Meet Our Experienced, Educated & Ethical Team

Justis Bolding

Founder

*NOTE: Justis is no longer taking new clients.*

Justis Bolding is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), licensed Family Paws Parent Educator (FPPE), member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), and member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). She has been training dogs professionally for 15 years, since 2005, and has changed the lives of hundreds of dogs and their owners in the New York City area. Justis is committed to ongoing education, and attends conferences and seminars regularly to stay current on science-based studies and new techniques for behavior modification.

Malia holds certifications that require continued education, so she regularly attends conferences and seminars to study with experts in the field of behavior and the science of learning. Most recently, she completed the Master’s in Aggression Course with Michael Shikashio (2019) and LEGS course with Kim Brophy (2022). Malia enjoys working with complex behavior cases, raising puppies and everything in between.

Malia Stevens-Sandler

Trainer, Behavior Consultant

Malia Stevens-Sandler is a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA), Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and Certified Family Dog Mediator (FDM™). Malia’s work is rooted in ethology and applied behavior analysis and her approach is always gentle and fear free for both her human and canine clients.

Malia has had a long relationship with Animal Care Centers of NYC. First as a volunteer then as a the first consulting trainer in the Community Pets Program which offers services to help pets stay in their homes and out of the crowded shelter system. Malia is a proud 4x adopter of dogs through ACC which is the city’s only open intake system, meaning no animals are turned away.

Malia hold’s certifications that require continued education so she regularly attends conferences and seminars to study with experts in the field of behavior and the science of learning. Most recently, she completed the Master’s in Aggression Course with Michael Shikashio (2019) and LEGS course with Kim Brophy (2022). Malia enjoy’s working with complex behavior cases, raising puppies and everything in between.

Keri Siry

Trainer, Behavior Consultant

Keri (CTC, FDM) has been helping people and their dogs for over 25 years. She was one of the very first graduates of the Academy for Dog Trainers in 2001- the gold standard in the industry. Keri has worked in San Francisco and New Jersey and is now seeing clients in New York City.

Over time, Keri began to question the application of traditional “training” to some of the behaviors she was seeing in her clients’ pet dogs. She saw the bigger picture and need to view dogs as individuals with their own life experiences, environments who are misunderstood and need an interpreter!

Noa Gurvis

Dog Sitter

Noa brings 15 years of experience to the team having started dog sitting in high school and most recently working in a management role at a popular NYC dog care company where she learned about body language, behavior and handling skills.

Noa and her trusty sidekick Pilot- a senior 6.5 lb pup- are available to dog sit in your home and her current work from home position gives her the flexibility be there when your pup needs her. Noa is comfortable with dogs of various breeds, sizes and behavior needs. As the guardian of a dog with separation distress, she understands first hand the need for loving care and companionship.