About Us

Beautiful photo by:

Stephanie Beausoleil, CBCC-KA Owner, she/her

Stephanie is a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant and has been a dog training instructor since 2011.
Her journey began in college when she took an intro to Psychology class and fell in love! She continued to study the psychology of learning and got her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2011. She began an internship at the Prison Pet Partnership while still in school, where she spent 3 years learning the ins and outs of training mobility service dogs, therapy dogs, and pet dogs, too. Meanwhile, she also completed an apprenticeship to become a dog training instructor for basic obedience. In 2015 she passed her exam and earned her certificate as a Certified Pet Dog Training Instructor-Knowledge Assessed through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. She has since also received her Behavior Consultant Certification through the same organization.

Stephanie has experience with many types of training issues including (but not limited to): basic obedience, socialization and enrichment, potty training, therapy dog training, service dog training, emotional support dog training, fear, aggression, reactivity, high prey drive, separation anxiety, inappropriate nipping/herding behaviors, and even bite cases.

Jean Whitehead, MBA, CPDT-KA

She/her

Jean has been crazy about critters since childhood and put her passion into action graduating from Moorpark College's Exotic Animal Training and Management Program. Her degree was put into use professionally with a wide range of animal species in zoos, aquariums and for TV and movie work. Her life has been full of pets as well, including snakes, cats, birds and of course dogs. Since 1994 she has been helping families and their dogs build lasting, loving relationships through reward-based training. For more than 20 years she has taught thousands of classes and worked individually with people and their pets on a wide range of subjects from prepping for puppies to reactive and aggressive dogs. Jean believes in setting people and their pets up for success utilizing positive reinforcement methods working with the abilities and goals of the family to resolve behavioral issues and develop connections between pets and their people. She has been involved personally in many aspects of the dog world, as an active rescue volunteer for over 25 years, showing dogs in confirmation, titling dogs in obedience and agility, and raising litters. Jean's family includes a gaggle of three golden retrievers who can often be seen helping with classes and lessons.
Jean is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed.

Beautiful photo by:

Risë Windell at Windell Portraits

Gabz Puz, Certified Trainer

She/her

Gabz has been working professionally with dogs for over sevenyears! Her first Dog Job was at a dog daycare and training facility in Ellensburg, Washington. This was Gabz's first introduction to reading dog body language, defensive dog handling skills, and of course, the magical world of Reward-Based dog training. In 2019, Gabz underwent testing and earned the title of Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge-Assessed (CPDT-KA).

Since earning her certification, Gabz has been coaching human+dog teams in group classes, one-on-one sessions, and even in digital form through Zoom. While Gabz has logged thousands of hours working with teams on a wide range of subjects, some of her favorite topics include puppy training, leash reactivity, aggression, resource guarding, and Canine Good Citizen Prep. Gabz is also a Clicker Trainer at heart, but is also happy using verbal markers! Gabz lives with her three cats, two dogs, and one husband. She is excitedly beginning her journey in training for dog sports with her one and a half year old Groenendael, Rizzo.

Beautiful photo by:

Risë Windell at Windell Portraits

John Amadeo, MBA, MA,

Apprentice Trainer, CATCH Graduate

He/Him

John brings 32 years of professional experience teaching, coaching, mentoring and training. His time and energy are now focused on helping canine owners and their dog companions live better together. John began his new adventure with dogs while completing his studies through CATCH Canine Trainers Academy and while simultaneously volunteering at the Joint Animal Services of Thurston County in Olympia, WA and Paws for Purple Hearts in Lakewood, WA. His work with shelter and service animals helped to solidify his understanding and appreciation for Reward-Based dog training. John continues to work towards the title of Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge-Assessed (CPDT-KA) with his canine companion- Ranger, a three-year old Redbone Coonhound from Eugne, OR.

Sustainability & Safety

Cleaning Procedures

At Notre Dog Academy, we follow veterinary-grade cleaning procedures. All waste is cleaned immediately with solid waste being flushed and liquid waste mopped with a veterinary-grade cleanser. We use Rescue brand products because they are safe, fast-acting, and environmentally friendly. Read more about them HERE. The floors are mopped nightly and all other surfaces and kennels sprayed and wiped down. Any bedding and toys are also washed nightly. Once per month, all floors and surfaces are deep cleaned using a bleach solution.

Environmental Impact

In addition to being a cutting-edge training center, Notre Dog Academy is also committed to using environmentally friendly practices in every way we can. We are the only Dog Training Center in Pierce County to be certified environmentally friendly by EnviroStars. Every decision on products we use, places we support, and ways we do business is made with sustainability in mind. Our website is hosted by a green hosting service. All paper products are sustainably sourced, and all garbage bags and poo bags are compostable. We get many of our products through Grove or we buy locally to support other eco-friendly, local companies. We are always open to new ways to be environmentally friendly so feel free to send me ideas at info@notredog.com! See a list of products and services we use HERE.

Training & Education

All certified trainers at Notre Dog Academy have been assessed by at least one third-party international organization that certifies professional dog trainers. They have also completed the PetSaver™ Pet CPR, First Aid & Care course. Our trainers only use training methods that are backed by science and follow the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive Effective Behavior Intervention Policy (LIMA).

LIMA training is associated with the lowest occurrence of avoidance, aggression, attention-seeking, and fear in dogs. Training that does not follow LIMA can cause unintended side-effects that can be detrimental to your dog's behavior, relationship with you, and even their health.

Certifications and Associations

About Us - Notre Dog Academy

Stephanie Beausoleil, CBCC-KA Owner, she/her

Jean Whitehead, MBA, CPDT-KA

She/her

Gabz Puz, Certified Trainer

She/her

John Amadeo, MBA, MA,

Apprentice Trainer, CATCH Graduate

He/Him

Sustainability & Safety

Cleaning Procedures

Environmental Impact

Training & Education

Certifications and Associations