Allow Me to Introduce Myself!

Hi, my name is Sami, and I’m the proud Owner and Trainer at Loyal Paws Academy. I’m a proud wife to my wonderful husband, Derek, and a mom to three beautiful daughters. Our family also includes three incredible rescue dogs—Koda, Tux, and Bandit.

I've had a deep love for animals my whole life, but dogs have always held a special place in my heart. When I became a dog owner, I quickly realized how overwhelming training could be—especially for dogs with past trauma. Determined to help my dogs heal and thrive, I searched for professional training programs, only to find them far beyond my budget. So, I took matters into my own hands.

I dedicated countless hours to studying dog training—watching videos, following reputable trainers, and practicing different techniques. I recorded every training session to track progress and share our journey with others. Over time, I discovered that training wasn't just a necessity—it was my true passion.

This passion led me to work as an adoption counselor at my local humane society, where I gained hands-on experience with dogs of all breeds and temperaments. I became fluent in dog body language and found joy in helping even the most fearful dogs rebuild trust in humans.

In October 2024, I was accepted into the Animal Behavior College, where I’m currently working toward professional certifications in:
✔ Basic Obedience
✔ Service Dog Task Training
✔ Therapy Work
✔ Shelter Dog Behaviors

Today, my own dogs are a testament to the power of patience, understanding, and positive reinforcement:
🐾 Koda is on his way to becoming a certified Therapy Dog and is highly skilled in gluten detection.
🐾 Tux provides deep pressure therapy, tactile stimulation, and alerts to panic attacks and anxiety symptoms.
🐾 Bandit is our sweet baby boy, still mastering the basics—but he has the best big brothers to guide him!

As I continue my education and hands-on experience, my goal is to offer force-free, positive reinforcement-based training at the most affordable rates in the industry. I want to empower dog owners—just like myself—who need guidance and confidence to build lifelong bonds with their loyal, four-legged companions.

Let’s train together and unlock your dog’s full PAWtential! 🐶✨