Meet The Happy
Retriever Team
At The Happy Retriever, our mission is to foster a healthier, more responsive relationship between dogs and their owners through expert training and compassionate care.
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Our Philosophy
We hold the conviction that every dog can become a well-mannered and self-assured partner. Our training programs and services are based on scientifically supported positive reinforcement techniques, coupled with balanced training approaches, to guarantee effective and compassionate methods that honor the uniqueness of your dog.
Our Team
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Alyssa
Alyssa is a dedicated professional with over 15 years of experience in canine care and training. She became a member of The Happy Retriever team in August 2020, starting as a front-office administrator. Her exceptional dedication and enthusiasm for the role quickly propelled her to the position of general manager. Alyssa's deep passion for her work and her genuine love for dogs is evident in everything she does.
As a certified AKC evaluator, Alyssa thrives on collaborating with dog owners to craft personalized training plans that cater to each dog's unique needs and challenges. She takes immense joy in guiding families toward successful training outcomes, fostering stronger bonds between owners and their furry companions. Looking ahead, Alyssa is excited to expand her impact in the pet care industry, helping more families create unforgettable memories with their cherished dogs, one thoughtfully designed training plan at a time.
Outside of work, she loves to spend time outdoors with her two dogs, read, and enjoy quality moments with family and friends.
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Hannah
Hannah is the Head Trainer here at The Happy Retriever. She started in 2016 as an Administrative Assistant while in high school and transitioned to Bump Up Trainer in 2018, working at the center in between attending Unity College. After graduating with a degree in Wildlife Biology and working for Denver Zoo and Blank Park Zoo.
Hannah returned as our Head Program Trainer in 2023, introducing training tools with a positive mindset. She believes that building a strong relationship with your dog is the key to successful training. With practice and consistency, every dog has the potential to be an amazing companion for their family!
Hannah is also an AKC Evaluator for Canine Good Citizen, Urban Canine Good Citizen, Community Canine, S.T.A.R. Puppy Program, and Trick Dog. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dog Zailey, a Border Collie Mix.
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Alexa
Alexa is a dedicated professional with a background in pre-veterinary medicine. She began her career in the veterinary field but soon discovered her passion for dog training. In 2021, she joined The Happy Retriever as a front desk receptionist and quickly demonstrated exceptional skills and work ethic, leading to her promotion to the position of office manager. Alexa thrives in an environment that allows her to work closely with dogs and their owners. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her pup, Romeo, or curling up at home with a good book. Her blend of expertise and love for animals makes her a valuable asset to the team.
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Megan
Megan has always had a passion for dogs. She began her career working with animals in 2009 as a veterinary assistant at a local animal hospital. From there, she worked her way up to manager at the attached boarding facility. Later, she took a position at another local boarding facility as an enrichment coordinator, where she taught staff how to run safe and successful playgroups.
It was during this time that she realized she wanted to train dogs and help owners better understand their dog's behaviors. She then worked at a training facility, gaining valuable experience in training dogs and teaching owners basic obedience.
Megan strives to build strong bonds with all the dogs she works with and is very happy to be a part of The Happy Retriever family!
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Jocelyn
Jocelyn is a Balanced and Food-Based trainer who has worked for The Happy Retriever since 2017. Her favorite part of dog training is working with the shy and nervous dogs, helping them build the confidence to come out of their shells. She often gets help from her dog partner in crime, Mina, who the THR staff has crowned as the ‘therapy dog for dogs’. Jocelyn teaches several classes, including Puppy 101 and Canine Good Citizen Prep. She is also a certified AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and CGC exams evaluator. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, writing, playing video games, taking trail walks, and taking Mina on adventures.
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Liberty
Liberty has always had a strong interest in helping dogs and understanding their behavior. From a young age, she was drawn to working with dogs who needed patience, structure, and clear communication—an interest that deepened when she adopted a deaf dog at 10 years old and learned how to communicate and train him. At 19, Liberty completed a comprehensive, hands-on canine training course, earning an Outstanding Excellence award and placing highest in her class. She also brings hands-on experience raising litters of puppies and working closely with puppies during their early developmental stages, giving her a strong foundation in canine behavior and early learning.
