Kelli was born in Western Maryland and grew up surrounded by dogs—especially German Shepherds—thanks to her father’s career as a K9 Police Officer. Her family was also deeply involved in the America’s VetDogs Program, where they raised and trained seven future service dogs for veterans. It quickly became a family passion, and Kelli loved being part of the process from a young age. At 15, after showing dedication and responsibility, she was granted her biggest wish: her very own German Shepherd, Liberty, to raise and train herself.

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After moving to the Eastern Shore, she decided to turn her lifelong passion into a career. Since then, Kelli has worked in nearly every department at the facility, gaining hands-on experience and a deep understanding of dog behavior and care.

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Whether she’s working one-on-one with a pup, leading a group class, or supporting her team behind the scenes, Kelli is passionate about helping dogs and their humans connect. She often says her favorite part of training is being the “translator” between dogs and their paw-rents—helping both sides understand each other and work together as a true team.