"I don't know if I can keep living this way with my dog."
"People say it's just a dog, but they're so much more than that to me."
"Everyone must think I'm an awful dog owner."
"I get so upset after a big reaction and can't get past it."
"I love my dog, but I don't always enjoy our life together lately."
"I didn't sign up for this when I brought my dog home."
Because, same.
I tried everything when Dio and I were struggling with anxiety, reactivity, and resource guarding.
Private training, group classes, socialization, meds, canine chiropractors, nutritionists, dog sports. You name it, we tried it.
But loving life with my dog still felt impossible, because the level of constant worry and stress was unsustainable.
I kept thinking, "How can I do this for the rest of his life?"
Everything changed with my dog when I started to focus less on his behavior, and more on supporting myself.
And I want to help you support your end of the leash too, through my signature program...
Click to learn more about each tier ⤵️
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 now I help dog lovers 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 coaching other dog lovers through Handlers & Humans. I've been supporting stressed out and struggling pet parents ever since.
I have even recently returned to school to pursue a post-graduate certificate as a Veterinary Mental Health Professional (AKA - Veterinary Social Work!)
I offer emotional support and well-being coaching to dog guardians, teach trainers how to understand their human clients, and advocate for supporting the mental health of dog people everywhere. I believe that when dog lovers are supported, both dogs and humans will benefit.
$21/mon
Perfect if you’re looking for encouragement, shared wisdom, and a place where people truly get it.
Most Popular!
$75/mon for 3 months
Ideal if you’re ready for true mindset shifts, skill-building, and change - not just emotional support.
$195/mon, 3 month minimum
Meant for you if you know you’ll follow through better with 1:1 accountability and customized coping strategies OR if you are navigating a very challenging season with your dog.
In this short exercise, you’ll learn how to quickly sort helpful voices from the ones that don’t deserve space in your brain.
Because let's face it, sometimes the hardest part of loving a complex dog is dealing with other people.
After you watch the video, check out the Consider The Source exercise by clicking here!
I have become much more aware and patient with my dogs and myself. We are much more calm and take things day by day."
- Lisa & Patches, joined 2022
"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.
- Robin & Max, joined 2023
"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. I no longer feel shame. I expect that more rough patches may come in the future, but
- K & Chester, joined 2024
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."
- Kelli & Cosmo, joined 2022
As a professional dog trainer, one of the most common challenges I see isn’t actually the dogs themselves, it’s the emotional weight owners carry day in and day out. Feelings of inadequacy, stress, worry, and guilt show up in almost every session. And while I’m trained to understand canine behavior, I’m not nearly as well equipped to support the human side of the leash with the depth and care it deserves.
That’s why having Jess and Handlers & Humans as a trusted resource has been one of the most impactful additions to our programs. Jess has created an incredibly unique and truly vital space for dog owners to feel understood, supported, and less alone in their struggles with their dogs. Her ability to validate their experience, help them navigate big emotions, and reconnect them with confidence and their own calm has been truly invaluable.
Because of Handlers & Humans, our clients make faster, more meaningful progress both emotionally and in their training program. Having access to H&H allows us to focus on teaching dogs while knowing the humans are getting the support they need to show up fully, consistently, and compassionately for the training we’re providing.
Our training programs have become more sustainable, and more effective because of this collaboration. And most importantly, the lives of countless dogs and their owners have improved profoundly."
- Alyssa & Dana of Tri-Dog Solutions
Coping With Canines is coming in JULY 2025!
Hop on the waitlist to be the first to know!