Hi, I’m Katelyn!
I didn’t really choose dogs.
Dogs chose me a long time ago.
Some of my earliest memories are of spending summers at my local veterinary clinic, watching, learning, asking questions, and absorbing everything I could. Animals were always where I felt most at home, and eventually that childhood passion became a career.
I moved to Louisiana in 2007 (from the DMV area), and somewhere along the way, this place became home. My two daughters were born and raised here, and after nearly two decades in Louisiana, this is the community I’m proud to call home.
For more than 15 years, I’ve been learning, handling, and training dogs. For the past eight, I’ve made it my profession to teach people how to better understand, communicate with, and train their own dogs.
My professional background began in veterinary medicine, but canine behavior quickly became my focus. Over the years, I’ve dedicated myself to understanding dogs beyond basic obedience, especially the dogs whose behavior is complicated, misunderstood, or difficult to live with.
Aggression. Severe reactivity. Fear. Rescue dogs. Dogs who have been given up on.
Those are the cases that pulled me deeper into this field.
Much of my experience has come from working with local rescues, rehabilitating stray and shelter dogs, and taking on challenging behavior cases. I’ve spent countless hours pursuing continuing education, studying under respected trainers, attending seminars and hands-on workshops, and learning from every dog I’ve had the opportunity to work with.
Today, I’m a Certified Dog Trainer through the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and a long-term professional member of the organization. I’m also an evaluator for Therapy Dogs United and an evaluator with the American Kennel Club for S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, Community Canine, Urban CGC, Trick Dog, and Fit Dog Club. I’m also a certified AKC Fit Dog Instructor.
But credentials only tell part of the story.
.
.
Best Pals was built around a simple belief: Dogs and their people deserve to understand each other.
Training isn’t about creating a perfect dog. It’s about creating communication, clarity, confidence, and skills that actually hold up in real life.
Outside of training, I’m a homeschooling mom to two girls, a lifelong animal lover, a kayaker, and a houseplant collector who apparently has no idea when enough is enough.
And I’m still learning, too.
I believe that being a good trainer means never deciding you know everything. Every dog teaches us something, and I’m committed to continuing my education through seminars, mentorship, hands-on learning, and new experiences.
Best Pals is the result of more than a decade of working with dogs, years of teaching people, a lifelong love of animals, and a whole lot of muddy paws.
It’s not about having a perfect dog.
It’s about building a relationship that works—for both ends of the leash.
Hey, I’m Yami!
I used to design for brands. Now I design around dogs. Either way — it’s all storytelling.
I help with boarding, support the board & train dogs, and handle our social media behind the scenes. Every single dog that’s come through here has taught me something. Watching them build confidence is one of the best parts of this job — and yeah, it’s always a little sad when they go home.
I’ve learned so much from Katelyn. She’s incredibly knowledgeable about dog behavior and always takes time to explain the why behind everything we do. Her ability to read dogs and guide them as individuals is what makes this place different. Every dog gets their own path.
My background is in graphic design — I’ve been in the field for about seven years, working in branding, print, and digital. But working with dogs has pushed me creatively in ways I never expected. It’s taught me to see the story as it unfolds — and that’s what I try to capture in every post and photo. I’m proud of what these dogs accomplish, and grateful to be part of their journey — and share a bit of it with all of you.
Outside of work, you’ll probably find me hiking, listening to music (like, always), or spending time with my own dogs — Cosmo and Gaia — training, bonding, and just enjoying the quiet.
Anyway… back to posting dog faces!
¡Adiós!
Best Pals’ Approach
At Best Pals, we use a gentle, balanced approach rooted in positive reinforcement. We rely on luring, shaping, and clear communication to build a strong foundation—one that adapts to each dog’s individual temperament, history, and needs.
Effective training begins with realistic expectations and consistency. I encourage every client to approach their dog’s learning with clarity and purpose, focusing not on emotion, but on what their dog needs in order to thrive.
Many behaviors labeled as “stubborn” are actually symptoms of confusion—not defiance. Most dogs genuinely want to make good choices; they simply need guidance that makes sense to them. After all, our dogs experience the world differently than we do, and what feels obvious to us may be completely unfamiliar to them.
During our first lesson together, we’ll explore what true communication looks like between humans and dogs. You’ll learn how to give instructions that your dog understands, how to reinforce the behaviors you want, and how to build a relationship based on trust, respect, and teamwork.
Clear communication isn’t just part of training—it’s the foundation of a lifelong partnership.
Patience and Grace With Ourselves
You’ll often hear me gently reminding you to extend patience and grace toward yourself. Dog training is a skill, one that doesn’t always come naturally, and it’s perfectly normal to feel uncertain as you learn. Many of us are conditioned to dwell on our missteps: being late, using the wrong !, or feeling like we’re falling behind. But fixating on mistakes only distracts us from progress. You’re human, and mistakes are part of the process.
As your trainer, I may ask you to unlearn habits that have been ingrained for generations, perhaps even challenge techniques you've relied on your entire life. That can feel uncomfortable at first, but growth often begins there. Throughout your program and beyond, I’ll be right beside you, encouraging you to embrace the learning curve with compassion and confidence.
Consistency For Them
Dogs thrive on structure, consistency, and predictability. While their learning processes closely mirror our own, the key difference lies in language, because they don’t speak English, predictability becomes a powerful tool in helping them understand and succeed. Throughout our training, we’ll explore practical and effective ways to bring consistency into your best friend’s daily routine, while also building the skills they need to stay confident and responsive in the ever-changing situations of everyday life.