Meet Your Dog Professionals

Hello, I’m Kim Silver, the proud owner of Building Bonds. My journey into dog training began when I helped my dog overcome behavior challenges. In 2012, I established “Kim’s Canine College,” later renaming it to “Building Bonds” in 2016. The shift in name reflects our core mission – it’s not just about sit and stay; it’s about fostering a relationship built on trust and effective communication.

At Building Bonds, our mission is to help you create a bond where your dog chooses you above all else. We want you to be both their safe haven and their party central—the one they trust and the one they celebrate with. Our focus is on nurturing healthy relationships that allow you to adore your dog, even during their most mischievous moments.

I am deeply committed to humane, ethical training methods that respect your dog’s needs as both an individual and a member of their breed and species. Every dog deserves an environment that supports their physical, emotional, and behavioral well-being, and my passion lies in helping them thrive.

I also understand that your needs as a dog guardian are just as important. I am here to guide you in meeting your dog’s needs while ensuring that your own needs are supported along the way. Together, we can create a harmonious, fulfilling partnership for you and your dog.

I am a Professional Canine Behavior Consultant and Professional Canine Trainer—Accredited through the Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB)—as well as a Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner, a Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor (CBATI-KSA), a Fear Free Certified Professional Trainer, and a Family Dog Mediator. I also hold a master’s degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, with a special interest in canine health and wellness. Currently, I am enrolled in the Companion Animal Sciences Institute behaviorology program, focusing on canine, avian, and feline tracks, with a specialization in canine aggression.

Whether through private or group lessons, I specialize in addressing behaviors associated with fear, anxiety, and stress in puppies and dogs. My commitment to using humane techniques and ensuring training is enjoyable for you and your dog sets me apart.

By choosing Building Bonds, you benefit from:

Training that is fun, engaging, and founded on sound and humane techniques.
Effective communication between you and your dog fosters success.
Peace of mind knowing I engage in quality assurance programs and continuous education.
A pledge to teach and train using force-free principles, building a strong bond without resorting to pain or fear.

Let’s embark on a journey where training is not just about results but also about building a lasting connection with your cherished canine companion.

For fellow professional trainers assessing my credentials, it’s important to note that I do not adhere to LIMA (Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive) principles. My training philosophy aligns strongly with being a force-free trainer, and I find my ethos best resonates with The Pet Professional Guild and the Pet Professional Accreditation Board.

If you’re interested in delving deeper into why I don’t advocate for the LIMA model, I recommend reading the article titled “The Least Inhibitive, Functionally Effective (LIFE) Model: A New Framework for Ethical Animal Training Practices” by Dr. Eduardo Fernandez. This piece provides insight into my approach to ethical animal training practices.

Michele Almeida -Administrative Assistant & Group Class Instructor

Michele is a Certified Family Dog Mediator and on her journey to becoming a master-level dog trainer, currently holding the position of a journeyman-level trainer. She is actively pursuing certification through the Dognostics Dog Trainer Certificate Program, showcasing her dedication to honing her skills in the field. Michele’s passion for learning is evident as she consistently engages in educational activities focused on dog behavior and training, supplementing her formal certification program.

With a background in Elementary Education and experience as a former elementary classroom educator, Michele finds joy in teaching children, adults, and dogs alike. She extends her expertise to a local education co-op where she teaches children. Michele takes on various roles at Building Bonds, instructing Puppy Preschool, Puppy Kindergarten, and Tricks classes. Additionally, she serves as the administrative assistant for Building Bonds, guiding clients to the right path for fostering strong relationships and addressing behavior issues with their dogs.

As a committed member of the Pet Professional Guild, Michele brings a holistic approach to her training methods. Her multifaceted skills and genuine passion make her an invaluable asset, enriching the experiences of both clients and their furry companions at Building Bonds.

Carly Keim – Veterinary Outreach and Behavior Coordinator

Carly holds a degree in Biology and has a well-rounded background in animal care, including experience in zookeeping, education, and veterinary technology. Her time working as a vet tech in Florida and caring for animals in zoological settings sparked a strong interest in behavior and low-stress handling. Carly is passionate about helping animals feel safe and understood, and she values practical, science-based approaches that support both pets and the people who care for them. She brings a thoughtful, compassionate perspective to her work and is excited to support the mission of Building Bonds through behavior education and outreach. When she’s not working, Carly enjoys hiking with her dog Hazel and making pottery in spare time.

Ana Mendoza – Group Class Instructor

Ana is a certified professional dog trainer with over four years of experience transforming the lives of dogs and their families. Her journey began with her own reactive corgi, Toffee. When traditional training methods failed, Ana turned to books and courses—sparking a passion that led to her CPDT-KA certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

Ana is a Fear Free Certified Professional, a member of the Pet Professional Guild, and an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. She has completed the University of Washington’s Applied Animal Behavior Certificate program and Michael Shikashio’s Master Course in Aggression in Dogs.

Ana specializes in obedience, behavior modification, fungility, scent games, and confidence building. She uses positive reinforcement and customizes her approach to meet the unique needs of each dog and family. Committed to improving communication and understanding between dogs and their people, Ana helps build strong, lasting relationships. She serves the community as a trainer for the Humane Society of Southern Arizona and through her private practice, Canine Cowboy Dog Training.

Susan Sparks, MSEd, PDT, CTDI-Group Class Instructor

Susan is a retired public school teacher and reading specialist who spent much of her career with the Flowing Wells School District. For the past 13 years, she has also been a certified professional humane dog trainer. Susan’s passion for dog training began as a young girl when she enrolled her first puppy, an Australian Shepherd mix named Tidbit, in an obedience class. Though she enjoyed training, the correction-based methods didn’t feel right, and she noticed Tidbit becoming subdued rather than happily calm.

After high school and university, Susan remained determined to find a better way to train dogs, reigniting her passion for dog training in 2008 after the loss of her brother, Tim. In his honor, she began volunteering at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, where she was introduced to positive reinforcement and clicker training. Inspired by these humane methods, Susan pursued certifications as a CPDT-KA and CPDT-KSA, launching a successful second career training dogs and their people.

Susan enjoys working with dogs of all ages, from puppies to seniors, as well as rescue dogs and purebreds. Over the years, she has competed in agility and conformation and continues to attend advanced training seminars with experts such as Michael Shikashio, Kathy Sdao, Ian Dunbar, DVM, and Patricia McConnell, PhD, in the U.S., and Absolute Dogs and Tom Mitchell, veterinary behaviorist, in the UK.

Her training approach is centered on building strong, positive relationships between dogs and their humans using a games-based, fun, and humane methodology. Susan offers small group classes, private in-home lessons, and works to help dogs overcome behavioral challenges by fostering confidence, calmness, and optimism.

Susan lives with her eight beloved dogs: four Italian Greyhounds, a Vizsla, a Portuguese Mountain Dog, a German Shepherd, and a Snorkie. She is passionate about helping each dog become a happy, well-adjusted member of their family through positive reinforcement and compassionate training.

Meet Your Dog Professionals

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