Jodi’s journey to working with animals wasn’t a straight path. While she always had a passion for it, the direction wasn’t always clear. After earning her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Harvard University Extension School at 39, she realized her night school education hadn’t provided the hands-on experience she desired. This led her to pursue a master’s in Conservation Biology at Antioch New England.
While working on her thesis about Horseshoe crabs on Cape Cod, Jodi took a part-time job at a dog daycare. It was there that she met Bauer, a mutt who quickly stole her heart. When Bauer’s original family could no longer care for him, Jodi happily adopted him. His behavioral challenges unexpectedly guided Jodi toward a new career. She became a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Dog Trainer. During this time, she transitioned from the daycare to dog walking, cherishing the individual time with each dog. Observing their interactions during group walks further deepened her understanding of their communication and body language. Whether in a class setting or one-on-one, working with dogs and their owners provided Jodi with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Today, she is happily and fully engaged in the world of dogs, though not exclusively.