Meet your Guide

Our Story

While completing her Honors Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology, Sydney was inspired by the study of social systems and the human condition. Her degree offers her a unique perspective on the sociology of companion animals and our lives with them. Throughout her university career, Sydney worked as a dog groomer, professional dog walker and pet sitter. She was also an active foster mom to rescue dogs in need for a rescue throughout her time in university. Throughout the years, she fell in love with and successfully adopted out many of those foster dogs before her adventurous spirit drew her westward to British Columbia where she worked for a private dog walking and pet sitting company and a group dog play care facility.

Sydney spent a few years travelling the world, all while remaining immersed in the science of dog behavior, avidly reading books and attending behavior seminars with professionals and academics in the industry. Since settling down with her partner in Kimberley, BC in 2019, Sydney gained new insight into dog behavior as an Animal Care Attendant at the BCSPCA. In 2022, Sydney completed the LEGS Family Dog Mediation Professional course. In 2023, she became a Licensed member of the LEGS Sheltering Division. After 3 years dedicated to compiling relevant training hours and sitting for the 3 hour Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) exam, Sydney received her official certification titling her as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA).

Sydney’s mission is to bring her clients high quality and compassionate dog behavior support. Her work is informed by years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of dog behavior through multiple scientific lenses. Her passion has been cultivated through her time spent playing, running and living beside dogs. Paws in Harmony is a love letter to Sydney’s first rescue dog, Hemi, a senior dog Sydney adopted from Bow Valley SPCA at the age of 10 in 2020.

When not nerding out over new dog behavior conferences and seminars, Sydney can be found indulging in a good trashy reality show, wandering mossy forests and practicing mindful movement. She is also an active member of the LEGS community and devotes her volunteer time to helping organize The Lucas Legacy Fund. She shares her cozy home with her beloved partner and their 10-year-old rescue cat, Freddy, who, if asked, would tell you “No. Mom is NOT allowed to get a dog. How dare you suggest that.”

Professional Certifications and Education