Biography
Kara is the trainer for people who appreciate clear communication, sharp instincts, and tangible results. Direct, funny, and deeply competent, she has a gift for teaching dogs and humans exactly what they need to know—and for making complicated training skills feel surprisingly straightforward.
One of Kara’s greatest strengths is her versatility. She has a knack for meeting dogs exactly where they are, whether that means building confidence, improving manners, teaching practical life skills, or finding productive outlets for energy and enthusiasm. Known for her creativity and problem-solving skills, Kara excels at breaking training goals into clear, achievable steps that help both dogs and their owners succeed. She has a particular soft spot for shy dogs, mother dogs with litters, and dogs with big personalities who need a little help channeling their enthusiasm.
Kara’s passion for animals started early. Growing up in South Carolina, she was surrounded by German Shepherds, Dobermans, and rescue dogs. Although her brother’s allergies meant she couldn’t have a dog of her own at home, Kara made up for it by caring for just about every other animal she could find, including iguanas, turtles, bearded dragons, rabbits, and guinea pigs. She also gained early hands-on experience working on a farm and participating in traveling farm programs that helped teach children about animals.
Her path into dog training began in 2013, when she started fostering dogs and went on to work with hundreds of dogs across a wide range of breeds, temperaments, and behavior needs. In 2015, her own dog Ozzy, an Australian Shepherd/Cattle Dog mix with reactivity issues, introduced her to the world of behavior modification. With guidance from Nicole and the Philly Unleashed team, Kara helped Ozzy become a well-mannered, if still spirited, companion—an experience that deepened her commitment to training and behavior work.
Since joining Philly Unleashed, Kara has become a favorite among clients for her straightforward teaching style, quick wit, and ability to make training approachable. Whether she’s leading a group class or working one-on-one with a family, Kara is passionate about helping owners build stronger relationships with their dogs through clear communication, consistency, and a little bit of humor.
Kara lives with her wife, their daughter, five dogs—Wesley, Ozzy, Mila, Dodger, and Quinn—two guinea pigs, and a fish. Their family is also excited to welcome a baby boy this summer. Outside of training, Kara enjoys camping, hiking, and outdoor adventures. Despite her lifelong love of animals, she remains hilariously suspicious of cats.