In her free time, Liberty enjoys continuing to build her skills through dog grooming and spending lake days at home with the dogs. Liberty is passionate about helping dogs and their owners build confident, trusting relationships through clear communication and thoughtful training.
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Melanie
Melanie has spent her entire life working with animals, from dog walking and veterinary medicine to professional dog training. She loved her time in the ER and specialty hospital, where she was inspired by the medicine itself and the incredible doctors, technicians, and staff she worked with. That experience sparked her special interest in canine physical therapy, rehabilitation, and fitness conditioning—areas she continues to study and incorporate into her training approach. As a balanced trainer, Melanie focuses on working with the dog in front of her and helping owners build strong, meaningful relationships through clear communication, training, and play. She is passionate about teaching owners how to truly understand their dogs and get the most out of their relationship.
Melanie is currently training her Dutch Shepherd, Envy, with goals of competing in PSA and dock diving, and the pair recently began detection work with hopes of earning future titles. She also has an older dog, Bodhi, who enjoys his well-earned couch-potato lifestyle. In her free time, Melanie loves training for dog sports, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. She’s excited to continue helping dogs and their owners grow together.
Brodie
Brodie is a balanced trainer who started as a weekend walker back in 2024. She worked her way up to balanced trainer in April 2025. She has always had a love and passion for dogs and all animals, and she’s had dogs in her family her whole life. She graduated as a Canine Major at Norfolk County Agricultural High School in 2019. She had experience in grooming, training, and general learning about dog breeds, body language, and behaviors. In her free time she loves to draw, listen to music, and play video games with her friends. She also spends lots of time with her chow chow Milton, keeping the bond they had since picking him up to 100%. Whether her future career continues to include dog training, or if it moves on to other things, she’s always willing to learn so much more to increase her knowledge about dogs and animal care.
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Tammi
Tammi has spent her life centered around animals, believing they are our greatest teachers in patience, love, and connection. With 15 years of experience working with horses, she developed a sophisticated understanding of non-verbal communication and body language—skills that transitioned seamlessly into her work at doggy daycares and, eventually, professional training.
Tammi’s journey was deeply shaped by her "soul dog," Nike. Even after Nike lost his hearing, the pair maintained a profound bond through hand signals and mutual trust. Later, she rescued Hank, a reactive shelter dog who changed her career path forever. Through their work together—including transformative e-collar training—Hank gained the confidence and freedom he needed to thrive.
Today, Tammi uses those personal experiences to help owners bridge the communication gap with their own dogs. She is dedicated to helping every dog feel safe and happy while ensuring their owners enjoy a joyful, lasting, and clear connection with their companions.
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Michelle
Michelle has always had a deep passion for working with dogs. Her career with animals began at a young age when she would watch people’s pets, and that early love only continued to grow. After graduating high school in 2002, she decided to pursue dog grooming and later attended grooming school in 2007, earning her grooming certification. She also went on to receive her Associate’s Degree as an Animal Care Specialist. While she enjoyed grooming, she eventually found her way into the doggy daycare world, where she discovered how much she loved learning about canine communication and watching dogs interact in playgroups.
Michelle’s goal as a trainer is to create a special bond with every dog she works with. Each dog teaches her something new and helps her grow, and she loves being able to teach them new things, build their confidence, and watch them shine. Her passion for dogs continues to inspire her to help owners better understand their pets and support them on their training journeys.
In her free time, Michelle enjoys going on hikes with her dogs Nonnie and Prada. Being out in nature with them is one of her favorite ways to unwind and bond!
Kayla
Kayla has been passionate about dogs for as long as she can remember and has spent the past eight years helping dogs and their families build stronger, more positive relationships. She has experience working with dogs who struggle with behavioral challenges, including reactivity toward people or other dogs. Over the years, Kayla has also provided in-home care for many clients’ pets, ensuring they feel safe, comfortable, and well cared for while their owners are away.
Her training approach is rooted in clear communication, patience, and mutual respect, with a strong emphasis on building trust and confidence. Kayla believes that a strong bond between dog and owner is the foundation for long-term success. She finds great joy in watching dogs gain confidence and seeing their owners grow alongside them.
When she’s not training, Kayla enjoys baking homemade dog treats and spending time outdoors.
