In-Person Locations Served: Carrollton, Hebron, Addison, Lewisville, Highland Village, Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, Plano, Frisco, The Colony, McKinney, Wylie
Virtual Consultations available Nationwide
Angelica offers in home and virtual consultations and training for both cats and dogs.
Please click on the Consultation Button below to schedule a session.
Angelica is LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) compliant and will only use positive methods of training with you and your pet. She is not punishment based or a "Balanced Trainer" and will never use training tools such as Prong Collars, Shock Collars, Citronella Spray or any training method that teaches the pet avoidance and fear.
To learn more about LIMA and the effects of punishment on animals, please visit these pages:
AVSAB: Humane Dog Training Position Statement
To learn more about Fear Free, please visit these pages:
Angelica has been a proud supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) since 2021.
She earned her -KA (knowledge assessed) certification from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) in 2021.
She earned her Graduate status from Fear Free Shelters in 2020.
She completed the Veterinary Certification Program from Fear Free Pets in February 2023.
She is currently working towards her Fear Free Animal Trainer certification with Fear Free Pets, her Shelter Behavior Affiliate (SBA) accreditation with the IAABC and is completing her Feline Training and Behavior Specialist certification with Animal Behavior Institute (C/o Winter 2025)
"Working in Animal Welfare has taught me the enduring importance of kindness and compassion. It has changed how I approach both my professional and personal life. I've seen how small acts of kindness can make a big impact, from interacting gently with animals to building empathetic connections with colleagues, volunteers, and clients.
My time in the field has also deepened my understanding of the interconnectedness of all living beings and our shared responsibility for their well-being. This awareness has influenced my choices, from supporting ethical and sustainable practices to advocating for animal welfare beyond shelter organizations.
In recent years, I've dedicated significant time and effort to learn more about ethology and psychology. I’ve conducted in-depth research, took specialized courses, worked with experts, and continued self-education. I've shared this knowledge with shelter staff, volunteers, and clients, leading to positive transformations in their well-being. This accomplishment, which is personally fulfilling, has also greatly improved the welfare of the animals we work with by creating a nurturing and informed environment. " - Interview with Operation Kindness, 2023
Angelica started her animal career in 2014 when she was hired by Idaho Humane Society (Boise, ID) as an Animal Care Technician.
There she worked closely with the lead trainer to learn about positive behavior modification and clicker training for the dogs awaiting their adoptive homes. She left IHS in 2016.
Since 2017 she has been educating clients, shelter staff, and shelter volunteers on safe handling, comparative psychology, and animal ethology for cats and dogs while working selected behavior cases within the shelter system.
Angelica lives in Carrollton, Texas with her 10 year old Border Collie, Ivan (an IHS Alumni), 7 year old Cairn/Scottish Terrier, Sky (an OPK Alumni) and her 6 year old cat, Panther (an OPK Alumni).
New Puppy/Dog
Enrichment
Separation Anxiety
Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors
Fear/Phobia
Cat Behavior
Cooperative Care for Veterinary Visits
Take a look at some Case Studies for some shelter and home behavior work!
Dog Separation Anxiety
Cat Separation Anxiety
Overstimulation in Shelter Cat
Abnormal Repetitive Behavior in Shelter Dog
Cat to Cat Aggression
Continued education is important for trainers and behavior consultants to pursue in order to keep up to date on the latest changes in research and practices to offer you and your pet the best solutions needed for your training.
Here are some recent events that have been attended
2024:
The University of Adelaide (Dr. Fernandez, PhD): The Least Inhibitive, Functionally Effective (LIFE) Model: A New Framework for Ethical Animal Training Practices
Behavior Vets: Neurodiversity in Animals Series
Behavior Vets: Genetics, Personality, Neuroscience, & Resilience
2023:
The Feline Right at Home Behavior Modification Program
Behavior Vets: Can't Stop This Feeling!- Improving Repetitive and Compulsive Behaviors in Dogs
University of Edinburgh: Animal Behaviour and Welfare Course
2022:
Behavior Vets: Fear Memory Generalization: When the Protective Mechanism Goes Wrong
2021:
Instinct Dog: The Dogs and Kids Course
Dr. Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC: Use of Behavior Medications in Shelter Animals
