Valerie is a full-time dog trainer at Instinct East Harlem. She provides training consultations, private coaching, and home school programs for clients living in Manhattan. Valerie has years of experience working with NYC dogs and owners; she regularly helps clients navigate behavior issues including fear, anxiety, and reactivity, and also enjoys helping dogs with life skills, manners, and puppy development. Valerie has completed her Fear Free certification and holds multiple certificates from Karen Pryor Academy; she is sitting for her CPDT-KA certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in Spring 2022. Valerie is a compassionate, dedicated teacher who loves tailoring her approach to meet the needs of each individual dog and owner. While she loves and appreciates dogs of all types, she has a special affection for blocky-headed pups and for teensy Chihuahuas, having had two of her own – Mia and Phoenix – growing up.