Behavior & Training / Adoptions / Foster / Animal Care Team
Born in Alameda, California and having lived up and down the west coast her whole life, Brittney considers herself a true west coaster and an islander at heart. No matter where life has taken her, something has always drawn her back to the beautiful San Juan Islands, where she has lived for many years with her beloved animals and now a proud parent of a university student.
Whether they were p in her path or she in theirs, Brittney has been rescuing wounded or wayward animals for as long as she can remember. Her experience spans from a broad history of various animal care and rehabilitation work from domestic, to wildlife, to rescue, she has led a life dedicated to the welfare of animals. However, in years, she has found her true calling in helping rescue dogs.
Brittney has been working at the Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor (APS-FH) for over 5 years. While she excels in all aspects of animal care, her primary focus has become dog behavior, enrichment, and training. She is particularly interested in specializing in fear, aggression, and separation anxiety, and is deeply committed to enriching the lives and mental well-being of those who find the shelter to be their temporary home.
As a member of the adoption team, she prides herself in providing support to adopters and their companion animals both before and after adoption—through consultations, training and behavior guidance, or lending items that set families up for success. She also strives to provide support to the community in an effort to keep animals in homes or be there for resources, recommendations and counseling during difficult times.
Through her dedicated work and support from the shelter, Brittney was accepted into the prestigious Jean Donaldson’s Academy for Dog Trainers, where she is earning her Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC). This rigorous, world-renowned two-year program emphasizes science-based, reward-focused training methods to produce elite, successful dog trainers. Her tuition was fully funded through a combination of a 50% Rescue and Shelter Scholarship from the Academy and a 50% grant from the Bradley Family Foundation.
Brittney is also working towards receiving her Canine Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) certification from the NACSW (National Association of Canine Scent Work) through sponsorship through the SJI K9 Detection Club, led by certified dog trainer, Lisa Holt. Under Lisa’s mentorship, Brittney assists with classes and currently instructs nose work courses for the APS-FH Education Center and the SJI Canine Detection Club. She also teaches Puppy Einstein, Puppy Nose Work, and Island Sheep Ball classes through the APS-FH Education Center.
Anyone who has had the opportunity to see Brittney work with dogs, knows that she is naturally gifted. With her growing expertise and continued education, the shelter is proud to have her on their team and looks forward to her continued development as a trainer, as well as continuing to educate and support the APS-FH animal care team in providing the best possible care for shelter dogs. Her passions and desire to help shelter and rescue dogs is contagious and her empathy towards people and their love for their pets is unwavering. Brittney is deeply grateful for all the support she has received and feels honored to be part of this community—a place where she truly feels she belongs.