Meet Our Instructors

Natalie Zielinski, WHS Behavior Program Manager
As the Behavior Manager for the Wisconsin Humane Society, I spend a lot of time assessing animals and providing information to the Adoption Counselors so they can make good matches. I love knowing I am integral part of the process of re-homing animals and filling the empty space in an adopter’s heart. Helping companion animals find homes is very rewarding. I am most passionate about helping animals and their guardians before there are problems, so they can flourish in their home and benefit from mutual understanding between species. I absolutely thrive on watching animals learn how to succeed in our complex human world. I also adore seeing guardians beaming with pride at their animal's new skill or sighing with relief that they are making progress on a challenging behavior. Understanding animal body language and how our body language is interpreted by our pets is essential and part of every lesson. The foundation of our program is being proactive and rewarding good behavior, which leads to happy and engaged animals (people too!).
Year started with WHS: 2000
Training since: 1998
Certified Professional Dog Trainer:Yes
Other training credentials: CBCC-Certified Behavior Consultant Canine, ASPCA Certified SAFER Assessor
My Animals: Dogs Cinder, 12-year-old Border Collie mix, Poppy, a 2-year-Pomeranian mix and Barnabus, a 6-month-old Border Collie mix (all from WHS). I also have a blind cat, Oscar, who is 3-years-old; Horses - Nacho 29-year-old Appaloosa, Scout, a 13-year-old Appaloosa and Harrison, a 10-year-old Appaloosa.

Cindy Sites
I emphasize understanding "how" dogs think and "why" we should care, and what "Works and does not work" vs "right and wrong." I realize the importance of introducing and demonstrating positive training methods and really stress communicating with your dog. Having loved and lived with dogs my entire life, I have learned to appreciate each dog as an individual (especially the older rescues). I try to incorporate the science of good canine behavior and useful cues with practical everyday experience and basic suggestions that will vary with dogs and their people. That is why I love training group classes at WHS; never-ending variety of people and dogs needing and wanting help.
Year started with WHS: 2003
Training since: 1972
Certified Professional Dog Trainer: Yes
Other training credentials: APDT member
My Animals: Luke, Black Lab mix, 12 years; Stanley, Black Lab/Dobie, 8 years; Calhoun, Black Lab mix, 10 years

Amy Cushman
Training with unconditional love, respect, and empathy for animals; knowledge of the science behind animal learning; and consistent, patient, calm leadership opens the door to both really well-trained pets and joyful, harmonious relationships.
Year started with WHS: 2007
Training since: 2002
Certified Professional Dog Trainer: Yes
Other training credentials: The Academy for Dog Trainers
My Animals: Coco, Lab/pointer mix, 1.5 years old; Pickles, Pot-bellied pig, 3.5 years old.

Judith Nance
My training philosophy - They’re dogs. They’re not little people in fur coats or fashion accessories. Dogs are wonderful beings and we need to respect them as dogs. It’s our responsibility to find out as much as we can about dog behavior in general and breed-specific tendencies. It will help us understand why our dogs do what they do and how we can channel some of these behaviors to enhance training.
Year started with WHS: 1997
Training since: 2006
Certified Professional Dog Trainer: Yes
My Animals: Wendell, Terrier Mix, 12 yrs; Riley, Westie, 9 ¾ yrs.

Nicole Robinson
Becoming a trainer at WHS has enabled me to follow my dreams. Being both a school teacher and dog trainer, I believe very strongly in education and building positive relationships. I am passionate about serving the needs of individuals blessed to have an animal in their lives. My heart truly cares about the well-being of both animals and their human companions. When I am training, it is my goal to empower dog owners by providing them with the tools they need to be the best they can be for their four-legged friends. I believe that when we understand why our dogs behave the way they do, we can become better dog owners and our relationships with our dogs are enriched. My training philosophy includes being positive and proactive. Training at WHS fulfills both of my passions in life: helping people and helping animals. What a wonderful way to do both!
Year started with WHS: 2010
Training since: 2009
Certified Professional Dog Trainer: No
Other training credentials: Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer
My Animals: Dog, 3 years old, Brody; Cat, 9 years old, Schnitzel

Kathy Baily
When I started assisting in dog training classes at WHS, I saw how well the dogs respond to positive reinforcement training. Dog training quickly became a passion & I decided to move onto becoming a trainer. I soon had a library of books and attended as many seminars and conferences as I could. I’ve since found that you can never stop learning in this field and that each new dog you work with teaches you something new. Also, since I am involved with a rescue, using positive training has helped build confidence in the dogs we have rescued, as well as the families that foster them. Training at WHS helps us reach out to the community and try to keep adopted dogs in their homes for their lifetime with good experiences. After seeing the success in training my own dogs and the bond that we have built, I was determined to pass that on to others.
Year started with WHS: 2005
Training since: 2008
Certified Professional Dog Trainer: Yes
My Animals: Three Shar Pei's: Chinita, 7 years; Kong, 5 years; and Pepper, 3 years.

Holly Lewis
Force is not used to train zoo animals, dolphins or whales, so why should it be used for dogs?? It is rewarding to help people give dogs a second chance using positive methods that build relationships. I am very involved in rescue and teaching with WHS helps support rescue and shelter dogs and their families.
Year started with WHS: 2005
Training since: 2006
Certified Professional Dog Trainer: Yes
My Animals: Holly shares her life with 4 dogs ages 2-12. All are sporting breeds with temperaments ranging from shy to reactive.

Tim McLarty
Try to see the world from your dog’s perspective. Think like a dog. If you find yourself getting frustrated… laugh. Keep it fun. I love training at WHS because every person I help to understand and train their dog, I know that dog will have a good life and not end up back in a shelter.
Year started with WHS: 2007
Training since: 2004
Certified Professional Dog Trainer: Yes
Other training credentials: Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
My Animals: Border Collies Kilt, 12 years and Storm, 2 years

Jessica Peterson
I love to train animals because they are so pure. In their world life is so simple, you treat them with respect and kindness and you will get it back tenfold.
Year started with WHS:   2012
Training since:                   2009
Certified Professional Dog Trainer:  No
My Animals:    Dog, Sammy, 6 years; Dog, Lucy, 13 years