Meet the Team
Each of our trainers are experts in the field. They hold multiple dog training and behavior certifications from world renowned trainers, behavior consultants, and certified behaviorists.
Joseph Ryan
(CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, PMCT-1, VSA-CDT, FFCP)
Joe specializes in behavior modification with a focus on reactive and aggressive behaviors. He’s studied under Pat Miller at Peaceable Paws, Victoria Stilwell, and world-renowned aggression expert Michael Shikashio, and The College of Scent Dogs.
His knowledge of canine behavior, mixed with his force- and fear-free training philosophies, puts him among the most sought-after trainers in the region. He’s placed on Sniffspot’s Best R+ Trainers in DC list in 2022 to 2026.
Joe has great working relationships with many of the region’s veterinary behaviorists and regularly integrates their training plans with his own, ensuring seamless care for his clients.
A Maryland native, he studied environmental sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. While he didn’t set out to become a dog trainer, he discovered the profession after starting out as a dog walker with Patrick’s Pet Care.
He calls training “the perfect fit” because it lets him help people learn about their dogs as individuals and give them the best quality of life. Joseph’s goal is to help people become the guardians and advocates that their dogs need.
Joe lives with his own four dogs — Sevro, Impa, Cali, and Tala — and cat, Jiji in Silver Spring. When he’s not working, he’s out somewhere on our region’s roads, relaxing on his motorcycle, or enjoying his car on the track.
Nikita Poe
(CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, PMCT-2, VSA-CDT)
Certified through the Karen Pyror Academy, Pat Miller’s Peaceable Paws Academy and Victoria Stillwell Academy; Nikita has been a trainer since 2019 that started with her fascination in understanding animal behavior .
Nikita's passion is helping puppies build confidence in their environments and the human world they live in. She follows the AVSAB position statement to socialize puppies safely and healthily, helping guardians find this balance as the puppies grow.
Nikita offers puppy socialization classes on the weekends and in-home sessions covering basic manners, adolescent behaviors, welcoming a new puppy, leash manners, family bonding and strategies for having fun with your dog. Nikita strongly believes that dogs are part of our family, and working with people to develop or deepen these bonds is very rewarding for her.
Originally from South Africa, a country with a diverse and friendly culture, Nikita values connections with her clients and enjoys meeting people from all walks of life. She currently lives in Washington DC with her Guinea Pig, Kirby. His favorite treats are carrots and veggie-flavored oxbow treats. He is under her training to free roam in the house and he is working on some recall behaviors in case he wanders.
In her spare time, you can find Nikita watching anime, doing puzzles, taking a long bike ride or talking endlessly about animal and Pokemon facts.
Ian Kilgore
(CPDT-KA, PMCT-2, FPPE, FFCP, CGC Evaluator)
Ian has been training dogs professionally since 2019, but his fascination with them started in childhood. He has studied under Pat Miller at Peaceable Paws, most recently attending the Behavior Modification and Canine Cognition academies. He specializes in on-leash reactivity and life skills.
Ian got his start in the pet industry 14 years ago at a local dog daycare, and he's had multiple roles and experiences in the profession since then. In addition to being a certified trainer, he’s also an AKC-certified Canine Good Citizen evaluator and offers CGC testing and preparation classes.
As a trainer, Ian’s goal is to help dogs live more fulfilled, happy, and enriched lives by giving their people the tools to better understand, communicate and bond with them. Besides helping others learn about their dogs, Ian says that the way dog training requires continual learning on his part makes it a rewarding profession.
A lifelong Marylander, Ian lives with Logan, a 4-year-old pit/shepherd/lab mix who loves scent work, training, and romping on a long line. Together, they hike around the region and go on adventures. In his downtime, Ian also plays the guitar and listens to music.
Kimana Merrill-Reschke
(PMCT-3, VSA-CDT)
A certified trainer through the Victoria Stilwell Academy and Peaceable Paws, Kimana has been working with dogs since 2017. She excels at reading subtle canine communication and finding common ground, helping dogs and their guardians truly understand each other.
Kimana is particularly passionate about supporting dogs and humans navigating trauma or complex behavioral challenges. Grounded in empathy and mutual understanding, her approach adapts training to fit your actual daily lifestyle—reducing frustration and opening up new possibilities for your life together. Whether she’s using precise behavior modification or getting creative with play, singing, and puppet shows, she does whatever it takes to build a dog's confidence and spark a connection.
Her deep fascination with behavior and adaptability comes naturally: as a military child, she grew up moving between distinct cultures around the world—from Japan to Colorado—learning early on how to observe, adapt, and build bridges across differences.
When she’s off the clock, Kimana is an avid birder who starts every morning with a cup of coffee with her neighborhood’s feathered residents. She also loves outdoor sketching, mountain biking, and gardening.