Eric
Eric is a lifelong dog and cat lover; he has two dogs Bonney and Banshee and two kittens Shar and Selune. His passion for animals stems from growing up watching Westminster shows with his grandmother, and helping his grandfather train his Golden Retrievers. After a career in sales & customer service Eric now works on the office side of The Happy Retriever manning the front desk and assisting wherever he can. He happily fills the role of the fun uncle to all of our students and has lost count of how many ‘favorites’ he has. A homebody at heart when Eric isn’t at work, he is likely curled up on his couch with his animals watching something nerdy or playing a game.
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Tracy
Tracy’s lifelong love for animals began in her childhood, fueled by a deep passion for horses. This early connection grew into a commitment to animal care that has persisted throughout her life. Among her beloved companions is Blossom, her sweet pit bull terrier. Her love for animals brought Tracy to our center, where she serves as a dedicated grounds caretaker. Her responsibilities range from meticulous cleaning and maintenance to ensuring the comfort of our canine residents with nighttime potty breaks. Tracy's unwavering willingness to lend a helping hand and her consistently positive attitude make her an invaluable member of our team. When she's not at work, Tracy enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, especially her two wonderful children, Samantha and Gavin.
Alyssa
General Manager
Alyssa is a dedicated professional with over 15 years of experience in canine care and training. She became a member of The Happy Retriever team in August 2020, starting as a front-office administrator. Her exceptional dedication and enthusiasm for the role quickly propelled her to the position of general manager. Alyssa's deep passion for her work and her genuine love for dogs is evident in everything she does.
As a certified AKC evaluator, Alyssa thrives on collaborating with dog owners to craft personalized training plans that cater to each dog's unique needs and challenges. She takes immense joy in guiding families toward successful training outcomes, fostering stronger bonds between owners and their furry companions. Looking ahead, Alyssa is excited to expand her impact in the pet care industry, helping more families create unforgettable memories with their cherished dogs, one thoughtfully designed training plan at a time.
Outside of work, she loves to spend time outdoors with her two dogs, read, and enjoy quality moments with family and friends.
Hannah
Training Manager
Hannah is the Head Trainer here at The Happy Retriever. She started in 2016 as an Administrative Assistant while in high school and transitioned to Bump Up Trainer in 2018, working at the center in between attending Unity College. After graduating with a degree in Wildlife Biology and working for Denver Zoo and Blank Park Zoo.
Hannah returned as our Head Program Trainer in 2023, introducing training tools with a positive mindset. She believes that building a strong relationship with your dog is the key to successful training. With practice and consistency, every dog has the potential to be an amazing companion for their family!
Hannah is also an AKC Evaluator for Canine Good Citizen, Urban Canine Good Citizen, Community Canine, S.T.A.R. Puppy Program, and Trick Dog. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dog Zailey, a Border Collie Mix.
Alexa
Office Manager
Alexa is a dedicated professional with a background in pre-veterinary medicine. She began her career in the veterinary field but soon discovered her passion for dog training. In 2021, she joined The Happy Retriever as a front desk receptionist and quickly demonstrated exceptional skills and work ethic, leading to her promotion to the position of office manager. Alexa thrives in an environment that allows her to work closely with dogs and their owners. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her pup, Romeo, or curling up at home with a good book. Her blend of expertise and love for animals makes her a valuable asset to the team.
Megan
Program Trainer
Megan has always had a passion for dogs. She began her career working with animals in 2009 as a veterinary assistant at a local animal hospital. From there, she worked her way up to manager at the attached boarding facility. Later, she took a position at another local boarding facility as an enrichment coordinator, where she taught staff how to run safe and successful playgroups.
It was during this time that she realized she wanted to train dogs and help owners better understand their dog's behaviors. She then worked at a training facility, gaining valuable experience in training dogs and teaching owners basic obedience.
Megan strives to build strong bonds with all the dogs she works with and is very happy to be a part of The Happy Retriever family!
Jocelyn
Weekend Supervisor & Bump Up Trainer
Jocelyn is a Balanced and Food-Based trainer who has worked for The Happy Retriever since 2017. Her favorite part of dog training is working with the shy and nervous dogs, helping them build the confidence to come out of their shells. She often gets help from her dog partner in crime, Mina, who the THR staff has crowned as the ‘therapy dog for dogs’. Jocelyn teaches several classes, including Puppy 101 and Canine Good Citizen Prep. She is also a certified AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and CGC exams evaluator. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, writing, playing video games, taking trail walks, and taking Mina on adventures.
