Image Description: Klarissa crouching down on a trail with a little black dog.
Image Description: A selfie of Klarissa in front of a pond.
Image Description: A selfie of Klarissa with a mini Golden Doodle.
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Klarissa Simpson (They/Them)DOG BEHAVIOR & WELLNESS CONSULTANT.
Hi, I’m Klarissa — dog behavior consultant, educator, and full-time advocate for dogs being dogs. I work with humans who want more for their dogs than “well-behaved.” My clients come to me because they believe their dogs are sentient beings with their own needs, preferences, and ways of communicating — and they’re ready to listen. My work blends behavior consulting, wellness support, and programs like Tails to Trails — all grounded in pain-aware care, positive reinforcement, and deep respect for dogs’ natural behaviors (and the natural world). I don’t have a string of letters after my name — and in this industry, that doesn’t mean much. Dog training is unregulated, and many of the most visible “credentials” reflect politics more than standards. What I do have is a deep, ongoing commitment to learning, a practice grounded in continuing education, and a fierce dedication to science, ethics, and compassion. My work is especially informed by studies in neuroplasticity and chronic pain — because understanding how dogs feel is inseparable from understanding how they behave. If your dog has ever been called “stubborn,” “reactive,” or “too much,” you’re in the right place. I’m not here to pathologize your dog. I’m here to help you meet them. |
I am continually striving to build upon my knowledge and understanding of dogs, to date
Klarissa has attended or completed:
The Chronic Pain Symposium (Canine Arthritis Management) - April 2025
Neurobiology of Relaxation (Behavior Vets) - November 2023
Effects of Nutrition on Inflammatory Conditions that Impact Behavior (Behavior Vets) - Nov 2023
Selecting Drugs for Pain Trials (Behavior Vets) - November 2023
Movement of the Canine (Galen Myotherapy) - November 2023
Introduction to Massage & Visual Assessment (Galen Myotherapy) - October 2023
Identifying Discomfort in Dogs - (Behavior Vets) - October 2023
LIFE Webinar Dr. Eduardo Fernandez & Shelter Playgroup Alliance (June 2023)
Canine Arthritis Management Advocate (Level One) - May 2022
Reconciliation in Animal Welfare Symposium (RAW) - January 2022
Conference Unleased - Nov 2021
The Secrets Behind Proper Canine Exposure to Novelty Webinar (Debbie Martin) - August 2021
Control is an Illusion Pt. 2 (Tromplo) - March 2021
Socialization MAP (Suzanne Clothier) - January 2021
Raw Dog Food Nutrition Specialist (DNM University) - April 2020
Control is an Illusion, Pt 1 (Tromplo) - February 2020
Advanced Animal Training (Karolina Westlund) - January 2020
Nosework - Pt. 1 (Tromplo) - January 2020
BAT 2.0 Self-Study -(Grisha Stewart) - December 2019
Pet Nutrition Coach Certified (North American Veterinary Community) - September 2019
Ferrets: A Primer (IAABC) - May 2019
Introduction to the Neuroscience of Behaviour (Simply Behaviour) - January 2019
Skills for Handling Your Reactive or Hyperactive Dog (Low Stress Handling University) - January 2019
Absolute Dogs Pro Dog Trainer Certified - December 2018
Negative Punishment, Negative Reinforcement and the Humane Hierarchy (PPG Webinar) - July 2018
Canine Nail Care: Creating Cooperative Care Through Training (PPG Webinar) - July 2018
Applied Behaviour Analysis Accredited Practitioner Course - July 2018
Defensive Handling with Aggressive Dogs (IAABC) - July 2018
Principles of Dog Training (Good Dog Academy) - January 2018
Crucial Concepts in Dog Training and Behavior (Dunbar Academy) - June 2017
Canine Body Language (Good Dog Academy) - December 2017
Evolution of the Dog (Good Dog Academy) - December 2017
Science Based Dog Training (with Feeling!) (Dunbar Academy) - October 2017
Reliability and Games Workshop (Dunbar Academy) - October 2017
New Concepts in the Treatment and Prevention of Dog Aggression (Dunbar Academy) - July 2017
Simple Solutions for Common Dog Behavior and Training Problems (Dunbar Academy) - July 2017
Klarissa has attended or completed:
The Chronic Pain Symposium (Canine Arthritis Management) - April 2025
Neurobiology of Relaxation (Behavior Vets) - November 2023
Effects of Nutrition on Inflammatory Conditions that Impact Behavior (Behavior Vets) - Nov 2023
Selecting Drugs for Pain Trials (Behavior Vets) - November 2023
Movement of the Canine (Galen Myotherapy) - November 2023
Introduction to Massage & Visual Assessment (Galen Myotherapy) - October 2023
Identifying Discomfort in Dogs - (Behavior Vets) - October 2023
LIFE Webinar Dr. Eduardo Fernandez & Shelter Playgroup Alliance (June 2023)
Canine Arthritis Management Advocate (Level One) - May 2022
Reconciliation in Animal Welfare Symposium (RAW) - January 2022
Conference Unleased - Nov 2021
The Secrets Behind Proper Canine Exposure to Novelty Webinar (Debbie Martin) - August 2021
Control is an Illusion Pt. 2 (Tromplo) - March 2021
Socialization MAP (Suzanne Clothier) - January 2021
Raw Dog Food Nutrition Specialist (DNM University) - April 2020
Control is an Illusion, Pt 1 (Tromplo) - February 2020
Advanced Animal Training (Karolina Westlund) - January 2020
Nosework - Pt. 1 (Tromplo) - January 2020
BAT 2.0 Self-Study -(Grisha Stewart) - December 2019
Pet Nutrition Coach Certified (North American Veterinary Community) - September 2019
Ferrets: A Primer (IAABC) - May 2019
Introduction to the Neuroscience of Behaviour (Simply Behaviour) - January 2019
Skills for Handling Your Reactive or Hyperactive Dog (Low Stress Handling University) - January 2019
Absolute Dogs Pro Dog Trainer Certified - December 2018
Negative Punishment, Negative Reinforcement and the Humane Hierarchy (PPG Webinar) - July 2018
Canine Nail Care: Creating Cooperative Care Through Training (PPG Webinar) - July 2018
Applied Behaviour Analysis Accredited Practitioner Course - July 2018
Defensive Handling with Aggressive Dogs (IAABC) - July 2018
Principles of Dog Training (Good Dog Academy) - January 2018
Crucial Concepts in Dog Training and Behavior (Dunbar Academy) - June 2017
Canine Body Language (Good Dog Academy) - December 2017
Evolution of the Dog (Good Dog Academy) - December 2017
Science Based Dog Training (with Feeling!) (Dunbar Academy) - October 2017
Reliability and Games Workshop (Dunbar Academy) - October 2017
New Concepts in the Treatment and Prevention of Dog Aggression (Dunbar Academy) - July 2017
Simple Solutions for Common Dog Behavior and Training Problems (Dunbar Academy) - July 2017
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