) who has gone from reactive and wary to wise and chill. She’s also proudly outnumbered by two orange cats—Feyd Ruatha and Fudo Meow—and happily so.

Her path to dog training was a winding and adventurous one—starting in Illinois, moving through Massachusetts and New York, spending a summer in Ireland, and finally landing in Wisconsin. Once she found The Dog Den, everything clicked. The company’s commitment to ongoing education and professional development sealed the deal. She knew she was home.

Outside of her work with dogs, Kathleen is a former Irish dancer who once performed in the Opening Ceremony of the World Cup (!), and she still brings that celebratory energy to every event she plans.

Kathleen loves hearing about what the dogs are like at home just as much as she enjoys seeing them at play. Her favorite part of the job? Watching the ripple effect of enrichment and training—where confidence blooms, communication strengthens, and relationships flourish.