All of our training programs use positive reinforcement.  Positive reinforcement has no negative side effects for your pet and is known to boost the relationship between you and your animal.  Our goal is to increase trust and communication, which ultimately leads to a happier pet and a more peaceful home.

Our focus is on providing you and your pet with results using positive, evidence-based methods aimed at reducing stress and enhancing communication.

Whether your goal is to reduce problem behavior, get started in training, create a strong foundation, or just enhance your relationship with your pet, our methods are the same. We use evidence-based methods, which mean they have been documented as effective in multiple studies. We steer clear of theories and vague concepts that simply aren’t proven. We want you to get the results you are looking for.

Effectiveness, however, is not enough for us. Empowerment training focuses on those methods that seek to provide choice and control for the animal. We control every aspect of our pets’ lives: where they sleep, when they eat, when they meet new friends, what they eat, what toys they have, and more! By giving our pets a sense of control over their environment, we often see their personalities blossom and their communication with their humans increase. We help humans learn to read their pets’ behavior so they can better understand them. Our focus is to reduce stress for both parties, and keep things fun!

No matter how extreme it is, behavior serves to communicate. Our job is to help you figure out exactly what your pet is trying to tell you. Utilizing force and aversive methods have been proven to create aggression in both animals and people. Our force-free approach is not only low-stress for the animals, but it’s safer for everyone involved!

While we are committed to reducing your pet’s stress, we are equally committed to helping you live in harmony with your pet. We have extensive experience in working in a variety of settings with both human families and animals. Our approach is collaborative, meaning that the behavior strategies we offer are designed with YOU in mind! We work together to make sure the training meets your lifestyle!

Meet the Team

Emily Cassell

Credentials

  • Certified Behavior Consultant-Canine (CBCC-KA)
  • Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI)
  • Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG)
  • AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and STAR Puppy Instructor
  • Pet Professional Guild Professional Member
  • Living and Learning with Animals Certificant
  • Aggression in Dogs Master Course Certificant
  • Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, University of Florida
  • Published Author and Presenter at Pet Professional Guild
  • Published Author at International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
  • Speaker at Florida Association of Zoos and Aquariums

“My name is Emily Cassell, and I earned my BS in Animal Science, specializing in Equine Science, from the University of Florida. Since 2010, I have been providing professional behavior assistance to pets and their people. During my career, I completed two internships—one at ZooTampa, where I worked primarily with Florida Manatees, and another at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, focusing on dolphins, otters, and pelicans. While attending school, I had the privilege of working with Class Act for Dogs in Gainesville, Florida, under the guidance of Dee Zurberg, an accomplished trainer who instilled in me the importance of kindness, not only to dogs but also to their people.

After graduation, I pursued a career in the zoo field, working with a variety of species including tigers, otters, flying foxes, gibbons, and various avian, aquatic, and reptile species. My primary focus has been on caring for orangutans. Outside of my work at the zoo, I have spent years as a group class instructor and behavior consultant for dogs at Courteous Canine, Inc. This experience inspired me to create Small Animal Resources—a platform designed to provide guardians of small pets with accurate, reliable information and to highlight the behavioral needs of small mammals.

I have also had the opportunity to share my knowledge through published articles for the Pet Professional Guild and the International Association for Animal Behavior Consultants, focusing on rabbit care and behavior. Additionally, I have presented at various conferences, workshops, and webinars for organizations such as the Pet Professional Guild, the Animal Behavior Management Alliance, and the Florida Association of Zoos and Aquariums.”

Lizzy Cassell

Credentials

  • Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
  • Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, University of Florida
  • Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, University of South Florida
  • Triple P Positive Parenting Accredited

“My name is Lizzy Cassell, and I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Florida and my master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of South Florida, where I also completed a specialized certificate program in Positive Behavior Support. Since 2012, I have been working in the field of applied behavior analysis, providing behavior services across various settings.

I have supported students in the school system, provided behavioral support services to families with children with developmental disabilities in their homes, taught parenting classes, and worked with foster children in a residential group home setting. I am accredited in multiple levels of the Triple P Positive Parenting curriculum and have experience teaching the TOOLS for Positive Parenting curriculum. My work includes assisting caregivers, teachers, and group home staff in developing functional behavior assessments and individualized, function-based behavior intervention plans tailored to each person and setting.

I am deeply passionate about meeting people where they are and providing coaching supports that help them learn new skills easily and effectively. This coaching experience has led me to explore my interest in working with animals and their people. I use my coaching expertise to design and break down training strategies that are simple, enjoyable, and effective, ensuring that animals are set up for success. My focus is on empowering people to feel confident using positive, force-free training methods based on the science of applied behavior analysis. I love teaching others about the science of behavior and equipping them with lifelong skills to enrich their relationships with their animals.

I have had the privilege of presenting at various conferences, webinars, and poster sessions at professional conferences, sharing my passion for behavior analysis and positive training strategies.”

If you have any questions, please contact us

“Emily and Lizzy are patient, kind, thoroughly knowledgeable and adaptive to you and your pets’ circumstances and needs.”

— MaryBeth L., Liberty, and Silas

Professional – Proven – Recommended

We are specialists committed to delivering the very highest quality training with the goal of empowering you.