Liberty
Lead Puppy Trainer
Liberty has always had a strong interest in helping dogs and understanding their behavior. From a young age, she was drawn to working with dogs who needed patience, structure, and clear communication—an interest that deepened when she adopted a deaf dog at 10 years old and learned how to communicate and train him. At 19, Liberty completed a comprehensive, hands-on canine training course, earning an Outstanding Excellence award and placing highest in her class. She also brings hands-on experience raising litters of puppies and working closely with puppies during their early developmental stages, giving her a strong foundation in canine behavior and early learning.
In her free time, Liberty enjoys continuing to build her skills through dog grooming and spending lake days at home with the dogs. Liberty is passionate about helping dogs and their owners build confident, trusting relationships through clear communication and thoughtful training.
Melanie
Program Trainer
Melanie has spent her entire life working with animals, from dog walking and veterinary medicine to professional dog training. She loved her time in the ER and specialty hospital, where she was inspired by the medicine itself and the incredible doctors, technicians, and staff she worked with. That experience sparked her special interest in canine physical therapy, rehabilitation, and fitness conditioning—areas she continues to study and incorporate into her training approach. As a balanced trainer, Melanie focuses on working with the dog in front of her and helping owners build strong, meaningful relationships through clear communication, training, and play. She is passionate about teaching owners how to truly understand their dogs and get the most out of their relationship.
Melanie is currently training her Dutch Shepherd, Envy, with goals of competing in PSA and dock diving, and the pair recently began detection work with hopes of earning future titles. She also has an older dog, Bodhi, who enjoys his well-earned couch-potato lifestyle. In her free time, Melanie loves training for dog sports, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. She’s excited to continue helping dogs and their owners grow together.
Brodie
Bump Up Trainer
Brodie is a balanced trainer who started as a weekend walker back in 2024. She worked her way up to balanced trainer in April 2025. She has always had a love and passion for dogs and all animals, and she’s had dogs in her family her whole life. She graduated as a Canine Major at Norfolk County Agricultural High School in 2019. She had experience in grooming, training, and general learning about dog breeds, body language, and behaviors. In her free time she loves to draw, listen to music, and play video games with her friends. She also spends lots of time with her chow chow Milton, keeping the bond they had since picking him up to 100%. Whether her future career continues to include dog training, or if it moves on to other things, she’s always willing to learn so much more to increase her knowledge about dogs and animal care.
Tammi
Bump Up Trainer
Tammi has spent her life centered around animals, believing they are our greatest teachers in patience, love, and connection. With 15 years of experience working with horses, she developed a sophisticated understanding of non-verbal communication and body language—skills that transitioned seamlessly into her work at doggy daycares and, eventually, professional training.
Tammi’s journey was deeply shaped by her "soul dog," Nike. Even after Nike lost his hearing, the pair maintained a profound bond through hand signals and mutual trust. Later, she rescued Hank, a reactive shelter dog who changed her career path forever. Through their work together—including transformative e-collar training—Hank gained the confidence and freedom he needed to thrive.
Today, Tammi uses those personal experiences to help owners bridge the communication gap with their own dogs. She is dedicated to helping every dog feel safe and happy while ensuring their owners enjoy a joyful, lasting, and clear connection with their companions.
Michelle
Bump Up Trainer
Michelle has always had a deep passion for working with dogs. Her career with animals began at a young age when she would watch people’s pets, and that early love only continued to grow. After graduating high school in 2002, she decided to pursue dog grooming and later attended grooming school in 2007, earning her grooming certification. She also went on to receive her Associate’s Degree as an Animal Care Specialist. While she enjoyed grooming, she eventually found her way into the doggy daycare world, where she discovered how much she loved learning about canine communication and watching dogs interact in playgroups.
Michelle’s goal as a trainer is to create a special bond with every dog she works with. Each dog teaches her something new and helps her grow, and she loves being able to teach them new things, build their confidence, and watch them shine. Her passion for dogs continues to inspire her to help owners better understand their pets and support them on their training journeys.
