If your dog sent you to training...

They would want you to work on yourself.

 

So join the waitlist, because Coping With Canines returns July 2025.

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Coping With Canines is a supportive course and group experience that helps you go from reactive to resilient—right alongside your dog.

You have a lot of big feelings about your dog's big feelings. And while life with your complex dog might be a rollercoaster sometimes, your emotions don't have to be.

When you love a complex dog, but you also...

Go "over-threshold" right alongside your dog every time they see a trigger.
Wonder, “Is it just me?” every time your dog’s behavior sends you into a spiral. 
Feel judged by everyone... from friends with "easy" dogs to strangers on the sidewalk.
Want to enjoy life with your dog... because that's why you got a dog.

Do any of these thoughts sound familiar?

"Everyone must think I'm an awful dog owner."

"I get so upset after a big reaction and can't get past it."

"I don't know if I can keep living this way with my dog."

"I love my dog, but I don't like them very much right now."

"Everyone says it's just a dog, but I struggle so much."

"I didn't sign up for this." 

You're not alone.

I have had all those thoughts too. I explored everything—private training, group classes, socialization, meds, canine chiropractors, nutritionists, dog sports. You name it, we tried it.

But life with my dog still felt impossible, because that level of constant work and worry felt unsustainable.

I kept thinking, "How can I do this for the rest of his life?"

Turns out, the answer wasn’t more training. It wasn’t Dio becoming perfectly behaved. It wasn’t even passing the Canine Good Citizen test (though I'm still quite proud of us for that!)

It was me, working on me.

Life with your dog can feel "better", even if their behavior isn't "better" yet. 

Join the Waitlist

Lisa & Patches 

"This program is the best thing you can do for you and for your dog. 

I have become much more aware and patient with my dogs and myself.

We are much more calm and take things day by day."

Hi, I'm Jess!

And I'm NOT a dog trainer.

 

You probably already have one of those, and they're great!

 

But I know what it takes for you to go from reactive to resilient... 

 

because I did it myself, and I help people do it every day.

 

I've been a licensed therapist for over a decade. I also happen to have spent the same amount of time immersed in the dog world as an overwhelmed first time dog mom just trying to support my reactive dog (while trying to cope with my own emotions about him, too.)

I brought both worlds together in 2021 when I started Handlers & Humans, and I've been supporting overwhelmed pet parents ever since. I have even recently returned to school to pursue a post-graduate certificate as a Veterinary Mental Health Professional.

 

Clearly, the human side of the leash is kinda my thing.

 

I have been focused on helping dogs by helping humans since 2021. I offer emotional support and well-being coaching to dog guardians, teach trainers how to understand their human clients, and advocate for supporting dog people everywhere.

 

Because dogs are only helped through humans.

I teach you how to COPE with your canine through:

Calm, Care, & Coregulation

Observing Your Outlook

Playfulness & Positives

Engaging With Others

COPE is a framework I developed to support the emotional wellbeing of dog guardians—especially those caring for complex or reactive dogs.

Each element of COPE targets a core area of resilience, helping you feel more grounded, connected, and empowered as you navigate life alongside your dog.

The course is built around this framework, with each module reflecting one of its key pillars.

In the membership, we take it even further—each quarter, we spotlight one element of COPE through intentional themes, activities, and challenges.

This rhythm allows us to go deeper into each element throughout the year, while still honoring the non-linear nature of growth.

Click each part of the framework below to learn more!

Want to know when Coping With Canines opens?

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Kelli & Cosmo 

"This program makes you feel understood and seen in a way that the rest of the world never does when you have a reactive dog.

You can be open about everything you go through with your dog and people will actually know what you are trying to say.

The lessons expose things you didn’t even see yourself and help you work through them."

Robin & Max 

"When Max became anxious and reactive, I had no idea what to do. I felt as though I had done something wrong.

I found Jess’s course accidentally looking for yet another trainer to help me.

It was the first time I felt seen and heard, not blamed.

After each call I felt a bit of stress relax as I realized I wasn’t alone. I could love my imperfect, sweet boy."

Questions? Cool. Let's discuss!

K & Chester

"I struggled with coping with my reactive rescue dog Chester for several years before finding the Coping with Canines community.

The group calls, peer support, and one-on-one [feedback from] Jess have been life-changing for Chester and me.

Chester's reactivity made me feel really embarrassed and ashamed, but here in the group I have learned to have more compassion and empathy for myself dealing with a dog like Chester.

That in turn has helped me have much more compassion and empathy for Chester too.

I no longer feel shame. 

I expect that more rough patches may come in the future, but with the awareness and coping skills that I have gained I feel like I will be able to handle it."

Loving and training a complex dog is a long-haul journey.


To keep going through the ups, downs, and sideways moments, you need tools and support—just as much as your dog does.

 

We’ll do things like practice breathing techniques, learn mindset shifts, and work on celebrating the wins.

 

But the ultimate goal?

 

A life with your dog that feels better.

Get Me on This Waitlist Already!