Kindness is a virtue.
Getting to Know Us
Erica Pashia
Welcome! My name is Erica Pashia and I am the owner and head trainer for The Kind Canine. I am a certified dog trainer (CPDT-KA®, ABCDT, Fear Free® Certified) and have raised and worked with many wonderful dogs throughout the course of my life. From an early age, I was fascinated and intrigued by animals and animal behavior as a whole. When I rescued my first dog as an adult - who also came to me with several behaviors of concern - I became fully entrenched in dog training strategies, philosophies and how to better communicate with my new canine companion, thus beginning my journey as a professional dog trainer!
Eric Pashia
I'm Eric Pashia and I've been working professionally with dogs since 2020, specializing in addressing reactivity, aggression, and resource guarding concerns. My journey into dog training began a few years before that in 2018 when Erica and I adopted our dog Nia. Her reactivity challenges with other dogs and people were the launching point for me to discover the tenants of effective behavior modification: learning to keep a student dog’s welfare and positive learning experiences front and center. Those early lessons formed the basis for my training today, where I use a force-free, rewards-based approach to create a behavior modification plan. For me, dog training isn't about changing the dog and calling it good—it's about listening, providing for their needs, and fostering their growth in a fun and supportive way.
Rachelle Hein
My name is Rachelle Hein, and I’ve been a certified veterinary technician (CVT) since 2003, and a certified dog trainer (ABCDT) since 2010. I joined the team at The Kind Canine in November 2022.
I’ve been a huge behavior nerd for my entire career, and love discussing all things dogs and training! I’m most passionate about puppy training (get those little buggers off to a good start!), cooperative care, and helping fearful dogs learn to navigate this big, scary, world of ours.
I live with three amazing dogs, Australian Shepherds Misha and Rowena, and Kevin Tran, the border collie/whippet/spaghetti noodle. We spend our free hiking and snuggling on the couch with a good book.
Noelle Green
My name is Noelle Green, I joined The Kind Canine team in March 2023. I have owned a variety of dog breeds from extra small to giant!
I’ve worked in the industry as a veterinary technician and discovered how much I loved training the Boxer I had at that time. I became very passionate about training and started the journey to learn as much as possible about dog behavior.
I would spend time after hours at the animal clinic working with the rescue pups on foundational skills while they awaited their foster homes. I also have a passion for teaching puppy classes, helping both pups and their owners develop a pawsitive foundation to build on.
I currently have two rescue pitbull mixes and can be found outside enjoying a variety of activities with them in my free time. I am also enrolled in the Victoria Stilwell Academy to become a certified dog trainer (VSPDT).
Kelsea Gagnon
My name is Kelsea, and I’ve been educating myself to train dogs since I was 16 years old. My journey of helping dogs started when I was a kid. I would have lemonade stands and donate the money to the animal shelter.
When I turned 16 I was finally old enough to volunteer walking dogs. This is when I started getting really passionate about training and where my education began. I would train the dogs on our walks and loved seeing the progress and helping these pups get ready for their forever home. I would research everything I could to best help these dogs. I did this until I got into the veterinary field.
I was a Vet tech for 6 years and during that time I also worked with multiple rescues training dogs that would board with us when the rescues were full. Being a vet tech started wearing heavy on my heart but I knew I had to continue working with dogs. This is when I started dog training and I haven’t looked back.
I’m extremely passionate about working with dogs and am constantly educating myself further to be the best trainer I can be. I’m currently finishing up at the Victoria Stilwell Academy to become a certified dog trainer (VSPDT) so that I can continue helping dogs in a professional capacity!
Find out how our team can help you
How does dog training work?
Dogs do not come pre-wired with human language skills (though most of us certainly wish that they did). They need gentle guidance, patience and consistency on the part of the human to learn new behaviors as well as unlearn less desirable ones. Using ethical and humane training methods without the use of fear, pain or force, we can effectively teach our dogs any variety of skills. Whether it’s something as complex as how to appropriately greet guests when they enter the home or something as simple as teaching a “sit”, we can help facilitate and implement a training plan to help you reach your goals!
At The Kind Canine, we appreciate and respect your dogs for who they are and will meet them “where they are at”. We use up-to-date methods for behavior modification while preserving and BUILDING what is most important - A thriving, happy relationship with your dog.
“The Treatment Plan”: What is it?
Summaries of sessions
Training sessions are typically 60-90 minutes long and cover a LOT of material. Don’t fret about remembering all of the details - let us take care of that for you by providing you with a concise, written summary of each session!
Homework
Who spends every day and night with your dog? That’s right - YOU DO! You are your dog’s first and best trainer. We will provide coaching and custom-tailored homework specific to your dog’s goals to be completed between sessions.
Links to Resources
During our training sessions, we will discuss things like equipment, training strategies and enrichment ideas in addition to citing specific canine research and relevant information for your specific dog. The treatment plan lets us house live links to all of these awesome tools!
Helpful advice/tips
We’re here to help! If there are certain strategies or techniques that prove to be helpful for us while working with your dog, we will attach that information to the treatment plan for your reference. If you are struggling with certain aspects of training, we will provide the written feedback that you need in order to grow with your dog!