Our Team
Scott Taylor, Co-Founder & Head Trainer
Scott’s passion for dogs has been a driving force throughout his life. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served on active duty for nine years and continues to serve honorably in the U.S. Army Reserves.
During his military career, Scott gained valuable experience working with military working dogs before advancing to the role of Drill Sergeant. The discipline, leadership, and operational expertise developed during his service have become the foundation of his professional approach to dog training.
Transitioning his lifelong passion into a career, Scott has spent several years as a professional dog trainer, helping countless families build stronger relationships with their dogs through effective, results-driven training. His expertise spans obedience, behavioral rehabilitation, and Search & Rescue, where he has played an active role in developing dependable working dogs.
Scott is also a graduate of the American K9 Interdiction Academy, earning certification as a Detection and Patrol Dog Trainer. His extensive experience, combined with his commitment to excellence, enables him to provide practical, reliable training solutions for both companion and working dogs.
Alison Taylor, Co-Founder & Head Trainer
Raised in rural Australia, Ally developed a lifelong passion for working dogs and animals from an early age. That passion has grown into a career dedicated to helping both dogs and their owners build stronger, more fulfilling relationships.
Alongside her career as a paramedic, Ally spent her free time training dogs and assisting owners with behavioral challenges, obedience, and livestock work. Before relocating to the U.S.A, she competed in conformation showing, and trained personal protection dogs.
Today, Ally predominantly works on anxiety management, personal protection, odor detection, and SAR (Search & Rescue). Her calm, methodical approach and commitment to education help clients achieve lasting, real-world results with their canine companions.
Vanessa Pettite, Manager/Consultant
Vanessa began her journey in dog training at the age of 16 while volunteering at a local animal shelter. Although her initial goal was to help dogs become adoptable, she quickly developed a love for working with complex behavioral cases, frequently fostering and rehabilitating challenging dogs in her own home.
Driven by a desire to deepen her understanding of canine behavior, Vanessa pursued mentorship under an experienced animal behaviorist, where she expanded her expertise in canine body language, behavior modification, and building trust through respect for a dog’s individual boundaries and communication.
With more than 15 years of experience training and handling dogs, Vanessa has established herself as a highly skilled behavior management specialist. She works extensively with fearful, reactive, and aggressive dogs, helping owners overcome behavioral challenges and build stronger, more confident relationships with their dogs. In addition to working directly with clients, she is passionate about mentoring and educating fellow dog trainers, sharing her knowledge and experience to elevate industry standards.
Vanessa’s dedication to dogs extends beyond training—she is committed to improving the lives of both dogs and their owners by creating lasting, positive transformations. Her compassionate yet practical approach has helped countless families achieve greater harmony and confidence with their pets.
Outside of her professional work, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her family and continuing to train and develop her own dogs. She is based in Central Tennessee, where she continues to serve clients and support the dog training community
Michael Knight
Michael has been professionally training dogs for the past five years, specializing in puppy development, obedience training, and anxiety management. He is particularly passionate about working with rescue dogs, approaching each case with patience, empathy, and a methodical training style tailored to the individual needs of every dog.
A United States Marine Corps veteran and author, Michael also holds a Master’s degree in Communication. His diverse background has equipped him with exceptional leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills, allowing him to build strong relationships with both dogs and their owners.
When he’s not helping clients achieve lasting results with their canine companions, Michael enjoys spending quality time with his family and pursuing his passion for writing fiction.
Sarah Grizzle
At a very young age, Sarah's parents instilled compassion towards animals in need. Any dog or cat found without a loving home was always brought in and given care and shelter, until a new home could be found. As Sarah got older, her capacity for care did not change, but her capabilities did!
Sarah began fostering for rescues and helped rehabilitate behaviorally troubled dogs through obedience training. Sarah helped guide these foster dogs through the behaviors that made them less adaptable, into finding their forever homes.
As a trainer, Sarah's passion remains with the dogs whose spirits have been broken.
Sarah understands that obedience is a staple in keeping troublesome dogs with their right family and forever home. Sarah strives to guide these dogs back to a where they enjoy life, and where their family can enjoy them. Her commitment to keeping pets with their families is evident in her work with difficult cases, but her passion for preventing undesirable behavior before it ever manifests into an issue is what keeps her busy day in and day out with behavioral management training.
Josh Grizzle
Josh has worked alongside his wife, Sarah, for the past several years, playing an integral role in the rehabilitation and training of dogs enrolled in the behavioral management program. His calm, patient approach and hands-on experience have made him an invaluable part of helping dogs and their owners achieve lasting success.
An experienced trainer, Josh excels at educating clients and empowering them with the knowledge and confidence to maintain their dog’s training long after returning home. His philosophy is simple: the most successful training occurs when owners become active participants in the process. By equipping families with practical skills and ongoing guidance, he helps ensure lasting results and stronger relationships between dogs and their owners.
Outside of dog training, Josh is an avid homesteader who is passionate about helping others achieve a more self-sufficient and fulfilling lifestyle. His dedication to teaching, whether in canine behavior or homesteading, reflects his commitment to equipping people with the tools and confidence to succeed.
Alexxas Nieves
Alexxas brings several years of experience in the pet care and dog training industry, beginning her career in a high-volume boarding facility where she was responsible for the care and well-being of more than 100 dogs at a time. Her exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and calm, methodical approach have become defining characteristics of her work.
As a trainer, Alexxas is committed to creating clear and effective communication with every dog she works with, building trust and understanding to achieve lasting results. She specializes in puppy development and advanced obedience training while continuing to expand her expertise in behavioral rehabilitation and working dog disciplines through ongoing education and hands-on experience.
Known for her compassionate nature and dedication to every dog in her care, Alexxas is passionate about helping dogs and their owners build strong, lasting relationships through balanced, practical, and results-driven training methods.
In addition to her training expertise, Alexxas is bilingual and proudly serves both English- and Spanish-speaking clients, ensuring clear communication and an exceptional experience for a diverse range of families.