Welcome to the Canis Familia About Page

Statement of Purpose
It takes a family effort to raise a family dog. Whatever constitutes family in your life; traditional, blended, blood relatives, extended family, roommates, domestic partners, or outside friends and family, everyone has an effect on the dog in your life. The larger the family circles, the more experiences, good and bad, are open to you and your dog.

Canis Familia, Family Dog is here to help you and your family get off on the right foot, incorporating your new family dog into your family. Whether you are adding a puppy or adult, Canis Familia, Family Dog can arm you with the tools you need for a successful transition.

While CFFD will continue to offer training services to individual clients, our purpose is refocusing more on rescue. We will be starting our own rescue effort, and more information will be available on our Rescue page.

About Kate
Though working in the Tech Industry for the last 20 years, I have remained involved with dogs through shelter and rescue work. I have served on the board of a local rescue organization, as well as volunteering as a foster home during this time. I have worked with the Special Needs department of the Humane Society Silicon Valley, taking in under-socialized or food-aggressive adolescent dogs for foster care and training. The ultimate goal is always a successful placement that works for both the dog and the family.

In 2005 I decided to take my experience rehabilitating and placing rescue dogs and augment it with some training of my own. I studied with the Animal Behavior College to become an ABC Certified Dog Trainer. In addition to obtaining my dog training credentials I have also returned to San Jose State University, pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. I plan to go on from there to a Ph.D. in Psychology to sudy the Human-Companion Animal Bond, with my focus on ways to keep dogs in homes and out of shelters/rescues.

I offer my clients extensive experience in the shelter/rescue dog arena. I am very comfortable in the private lesson setting, working with families and their dogs in a comfortable, familiar environment.