Biography
Marianna’s journey into animal care began while growing up in Haiti, where they helped care for litters of stray puppies. Through years of fostering animals and taking in a strays, they developed a passion for training and behavior, discovering that the key to progress isn’t just teaching the dog, it’s helping both the dog and human learn to understand one another. Today, Marianna is particularly passionate about helping rescue dogs adjust to family life and city living. They have extensive experience addressing intra-household conflict, helping dogs and their families create calmer, more harmonious relationships at home. They also specialize in helping dogs navigate the sounds, sights, and constant stimulation of Philadelphia street life.
Marianna holds a Master’s degree in Social Work with a focus on policy and political social work and is currently working towards earning CCPDT certification. A cornerstone of their education was learning to approach behavior through a trauma-informed lens, something they bring into many lessons. They understand that many behavior challenges, particularly in rescue dogs, are rooted in fear, stress, and past experiences. Their goal is to help dogs and humans better understand one another, creating lasting change through empathy, communication, and trust. Marianna focuses on creating practical skills that support success in everyday situations. They are also fluent in Spanish, French, and Haitian Kreyòl, allowing them to connect with an even broader range of clients and communities.
In addition to working with dogs, Marianna is also fluent in cat behavior and enjoys helping families successfully integrate dogs and cats into the same household.
Marianna lives with their partner, four cats, and Moo Moo, a rescue American Bulldog they found wandering the streets of Delaware County. When they’re not working with clients, Marianna enjoys painting, soaking up the sunshine, and catching up on some well-earned sleep.
