Meet Our Fabulous Training Instructors!
Melissa Sowa–Scent Work Instructor
Melissa stumbled upon the dog training world when she acquired a German Shepherd Dog as a pet and possible agility dog. She fell in love with training and the various canine activities she discovered, which inspired her to pursue an education in all things dog. She began to attend a wide variety of training seminars, watched countless training DVDs, read a ton books, and competed in many different dog sports.
Through this journey, she fell in love with K9 Nosework and has spent the last several years learning, competing in, teaching, and judging the sport. She and her dog Vader competed in the NACSW (National Association of Canine Scent Work) Nationals and were the first Pittsburgh area team to earn their Elite Championship.
She is a certified AKC Scentwork judge, is an active Search And Rescue (SAR) team with Vader, is a SAR instructor, and a certifying official for SAR teams. We are so excited to have her heading up our Scent Work classes at SJC!
“So Melissa, what’s your favorite thing about teaching people and their dogs Nosework?”
There is nothing greater than seeing the happiness of owners as they see their canine friend improve. The owners get so excited when those first lightbulbs go off and the dog gets it! I also love getting to watch the dogs who struggle with fear or reactivity issues play this game! They build confidence and it improves the communication and relationship of the team in such a unique way! Something so simple as nosework can improve things so much even with dogs who struggle with behavior challenges!
Lilian Akin, CPDT-KA–Basic Manners Classess
Lilian Akin is both a Certified Behavior Consultant for Canines (CBCC-KA) and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) through the CCPDT. She got her start in dog training in the early 90’s through volunteering and later working at local shelters and rescues including Animal Friends, the Western Pa Humane Society (now HAR), the Animal Rescue League (now HAR), the Butler County Humane Society, the Greene County Humane Society, and Hello Bully. She has recently been consulting with the Senior Pet and Animal Rescue for both dogs and cats. She has taught classes at Animal Friends, the Western Pa. Humane Society, and a local vet office. She has been doing in home dog training and behavioral counseling for the last 20 or so years.
She shares her life with a lovely group of cats and her dog Athena. We are absolutely thrilled to have Lilian join the SJC team to teach Elementary Manners and Puppy Kindergarten classes!
“Hey Lilian, what’s your favorite thing about training with Athena?”
It’s fun watching her make connections through training! I love when the lightbulb finally goes off and she knows what I’m looking for and she confidently repeats the behavior! I find myself feeling closer to her and more connected when I am actively training her to do something and it is great for our relationship.
