BIO OF SARA
Sara has always had a love for animals, as far back as she could remember, from a very young age. She wanted to be a veterinarian “animal doctor” since the age of 3. The first dog she ever trained was her Rottweiler Bear when she was in middle school. Fast-forward to 2005, she received her Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science at the University of Vermont. While studying at UVM, Sara was selected out of several applicants to be chosen for an internship working at a marsupial research facility with kangaroos and wallabies during her semester abroad in Sydney, Australia.
While studying at the University of Vermont, Sara was again chosen out of several applicants for an internship at a Canine Behavior & Rehabilitation Center as a dog training assistant working with highly reactive dogs.
During her time at the university, on summer breaks she worked as a paraprofessional at a special education school for three years, teaching and caring for children with all levels of disabilities. Then, she was hired as a private respite care provider for two boys with autism, one verbal and one non verbal whom she was very fond of.
Sara has always had a love and passion for not only animals but children and people, too. When working with dogs and children, she realized many behavior similarities. Her natural empathy and patience was put to the test recognizing it was vital to posses while working with humans and animals dealing with many different behavioral challenges.
Since graduating in 2005, Sara has worked with various dog training facilities and non-profit organizations specializing in canine behavior modification, personal protection training, narcotics & bomb detection training for local police departments in Massachusetts including the Boston K9 Unit, service dog training for veterans, sport dog training, socialization & obedience training of all breeds, all ages and all temperaments.
Sara has over 10 years experience managing and organizing various fundraising events for local law enforcement, military, veteran, service & shelter dog non-profits. This was her passion when she was not professionally training her clients’ dogs.
Sara has been working professionally in the canine training, care, and holistic wellness industry for over 20 years. She established her successful dog training, pet sitting, and dog walking company called K9 Excursions in 2006 employing over 15 dog walkers, pet sitters and trainers at one appointed time ranging from 3-13 years working for her self started company. These wonderful individuals were all like family and played a huge part of the success of K9 Excursions. Team work was the focus and priority.
She now solely offers private customizable in-home dog training solutions for clients needing help with dogs of all breeds, all ages and all temperaments. She has trained thousands of dogs with various issues ranging from puppy manners, housebreaking, behavior modification, human aggression, dog aggression, and off-leash training. Her goal and success is the rehabilitation of dogs, delivering them from fear, anxiety, aggression, and more. Her happy clients report saying their dogs are now calm, confident, and of a sound mind.
Sara has taught hundreds of dog owners the confidence and skills to help them become strong, confident leaders in their homes, implementing structure, rules, and boundaries. Learning the balance of correction and reward to shape new behaviors, helps her clients also apply these skills to their personal relationships and family life.
She saw the similarities between dog and human more evident than ever before after becoming a mother to 3 beautiful children who are her world. Her handsome black German Shepherd Nero, from the Netherlands was originally shipped overseas for the Boston K9 Unit but was then surrendered to Sara in 2006. Her family had the pleasure of having 13 wonderful years with Nero before he sadly passed away June of 2018.
Sara would always bring her three beautiful children with her to clients' homes to walk, pet sit, and train their dogs. Her children always enjoyed helping her with the dogs, and it always put a smile on her client's faces when seeing the interaction and love between their dogs and her children. This had developed not only confidence in her client’s dogs but in her children as well helping them with their character, confidence, leadership, communication skills, responsibility, love, and respect for animals.
Her dog training, dog walking, and pet sitting business K9 Excursions that was established in 2005 to 2023 which has now been rebranded in 2024 known today as Jericho Walls K9 Training.
Her beautiful German Shepherd Jericho from Czech Republic lines was an answer to prayer from God for her 3 beautiful children. Jericho was the inspiration behind the new business name and logo. Sara is currently writing a children’s book about the tails of Jericho’s adventures with God and how faith led to many miracles in her family.
Sara’s love and compassion for people and animals shines through in everything she does. She is looking forward to working with you, your dogs and your family prosper.