Meet Your Dog Professionals
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.
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 and private in-home lessons, helping 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.
Patti is a certified separation anxiety trainer (CSAT), Karen Pryor Academy Training Partner (KPA CTP), a Puppy Start Right Preschool Instructor, a licensed educator with Family Paws Parenting Education, a certified Level 1 TAGTeach (Teaching with Acoustical Guidance) 2015, and graduate of Animal Behavior College (ABCDT) Training.
Patti O’Farrell, CSAT, KPA CTP, ABC DT – Separation Issues
Patti’s professional education and experiences in training people and dogs include:
- Separation Anxiety
- Behavior modification for dog reactivity, people reactivity, generalized fear, and resource guarding
- Proficient in manners/obedience levels and ages
- Agility for fun, and a multitude of tricks
- Apprentice service dog training for Tender Loving Canine Assistant Dogs, Vista, CA, and Wounded Warrior’s Freedom Dogs
Patti is a professional member of the Pet Professional Guild, International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Karen Pryor Academy, Family Paws Parenting Education, Doggone Safe, and Society of Veterinarian Behavior Technicians.
Currently and for the past 9 years, Patti volunteers weekly training volunteers and the more behaviorally challenged dogs at Rancho Coastal Humane Society in, Encinitas, CA. This includes assessing behavior, implementing training plans for specific individual dogs’ needs, training the volunteers on how to work with the dogs (appropriate for their experience and skill levels), therefore, creating more adoptions overall.
Pam Dennison, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC)
Pam Dennison is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Pam has helped thousands of dogs and their guardians build stronger, more cooperative relationships. Pam provides clear structure and instruction through one-on-one coaching for guardians working with aggression and reactivity, often utilizing her R.E.W.A.R.D. Zone protocol (Realizing Excellence With Attention, Redirection, & Desensitization).
An accomplished trainer and author, Pam has written for numerous local, national, and international publications on canine behavior and training. Her books and DVDs have received multiple DWAA Maxwell Award nominations and wins, highlighting her excellence in education and communication.
Books
- You Can Train Your Dog: Mastering the Art & Science of Modern Dog Training – DWAA Maxwell Award Winner for Best Training Book
- Bringing Light to Shadow: A Dog Trainer’s Diary
- How to Right a Dog Gone Wrong: The Roadmap for Rehabilitating Aggressive Dogs
DVDs
- The R.E.W.A.R.D Zone for Aggressive & Reactive Dogs (3-DVD Set) – DWAA Nominee for Best Training DVD
- The Magic of Shaping: Explore the Possibilities (New Edition)
- Training the Whistle Recall – DWAA Maxwell Award Winner for Best Training DVD
- Teach the Leash: Loose Leash Walking
