The Trainers Behind
the Transformations.
A curated referral network for veterinary clinics, daycares, and pet professionals — matched by breed, behavior issue, and training philosophy.
Dr. Mara Okonkwo
CPDT-KA · IAABC
James Callahan
CBCC-KA · Fear Free
Sofia Reyes
CDBC · KPA CTP
Scroll to explore
A 25% acceptance rate
isn't a number we're proud of.
It's the result of four sequential gates that most applicants don't clear. Here's exactly what we check — and why.
Credential Verification
DocumentationEvery trainer submits CPDT-KA, IAABC, or equivalent certifications for independent verification. We cross-reference directly with issuing bodies — no self-reported credentials accepted.
Methodology Assessment
Protocol ReviewA structured 45-minute protocol review with our advisory panel evaluates training philosophy, aversive-free compliance, and approach to behavior modification for specific presentations.
Client Outcome Audit
Data AuditTrainers submit anonymized case records across 12 behavior categories. Our analysts calculate completion rates, relapse frequency, and owner-reported satisfaction scores.
Annual Re-certification
OngoingNetwork membership is not permanent. Every trainer undergoes re-evaluation each February — continuing education requirements enforced, outcomes re-audited, credentials re-verified.
Network by the numbers
Applications reviewed
Since 2022
Active network members
As of Feb 2026
Acceptance rate
Rigorous by design
Annual re-verified
No legacy passes
Acceptance data audited quarterly by an independent advisory board. Last review: January 2026.
214 trainers. Each one
selected for a specific reason.
A sample of the specialists you'll be referring to — with the methodology and outcomes that earned their place in the network.
Dr. Mara Okonkwo
CPDT-KA · IAABC · Fear Free Certified · Chicago, IL
Mara applies a systematic desensitization framework grounded in applied behavior analysis. Her protocol separates trigger threshold mapping from exposure work — clients build a precise behavioral baseline before any counter-conditioning begins.
94% of reactive-dog clients complete the 8-week program
vs. 61% industry average
James Callahan
CBCC-KA · KPA CTP · CSAT · Austin, TX
James runs a protocol-first separation anxiety practice informed by Malena DeMartini's Mission POSSIBLE framework. Every case begins with a structured absence assessment — no generalized plans, no guessing at threshold.
89% of clients achieve 2-hour independence within 16 weeks
Documented via video logging
Sofia Reyes
CDBC · KPA CTP · IAABC Associate · Miami, FL
Sofia's puppy programs front-load socialization science during the critical window (3–14 weeks), then build impulse control through structured environmental enrichment. Vet partners report measurably lower fear-response presentations at 12-month wellness visits.
97% of puppy clients report zero resource-guarding at 1 year
Tracked via follow-up survey (n=312)
Theo Nakamura
CPDT-KSA · IAABC · AKC CGC Evaluator · Seattle, WA
Theo specializes in the behavioral dynamics between cohabitating dogs — resource competition, spatial conflict, and play miscommunication. His intake process maps the household's full interaction matrix before any intervention is designed.
91% reduction in reported inter-dog incidents after 6 weeks
Owner-logged incident tracking
I've sent over forty discharge referrals through Refer this year. Every single trainer knew the dog's diagnosis before the first session. That's not a directory — that's infrastructure.
Dr. Priya Mehta, DVM
Medical Director, Lakeview Animal Hospital · Chicago, IL
What a good referral
actually looks like.
"He finally walks past other dogs without lunging."
A 3-year-old reactive German Shepherd referred from Northside Veterinary Clinic. Matched to Mara Okonkwo's reactive-dog protocol based on breed, trigger profile, and owner schedule. 8-week program. Owner reports zero-lunge walks by week six.
Referred by Northside Veterinary Clinic, Chicago
"I can go to the grocery store without a panic spiral."
A 2-year-old Labrador with documented destructive separation anxiety. Daycare staff at Pawsitive Days referred after noticing the dog's distress during brief owner departures. Matched to James Callahan's SA protocol. 14 weeks to full 3-hour independence.
Referred by Pawsitive Days Daycare, Austin
"We field 'do you know a trainer?' questions twenty times a week. Refer turned that into a two-minute handoff with a breed-matched recommendation."
Marcus Webb
Owner, Summit Dog Daycare · Denver, CO
"The discharge referral cards are already formatted for our checkout workflow. My front desk team uses them without any training."
Dr. Ananya Krishnan, DVM
Clinical Director, Riverside Animal Clinic · Portland, OR
Built for the people
who get asked first.
Veterinary clinics, daycares, and groomers are the first stop for behavior questions. We built the infrastructure to make your answer reliable every time.
Turn discharge conversations into structured referrals.
- Printable breed-behavior referral cards formatted for checkout
- Direct line to trainer for post-appointment coordination
- Quarterly outcome reports for referred patients
- SOAP-compatible behavior notes from trainer post-intake
Answer "do you know a trainer?" in two minutes.
- Behavior-flagging protocol for staff to trigger a referral
- Trainer bios formatted for your lobby display or website
- Shared intake data reduces re-assessment friction
- Partner listing on Refer's network directory
Refer with confidence, not guesswork.
- Handling-difficulty referral pathway with clear intake criteria
- Shelter-to-home transition specialist matching
- Fear Free aligned trainer filter
- Co-branded referral materials available
What's in the Toolkit
Five resources.
Ready to use Monday morning.
- 01
Printable referral cards
8-up per sheet, breed-behavior matrix on reverse
- 02
Breed-behavior matching guide
47-page reference covering 80+ breeds
- 03
Email templates for clinic staff
6 pre-written templates for common scenarios
- 04
Trainer introduction letters
Customizable, clinic-letterhead compatible
- 05
Outcome tracking sheet
Simple 12-week follow-up log for referred clients
Free download. No subscription. Updated quarterly with new breed entries and trainer profiles.
Questions worth asking
before you send a referral.
The Referral Toolkit.
Ready for Monday.
Five resources that make confident trainer referrals the default — not the exception — in your practice.
Printable referral cards
Breed-behavior matrix included
47-page matching guide
80+ breeds, 12 behavior categories
6 email templates
For clinic staff, formatted and ready
847 partner organizations
Downloaded in the last 90 days
Download the Referral Toolkit
Free. No subscription required.