Our Team
Dana Crawford KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA
Company Owner/Trainer, AKC CGC Evaluator
Karen Pryor Acadamy Certified Training Partner and Certified Professional Dog Trainer though the CCPDT Dana Crawford has been working with dogs her entire life, her passion has always been helping rescue dogs or the more difficult breeds. Dana is an American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator, member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
"I am a big believer in positive reinforcement and making training fun for you and your dog! I always say that dogs have people problems not the other way around. As owners we should always work to figure out what drives our dog or makes them "want" to perform or work with you. I spend my free time competing in all kinds of events with my rescue dog Oliver and my Standard Poodle Sway. Oliver and I love to compete in rally, farm dog, tracking, Barn Hunt and tricks. Sway has earned her CGC, Advanced trick dog and competes in Fastcat events, currently she is learning agility!"
Madison Ruschak CCDT
Trainer
Madison fell in love with dog training at a young age. In the search to learn more about behavior and training, she completed the Masters Class at Catch Canine Trainers Academy, earning her CCTA Certified Dog Trainer (CCDT) certification. She continued her education looking specifically at reactivity and management before becoming a pet dog groomer for two years and subsequently ending up back in the classroom because she missed it! She is currently striving to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the CCPDT.
In her free time, she participates in several dog sports with her two Australian Shepherds, Colin and Badger. Although Madison enjoys all dog sports, she specifically enjoys competing in Scentwork and has multiple titles with her Standard Poodle Dovi.
Kayla Pence KPA-CTP
Trainer
Kayla is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and lifelong animal lover with a passion for helping dogs and their people thrive. Her journey began with her rescue dog, Rafiki, who sparked a deep interest in behavior after navigating challenges like reactivity and separation anxiety. Since then, Kayla has added Apollo to the family, and the trio enjoys exploring dog sports including obedience, agility, dock diving, and disc.
She specializes in problem-solving through positive reinforcement, making training fun and effective for both dogs and their humans. With a foundation in dressage and a love for outdoor adventures, her approach blends structure, creativity, and empathy.
Kayla is dedicated to fostering a safe, inclusive space for all and believes everyone deserves access to compassionate, high-quality training. She continues to grow as a trainer through ongoing education and looks forward to supporting you on your training journey
Marsha Thomas
Trainer
Marsha Thomas has been teaching classes for 10 years with the Paws and Think therapy dog organization! She is a Golden Retriever enthusiast and has been doing therapy work with her dogs for 20 years! She currently shares her life with her husband and her Golden Retriever Coltrane.
Deb Banks
Class Assistant
Deb Banks is a cat person turned dog lover! She is owned by a Cocker Spaniel named Dewey and a Doodle named Winston. Deb enjoys helping with classes, learning all things training and getting to see dogs and their people succeed!
Deb has a background in elementary education which makes her a great fit in helping people during class! In her free time deb enjoys spending time with her cats and dogs, hiking trails in Indiana, travel and attending concerts!