Jamie - owner, trainer and veterinary technician

Hello pet parents and future students I'm so glad you stopped by our page!  My mission when creating B.A.R.K. Institute was to provide a place where pet parents could feel confident leaving their beloved fur-kids.  I decided to bring both of my passions- veterinary medicine and balanced dog training under one roof for a custom treatment and/or training protocol for each set of paws that walks through our doors.

A veterinary technician since 2007 and dog training since 2015, you can rest assured we are equipped to handle just about anything here.  Whether your dog needs medical care while you travel or a training program, this is the place for you.  We pride ourselves on following a balanced training system that sets your dog up for a lifetime of success, while providing you the tools to ensure they remain a reliable K9.

Some of my training passions include: fearful dogs, puppy raising, therapy dogs, animal actors (find some of our personal dogs on the big screen quite often!), competition obedience and protection sports.  My personal dogs enjoy: PSA, rally, barnhunt, nosework, therapy work and acting on set!

Our mission at B.A.R.K. Institute is to be ever-evolving. With that comes a lot of time spent doing continuing education both on veterinary medicine and dog training.  Throughout the year you will find us attending a multitude of seminars and also hosting them right here at our facility.

I cant wait to meet you and your dog, and help you on your journey.

Continuing Education:

"Canine CPR - stabilizing a crashing patient" - Blue Pearl 2024

"Decoding Dog Body Language" mini series 2024

"Canine Aggression diagnostics and solutions"- Paul Ludwig 2024

"Play as a Primary Reinforcer" Paul Ludwig  2024 x 2

Bitework Foundations with Jeff Riccio 2021/2022/2023/2024

"Cooperative Care" Christy Grossman 2024

Working Dog Development - Adrian Rae 2023

Obedience and protection workshop - Dominic Springer 2023

"CPR Success for the K9 Patient" Blue Pearl Specialty 2023

"Foundations for Success"  Ann Quigley and Ben Lepinski  2023

Canemo obedience seminar 2022

 Tarheel Canine Seminar 2021/2022/2023/2024

"The Art of Obedience" Deb Zappia  2021/2022

Stateline K9 handling and protection seminar 2020/2021/2022

 Joseph Cinnante Seminar 2020/2021 (Advanced Canine Systems) 

"Obedience Foundations"  Forrest Micke 2019

NEPOPO seminar Rebecca Weiss 2019

"Engagement Games" Walter Quense 2019

PSA success Jonathan Katz 2018/2019

NEPOPO seminar Justin Rigney 2018

 Mondio Seminar by John Lugo 2018 

 Fred Hassen Seminar 2017 (Sit Means Sit Dog Training)  

"The Art of Attention" Duke Ferguson 2017

 "Precision Obedience" Jersey Devil Working Dog Club 2016 

Quinnipiac University/Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing Graduate I started my professional career in human medical care, procedures, and operations, but it did not take me very long to realize that animal care and training needed to be a part of my professional career, not just a hobby. I switched my focus to pet-care and became a veterinary technician when I realized my passions lay elsewhere. 

I purchased my first competition dog in 2018, and since then, my entire life has been centered around dog sports, medicine, and training. While making the shift to a full-time trainer, I have continuously attended dozens of training seminars, learned and mentored under trainers that inspired me, and always look for opportunities to learn and grow in this ever evolving profession. 

I currently live in Toms River, NJ with my husband, Christopher and our 4 dogs: Lainey (lab mix); Jax (pit mix); Maxwell (Shepinois); and Alcatraz (Dutch Shepherd).

I look forward to helping you teach your dog to be their best possible self, and helping them (and you) be a successful part of their training! 

Hi I’m Chloe! I graduated from Monmouth University with my BSW, during my time at school I interned with two hospice agencies for two years. While interning I helped implement a therapy dog program and realized I wanted to work with dogs as a career. 

When I was 15 I worked as a kennel tech to gain experience around all types of dogs. In 2015 I volunteered my dogs as therapy dogs in nursing homes and assisted livings, which I still do today! I have helped train service dogs, search and rescue dogs, and my own personal dogs have been trained in scent detection. I have fostered rescue dogs and helped train them so that they could have the best life possible with their future owners. I have worked with breeders and trainers over the years to help me become the best handler that I can be for my dogs. 

I have always had a dog in my life, since I was born!

I grew up with two Labrador’s, a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, a pitbull mix and Spanish Galgos. I currently have four dogs; Copo a Spanish Galgo, Missy and Honey our English Labs, and Kane my German Shepherd. I also have Bubs, a rabbit, and Annie, our newly rescued cat! In my free time I enjoy hiking, training my dogs, and dock diving with my Shepherd! 

I am beyond excited to meet you and your dogs! I can’t wait to watch them grow and succeed in their time here!

Hi! My name is Katey and my career as a dog trainer stemmed from my lifetime love for dogs. As a child I spent many of my weekends attending dog shows and could always be found training our family dogs new tricks. My all-time favorite was playing the "Guess the Breed" game as we walked around the arenas. I also had early exposure as a kid to veterinary medicine as my mom worked at an animal hospital where I would frequent and try to learn as much as possible. Once old enough (15) I started riding my bike to the kennel down the street to help clean and care for their animals - that's when I knew I wanted a career in the animal field! I have been professionally training dogs since 2016 while also fostering over 25 dogs/puppies over the years. 

As a trainer, I am extremely passionate about behavior modification, trick training and anxious/insecure dogs. I’m a big advocate for rescue and rehabilitation and always look to support this venture where I can. Over the years I have attended canine psychology seminars and I independently study canine nutrition.

I live on a farm with my husband, Matt, and our plethora of animals! We share our lives with our beloved dogs, cats, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, donkeys, and horses! I currently have 2 shepherds, Leonard and Layka, who I am training to compete in protection sports. Mork, Mindy, and Shrimp are our couch potato pups. 

I am so looking forward to meeting you and supporting your pup in becoming the best version of themselves they can be! See you in class 😊