Rachel Gay
Behavior Consultant
FDM
I have loved animals as long as I can remember, but dogs have always held a particularly special place in my heart.
There hasn’t been a time in my life when dogs weren’t at the center of it, and at a young age I began training my family dogs and taking opportunities volunteering at a local animal shelter after school. A year after graduating high school, when I was 19 years old, I brought my beloved golden retriever, Dexter, home and began working to train him as an Autism Service Dog. This experience changed my life in more ways than one, and the passion for dogs I always had quickly evolved into a dedicated journey to become a professional Dog Behavior Consultant. I began my education as an apprentice under Kim Brophey, completing a comprehensive two and a half year internship with a focus on understanding behavior through the lens of Applied Ethology. These years were filled with hours of learning the course curriculum, reading and analyzing a number of books and other resources, extensive shadowing, and attending dog behavior conferences. I became one of the first Family Dog Mediators, and had the privilege of helping set up and attend the L.E.G.S conferences at Wolf Park as a part of The Dog Door team.
After completing my schooling with Kim, I went on to work at The Dog Door Behavior Center in Asheville, NC for a little over a year. During my time there I took every chance to work with a wide range of dogs and people alongside Kim Brophey and Angie Cook, honing my consulting skills and continuing to absorb the invaluable knowledge both of them shared with me.
In 2023 I began working as a self-employed consultant and trainer, taking cases that ranged from helping dogs learn life skills like impulse control through emotional regulation, to handling more complex dynamics involving aggression and fear. Using critical analysis I help families find sustainable and practical solutions to the challenges they face with a massive emphasis on welfare and compassion. I believe that quality of life for everyone involved comes before anything else, and I make it my mission to provide individualized, science based plans and strategies to fit each family’s needs and affordances.
Working in an ever evolving field, I understand the importance of continued education, and in the pursuit of knowledge, prioritize learning from other experts, taking courses, reading books and articles, and generally staying up to date on the latest science pertaining to dog behavior. In 2024 I joined the Canine Cohesion Behavior and Enrichment Center team, and am excited to be working alongside other professionals that share the same passion and dedication to providing high quality assistance to dogs and people.
Certified Family Dog Mediator
Family Dog Mediator
Aggression in Dogs Master Course
Michael Shikashio
Complex Aggression (human, dog, other species, reactivity),
Fear,
Anxiety,
Separation Anxiety,
Trauma,
& Service/Therapy Dogs
Meet My Dog
Dexter:
7 year old English Cream Golden retriever
This is Dexter, my soul dog. I brought him home when he was 9 weeks old and it was love at first sight! Dexter is incredibly smart, has a wicked sense of humor with a side of sass, and is one of the kindest, most gentle dogs I’ve ever met. Dexter is trained as an Autism/Psychiatric Service Dog, and is one of the major reasons I pursued a professional career in this field. He opened the door to a life I never dreamed was possible, and showed me I was capable of so much more than I ever could have imagined. Dex is a sensitive goofball with a heart of gold, and the ability to connect and engage deeply with those around him. Everyone who has met us knows that Dex and I are a package deal, and where one of us goes the other follows! He has taught me and continues to teach me so much about life, myself, and the beautifully complex nature of dogs in a way that has forever changed my view of the world.
Hobbies: Swimming, hiking, landscaping (digging), playing with all his dog buddies, shredding cardboard “presents,” rolling in dirt, carrying his babies around (stuffed toys), running through tall grass like a maniac, and being the best sidekick anyone could ask for
Rambo (Bobo):
10 yearish Chihuahua
Rambo became a part of the family a little over a year ago, and instantly won my heart. He’s what I would describe as a sensitive spitfire. An incredibly intelligent observer, Bobo is a dog that moves through life with discernment…(except that one time he decided to live up to his name and boldly chase a bear out of our yard barking, which about gave me a heart attack). While he loves a good outdoor adventure, sitting on a warm lap, or napping in a sunny spot on the porch, his favorite activity is “baking” (which is laying under a blanket pressed up against me on the couch or in bed). Bobo also loves his brother, Dexter, and the two of them make the most adorable duo you’ve ever seen. With his wonky leg, beady eyes, oversized ears, and lovable personality, Bobo manages to win the hearts of everyone he meets.
Hobbies: “Baking”, cuddling, pooping on vertical surfaces, sunbathing, eating cat poop, sitting on laps, rolling in stinky things, exploring the great outdoors, and barking death threats at squirrels