Meet Our Team
Joann Hughes, CPDT-KA
Owner/Lead Trainer
Joann is owner of Pawsitive Pet Behavior, llc. She has been certified since 2004 by the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers -- the only national certification program for professional dog trainers. CCPDT requires 300 hours as a lead instructor in order to sit for the exam and re-certification every 3 years. Joann is proud to have achieved and maintained her certification. Joann is also pet CPR certified and Fear Free trained.
Joann provides in-home behavior modification for cats & dogs. Read more about Joann & her animal assistants.
Sarah Hussong, RVT
Trainer/Registered Veterinary Technician
Choosing a career in animal care was easy for Sarah. For years, her family actively fostered for a local shelter and inspired her love of animals. She began working at the same shelter in 2000 and held many positions during her nine years including animal care technician, adoption counselor, veterinary assistant, foster & trainer. Sarah was especially drawn to training and behavior modification to help dogs on the adoption floor become well-mannered and ready for their fur-ever homes. In 2009, she had the exciting opportunity to travel out of state to work with Service Dogs and Urban Search and Rescue which was incredibly rewarding. Sarah has had many years of training experience with a variety of dogs. Sarah earned her Veterinary Technician degree in 2016, is pet CPR certified and Fear Free trained and is currently accumulating hours to enable her to sit for the CPDT certification exam. Sarah provides in-home training & behavior modification for dogs.
Megan Schmitt, CPDT-KA
Trainer
Megan Schmitt is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and proudly holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from University of Findlay. She has gained invaluable experience at a daycare facility training pets and helping them succeed in play groups and socialization. She also has had previous experience working at a rescue as an adoption coordinator - which led her to rescuing her own pup!
She has a passion for helping pets and owners live a harmonious life through positive reinforcement. When she is not working with her clients, she is caring for her own two dogs and two cats. She recently has become active in a dog club where she attends classes and is finding sports her own dogs enjoy. She strives to provide enrichment for all her animals. Notably, hiking with her cat! Megan sees private clients in the Northern Miami Valley and does Puppy Preschool & Puppy Socialization classes.
Genevieve Habib, VSA-CDT
Genevieve is a Certified Dog Trainer who graduated from Victoria Stilwell Academy. She also has been a Veterinary Receptionist since 2018 and previously offered pet sitting services. She has rescued multiple dogs who have had they own challenges which led to her passion for providing training, enrichment and behavioral modifications to meet the needs of dogs and their humans.
Genevieve’s goal is to help pet owners provide a safe, loving and positive environment for their pets to be successful in their daily life. She thoroughly enjoyed her schooling through VSA and has attended multiple behavioral conferences for dog trainers over the past few years. Genevieve has had the privilege of helping her vet clinic introduce more Fear Free and positive reinforcement techniques and is excited to transition to helping clients in a training capacity.
Genevieve provides in-home training in the South Dayton area.
Chelsea (Chels) has a Bachelors degree in International Relations and has volunteered with Americorps & animal shelters. She is a long time animal lover, professional dog walker, pet sitter and training apprentice. She comes to us with experience in two dog daycares, boarding kennels, an animal hospital where she gained experience givings dogs & cats medication and helping disabled dogs. She has many years of experience working with dogs, cats and some small critters like guinea pigs, rats and hamsters. She has had the pleasure of working with multiple dog trainers on dog behavior and rehabilitation. Chelsea provides pet sitting & dog walking and is Fear Free trained and pet CPR certified.
Andrea (Andie) Girard - Pet Sitter
Hi! I’m Andie. I’ve been an animal over for as long as I can remember. I have 2 dogs and 2 cats who are treated like they are my children. I know the stress of having to leave a pet at home when you have a meeting or go on vacation and the worry of who you can trust while you are away.
I have experience giving subcutaneous fluids, injections and have given medications to both dogs and cats. I look forward to meeting you and your pets and taking care of your pets like I care for my own. Nothing gives me more joy than spending time with animals! I am thrilled to be working with Pawsitive Pet Behavior. I have known & respected Joann’s talent in animal training for over 20 years.