There is a kinder, calmer, and more ethical way to life with dogs

Hello, we're Julia and Stevie, the human and the dog behind Unleashing Kindness.

After a successful career in advertising, I turned my energy toward matters of the heart. A lifelong animal lover, it wasn't until my Bordoodle girl Stevie joined our family that I realized I'd had the whole dog training thing backward.

What must come first is a relationship built on psychological safety. Once you get there together, cooperation follows naturally.

My approach emphasizes choice, calm, and confidence. I see dogs not as automatons to program, but as family members and eager learners shaped by their environment, biology, and experience.

They're intelligent, sentient beings we have more in common with than not.

I recognize behavior as communication, and dig into the "Why?" before starting any training. That means looking at the dog holistically and identifying the contributing factors and underlying causes, instead of just telling them to shut up.

Behavior modification or suppression without that analysis is at minimum problematic, and at worst dangerous.

Whether you're setting your puppy up for a confident, happy life or working through a challenge, I can help.

If you're curious about a kinder approach, I'm here with no judgment about past methods. I've been there.

My Qualifications

Certified Nordic Dog Trainer
Certified Sensory Enrichment Coach
Associate Member of the PDTE (Pet Dog Trainers of Europe)
In progress: Foundational Postural Analyst (Galen Myotherapy)
In progress: Calming Signals Specialist, studying directly under Norwegian dog trainer legend Turid Rugaas, likely the only dog trainer ever to receive a badge of honor from a king. I consider her the Jane Goodall of dogs.

My Promise

I will always keep learning so you and your dog benefit from the most current, science-based methods.

I will use only kind, ethical training — never force, fear, pain, or intimidation.

I will recommend safe, comfortable equipment that lets dogs move freely to support healthy musculoskeletal development and maintenance.

I will always put your dog’s emotional and physical wellbeing first.

I will be honest about what we can achieve together: no quick fixes, no false promises.

I will collaborate with vets and other professionals when needed.

I will treat every dog and every person with empathy, patience, respect, and—above all, always—kindness.

A dog with gray and white curly fur lying on a pink quilted couch next to a black cat with yellow eyes.

I am a certified Nordic Dog Trainer by the Nordic Education Center for Ethical Dog Training

I'm an Associate Member of the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe and uphold the organization's code of ethics

I am currently getting certified by Turid Rugaas as Calming Signals Specialist

I am working on my certification as Foundational Postural Analyst by Galen Myotherapy

I have successfully completed Karen Pryor’s Puppy Start Right For Instructors course.