In her free time, Michelle enjoys going on hikes with her dogs Nonnie and Prada. Being out in nature with them is one of her favorite ways to unwind and bond!
Kayla
Bump Up Trainer
Kayla has been passionate about dogs for as long as she can remember and has spent the past eight years helping dogs and their families build stronger, more positive relationships. She has experience working with dogs who struggle with behavioral challenges, including reactivity toward people or other dogs. Over the years, Kayla has also provided in-home care for many clients’ pets, ensuring they feel safe, comfortable, and well cared for while their owners are away.
Her training approach is rooted in clear communication, patience, and mutual respect, with a strong emphasis on building trust and confidence. Kayla believes that a strong bond between dog and owner is the foundation for long-term success. She finds great joy in watching dogs gain confidence and seeing their owners grow alongside them.
When she’s not training, Kayla enjoys baking homemade dog treats and spending time outdoors.
Eric
Front Desk Administrator
Eric is a lifelong dog and cat lover; he has two dogs Bonney and Banshee and two kittens Shar and Selune. His passion for animals stems from growing up watching Westminster shows with his grandmother, and helping his grandfather train his Golden Retrievers. After a career in sales & customer service Eric now works on the office side of The Happy Retriever manning the front desk and assisting wherever he can. He happily fills the role of the fun uncle to all of our students and has lost count of how many ‘favorites’ he has. A homebody at heart when Eric isn’t at work, he is likely curled up on his couch with his animals watching something nerdy or playing a game.
Tracy
Grounds Caretaker
Tracy’s lifelong love for animals began in her childhood, fueled by a deep passion for horses. This early connection grew into a commitment to animal care that has persisted throughout her life. Among her beloved companions is Blossom, her sweet pit bull terrier. Her love for animals brought Tracy to our center, where she serves as a dedicated grounds caretaker. Her responsibilities range from meticulous cleaning and maintenance to ensuring the comfort of our canine residents with nighttime potty breaks. Tracy's unwavering willingness to lend a helping hand and her consistently positive attitude make her an invaluable member of our team. When she's not at work, Tracy enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, especially her two wonderful children, Samantha and Gavin.
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We took our puppy, Dash, to bump up days and a one-week bootcamp, and the results did not disappoint! Dash worked with Jana, and he lit up each time he spotted her at training. They are so kind at Happy Retriever and all staff members seem to have a real love for the animals they work with. Dash has been much better behaved on walks, and his commands (sit, stay, place, etc). have also improved immensely. We recommend the Happy Retriever to all of our new dog-owner friends who are hoping to train their new pups.
My dog, Darcy, has been going to the Happy Retriever since she was 3 months old. She has received great training from each trainer there, and I am confident that she is well taken care of during boarding stays. I highly recommend the puppy training courses. It’s truly the best investment to have a well trained dog! I love that Darcy gets her training reinforced anytime I need to board her while I’m out of town. 5 stars!
The Happy Retriever is an outstanding training facility! Our 6 month old rescue, Nova attended a resident training program. She attends bump up days at least once per week. The training was life changing! We were unable to walk Nova pre resident program & she was terrified with any loud noises. There were many other issues that needed to be addressed as well. Nova has been doing wonderful since coming home! We can’t say enough about the staff at Happy Retriever. They are a very talented bunch!
The trainers and staff here are AMAZING. My boy, Dale, loves coming to THR! They've done an amazing job channeling his Spaniel energy into something productive and he's such a joy to be around because of their hard work! Update 9/27/22: I just picked up Dale from his 9-day E-Collar training class and he's a dream to be around! The team at THR really knows how to bring out the best in all dogs - even ones as willful and energetic as my boy!
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Five stars! If there were six or seven, or MORE I would DEFINITELY be rating them all. Do NOT hesitate, we had SUCH an amazing experience. I was so hesitant to board my 4-year-old rescue. I adopted her as a 4-month-old "cautious" pup, and while she's come along way socially and emotionally, she was in dire need of probably private training, and lots of it. So we spent a couple of weeks doing bump-up training and the progression was slow going. I came back from my trip to a completely well trained dog. What a joy! There were daily report cards that were thorough, honest and insightful.
