Evelia Rivera, CPDT-KA is the owner/trainer of PAWsitive Approach, LLC. She graduated from the University of Bridgeport with a bachelors degree and then worked at the Maritime Aquarium from 2006 to 2016 where she became a marine mammal trainer and worked with sea turtles, seals, meerkats, etc. Many of her skills come from the need to learn and the need to benefit so others can equally benefit. Moreover she has experience involving: volunteering at Horse of Connecticut, past member of Beardsley Zoo chapter of American Association of zookeepers ( Past co- secretary), Therapy dog training since 2012, a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator since 2015, Behavior Coordinator at a local shelter since 2016, a supporting member of IAABC, a professional member of the APDT, and a CPDT-KA certified trainer. She has been a conference presenter twice at a International Marine Animal Trainer Association (IMATA) discussing sea turtle training as well as lionfish handling and conditioning. For fun she enjoys clicker training cats!
Born in Bridgeport, Ct she grew to love and respect animals during family trips to the Connecticut Beardsley Zoo and her dream was to work with marine life or horses! In between her work she's a busy mother-of-two Ariel and Caleb and of course her fur babies.
Resume:
Pets for Vets
Dog Trainer (December 2018-current)
PAWsitive Approach, LLC-Shelton, Ct
Owner/Dog & Cat Trainer
Connecticut Humane Society- Westport, Ct
Behavior Coordinator (November 2016-June 2021)
Therapy Dog Trainer (December 2018-December 2021)
AaTs-Animal Assisted Therapy Services
Dog Trainer/Program Administrator (January 2013-August 2020)
Petco, Fairfield CT
Petco Dog Trainer/sales expert (September 2012-January 2014)
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Norwalk, CT
Aquarist/Trainer (2006-2016)
Skills and Activities
Born in Bridgeport, Ct she grew to love and respect animals during family trips to the Connecticut Beardsley Zoo and her dream was to work with marine life or horses! In between her work she's a busy mother-of-two Ariel and Caleb and of course her fur babies.
Resume:
Pets for Vets
Dog Trainer (December 2018-current)
- Looking for matches for veterans who do not qualify for a service animal but looking for a companion
- Conducts evaluations in shelters looking for pets for veteran program
- Conducts home visits for veterans where the pets will be living and giving advice for any changes that may be needed for accommodating a pet.
PAWsitive Approach, LLC-Shelton, Ct
Owner/Dog & Cat Trainer
- Conducts group and private lessons with pet owner
- Works at shelters helping with training staff, volunteers, and shelter animals
Connecticut Humane Society- Westport, Ct
Behavior Coordinator (November 2016-June 2021)
- Provide enrichment and training for shelter animals
- Create training plans and conduct behavior modifications
- Assess pets coming into the shelter to determine proper placement
- Coordinate volunteer schedule and training
- Provide staff training
Therapy Dog Trainer (December 2018-December 2021)
- Assessing potential pets to join Roars therapy program
- Preparing owners and pets for visits to hospitals, schools, public areas
AaTs-Animal Assisted Therapy Services
Dog Trainer/Program Administrator (January 2013-August 2020)
- Processes client registration
- Coordinate training schedule
- Teaching basic training classes that consists of helping pet parents train their dogs to sit, down, stay, come, and loose leash walking. Also “Real World” class, and CGC Preparation classes
- Canine Good Citizen instructor and elevator
- Assist with behavior modification
- Instructor with canine therapy. Teaching students the basics of canine training commands while developing a bonded relationship with their canine teammate
- Worked with two of the facilities dogs do update their Delta status
- Refreshing commands such as sit, down, touch, long stay, long sit
- Worked with both dogs to reduce barking while passing other dogs
- Side-walker during therapy riding lesson, helping students with disabilities bond and feel comfortable with sitting on and doing exercises on a horse.
Petco, Fairfield CT
Petco Dog Trainer/sales expert (September 2012-January 2014)
- Completed Petco's Dog training course
- Promote and conduct dog-training classes within PETCO
- Consult with owners/customers in solving training and behavioral issues in a positive manner
- Instructed group Dog Training classes
- Provide behavior information and support to class students.
- Cashier
- Customer service
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Norwalk, CT
Aquarist/Trainer (2006-2016)
- Created and put into effect sea turtle training protocol and turtle enrichment program
- Created intern training program for aquarist department
- Mammal Trainer-seals, otters, Meerkats
- Preparing diets for various marine and exotic animals
- Daily monitoring and maintaining of tank filtration
- Testing, monitoring, and adjusting of water quality
- Collaboration with other departments for design and construction of new animal exhibits.
- Culturing Seahorses
- Maintaining exhibit appearances for public viewing as well as for proper functionality
- Administration of medication to animals via baths/dips, oral, topical, and injections
- Experience working with all types of Fish (salt & fresh water),Crustacean, Elasmobranches,
- Performed basic plumbing
- Public speaking often performed
Skills and Activities
- PPG-(Pet Professional Guild)-Feline Committee (November 2021-Current)
- PPG-(Pet Professional Guild)- Member (April 2021-Current)
- APDT-Membership Committee ( February 2021-Current)
- Animal Behavior College Mentor
- CPDT-KA Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Accessed.
- Supporting member of the IABBC Canine Division
- APDT Professional Member
- AKC Good Citizen Evaluator
- IMATA Presenter 2016- Lion fish training presentation
- IMATA Presenter 2013- Turtle training presentation
- Past member of AAZK (American Association of Zoo Keepers)
Sarah is a graduate of Animal Behavioral College. She’s been a full time pet groomer at Doggie Styles for over 7 years, and prior to that was a manager at Choice Pet Supply. Sarah grew up idolizing and assisting her aunt who was a professional obedience trainer for many years. She is also a United States Army Reserve Veteran. She consistently furthers her education through books, seminars and programs to stay up to date in order to serve her clients better in obedience and behavioral issues. She is certified in Training Shelter Dogs as well as Pet Nutrition.
Sarah was inspired by her own rescue Harper to reach out and help others have the best relationship possible with their animals.
Kristyn is an experienced dog and cat trainer. She began her career in the animal shelter field where she assisted in implementing behavioral modification techniques. She then went on to educate herself in the medical field where she gained her license as a Veterinary Technician in the state of New York. She has continued to expand her knowledge by completing the CATCH Canine Trainers Academy Master Class as well as obtaining her certification through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers-Knowledge Assessed.
She continues to share her love of animals through private training and through volunteer work at the Humane Society of Westchester. Her spare time dedicated to fulfilling the needs of her Tortoiseshell cat named Layla.
She continues to share her love of animals through private training and through volunteer work at the Humane Society of Westchester. Her spare time dedicated to fulfilling the needs of her Tortoiseshell cat named Layla.
