ABOUT
Here at Heeling House, we're passionate that dogs can change the world, one kid at a time. Our professionally trained therapy and service dogs do life-changing work, and on more than one occasion we've seen the unique bond between humans and animals achieve what otherwise seemed impossible.
OUR TEAM
KATHY BENNER
Executive Director
Kathy Benner, CPDT-KSA (Certified Pet Dog Trainer, Knowledge & Skills Assessed) is the founder, executive director and training director of Heeling House. She has a formal education in animal behavior, and 24 years of hands-on experience working in the industry. She has a BS in Biology from California Polytechnic State University and a Certificate in Exotic Animal Training and Management from Moorpark College.
Kathy spent five years training marine mammals at Sea Life Park in Hawaii, and started her first dog obedience company, Clever Canines, in 1996. She moved to Virginia in 2000, worked as a technician at a busy animal hospital, and then opened The Animals' House, a successful dog daycare and training center, in 2001.
Kathy has designed and implemented behavior modification and training programs for dolphins, sea lions, seals, penguins, primates, hyenas, mountain lions, Bengal tigers, parrots, llamas, horses and dogs. For the last seven years, Kathy has worked full time training therapy dogs, teaching therapy dog training classes, and collaborating with Physical, Occupational and Speech and Language therapists to provide animal assisted therapy to hundreds of children in our community. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer, a part of two Pet Partners registered therapy animal teams, and a registered AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator.
.jpg)
ASHLYN COHILL
Training Program Director
ABC Certified, AKC CGC Evaluator, CPDT-KA
Ashlyn has been with Heeling House since 2018 as a volunteer and part time trainer. In 2021, Ashlyn moved into a full time role where she is responsible for business and program development. She has a B.S. from Salisbury University, with a degree in Biology. After college, Ashlyn worked in the biotechnology field for many years before discovering dog training. She has always loved dogs and animals, but when her own fearful reactive dog joined her family, Ashlyn discovered the importance of socialization and training. Ashlyn continues to educate herself on emerging dog training movements for reactivity and dog behavior.
Currently, Ashlyn’s duties involve oversight of the business plan, development of the service dog programs, and implementing innovations across programs. She teaches private lessons and group classes for CGC prep, Community Canine, Tricks and Games, Rally Obedience, and Scent Work. Ashlyn is a certified dog trainer through Animal Behavior College and a registered AKC evaluator. She is married to her very understanding partner and currently has two dogs – an Italian Greyhound named Bandit who is a titled Advanced Trick Dog, FastCat (BCAT) and Canine Good Citizen. A Standard Poodle named Shirley Temple assists Ashlyn in classes and lessons. Shirley is an accomplished dog with AKC titles for Advanced Trick Dog, Rally Novice, FitDog, and Canine Good Citizen.