About Our Trainers
Our Mission
Our Mission is to provide education, compassion, patience, knowledge, and kindness to humans and their dogs alike.
We believe in you and your dog and know that with our guidance you can achieve your training goals and learn to live in harmony with your furry family member.
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We promise to respect your time and financial investment. We will create a training plan that will provide ethical, welfare-based care for your companion.
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Meet Christy – Founder & Lead Trainer at Jolly Dog Training​
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Christy’s journey to dog training started on the ice—literally. She spent years traveling the world as a professional figure skater before accepting a contract at Busch Gardens in Florida. It was there that Christy’s lifelong passion for animals met opportunity. Working full-time while studying animal behavior, she began preparing for her professional dog training certification—and never looked back.
In between skating contracts, Christy dedicated her time to animal rescue and worked hands-on in a Florida animal shelter. There, she gained experience with dogs facing fear, anxiety, aggression, and other behavior sensitivities. It confirmed what she always knew: she was put on this earth to help dogs and their people build lives of trust, understanding, and unbreakable bonds.
Now with over 10 years of experience training dogs of all breeds and backgrounds, Christy holds multiple certifications and is committed to ongoing education in the field of behavior and training. Her philosophy is rooted in empathy, strengthening bonds, and the belief that every dog-human team deserves to have the information needed to thrive together.
Christy is especially passionate about keeping dogs in their homes—knowing that most shelter surrenders happen due to behavior issues that can be addressed with the right support. That belief led her to found Jolly Tails Animal Sanctuary, a registered nonprofit rescue dedicated to helping neglected and abandoned dogs (specializing in northern breeds and wolf dogs) and giving back to the community.
At home, Christy is surrounded by her husband, Tim, and their beloved rescue dogs:
Lumen (16, Husky) 2009-2025
Keela (15, Lab mix) 2011-2025
Zayn (10, Husky mix)
Teegan (8, malamute mix)
Jax (4, Husky mix)
Bindi (1, Husky)
Silas (1, Husky/Shepherd mix)
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Each one has taught her something unique—and continues to inspire her work every day.
Meet Victoria
Certified Dog Trainer
Hi, I'm Victoria, and I'm excited to share my journey with animals. I began my career as a veterinary assistant, where I developed a strong foundation in patience and empathy. Today, as a certified dog trainer, I focus on building confidence and trust between dogs and their families. I am also an apprentice guide dog mobility instructor, where I'm learning to shape dogs into partners who provide freedom and support to individuals with vision loss. Above all, I am passionate about the powerful bond between people and their dogs.
Meet Megan
Dog Trainer & Puppy Raiser
Hi, I’m Megan! I’ve loved dogs for as long as I can remember and spent much of high school and college volunteering at animal hospitals and shelters. Those experiences taught me the importance of patience, compassion, and hands-on care. Today, I share my life with Whiskey the goldendoodle and Brandy the standard poodle, who continue to teach me creativity, joy, and the value of building strong bonds through training.
I’m also raising Rosie, a guide dog puppy with Dogs Inc. I’m helping her build confidence and good manners so she can one day provide independence for someone in need.
I enjoy exploring dog sports with my own pups, including nosework, agility, and dock diving. I am especially passionate about confidence building and canine fitness. My philosophy is rooted in kindness, consistency, and teamwork. I believe every dog deserves to feel supported and every family deserves to feel confident.
Meet Leila
Certified Dog Trainer
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Hi everyone! I’ve had a passion for animals for as long as I can remember — from picking up strays to raising and training dogs for working careers. Prior to turning my focus onto dog training and working with their humans, I spent a lot of time working in the veterinary field with a focus on reproduction and neonatal care. This experience provided me with a solid foundation in empathy and furthered my compassion for animals. Today, as a certified dog trainer, I focus on building the bond and trust between every human-dog pair through kindness, consideration, consistency, and teamwork. I believe it is crucial to support dogs living in a world built for humans. I am also an apprentice guide dog mobility instructor, in which I train dogs to provide hope and freedom to individuals with vision loss. I look forward to working with you and your pup and supporting both of you through this journey!
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Meet Madison
Dog Trainer
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Madison, a California-born, longtime Tampa resident, grew up rescuing retired racing greyhounds, a gentle breed that sparked her lifelong love of dogs. Her passion for training began later, while working alongside trainers at a local pet store. That experience inspired her to join a dog daycare and lodging facility, where she gained hands-on experience with dogs of all breeds and temperaments.
After two years, Madison moved into the non-profit sector at Southeastern Guide Dogs (now Dogs Inc.) in Palmetto, FL. Starting in the kennels, she spent two years studying canine behavior before earning an apprenticeship under a seasoned guide dog mobility instructor.
For three years, she trained guide dogs for visually impaired individuals, refining her expertise in advanced training and behavior modification. Madison later joined Zoom Room to explore dog sports and pet training, and after a rewarding year there, she’s excited to bring her experience to the Jolly pack—helping pet parents build positive, lasting bonds with their dogs.
