All of the trainers at It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy, Inc.™ invest time and effort attending training seminars, workshops, and classes throughout the country by world-renowned dog training and behavioral experts. We are dedicated to making your learning experience fun and pleasurable for you and your dog!

Karen Widaman, CPDT-KA, ABCSDT, Certified CGC Evaluator
President, Director of Training
Certified Pet Dog and Service Dog Trainer

Karen is President and Director of Training of It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy, Inc.™

Karen’s dream to become a dog trainer began at 8 years of age when she be-friended a trained German Shepherd guard dog. After that, her journey of owning her own dog training business began.

Karen has obtained her certification as a Professional Certified Pet Dog and Service Dog Trainer through Animal Behavior College. There she was taught learning theory, behavior problem solving, aggression, ethology, puppy development, how to conduct and teach group classes, and how to safely handle and train dogs.

Karen is approved by the Certified Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) and a Certified Evaluator for the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Program. She is also a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), and the Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA).

Karen has spent many hours attending various seminars by renowned dog trainers and behaviorists such as Nicholas Dodman, Ian Dunbar, John Rogerson, Pia Silvani and more.

Her training has helped owners develop a better relationship with their pet. She believes in focusing on the reasons behind animal behavior, in order to improve communication between owner and animal.

At It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy Inc.™, Karen trains dogs in the Board-N-Train program, Behavior Modification program, Off-Leash program and conducts private lessons (at IADW or in-home). Karen also works with several rescue organizations to train and help in the adoption process of rescue dogs.

In her spare time, Karen enjoys working with Southland Collie Rescue, too.


Delaney Nagel
Lead Dog Trainer - Behavior Modification

Delaney's interest and dedication in dog training began when she got and trained a cute Australian Shepherd (Archie) puppy 3 years ago. Delaney started her career in dog training at a dog training and boarding facility by working her way up from cleaning kennels to eventually becoming the lead dog trainer for that facility.

Delaney joined our team at It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy Inc. in April of 2021. Delaney is our lead trainer in our Behavior Modification program. She trains dogs in our Board-N-Train program, conducts private lessons (at IADW and in-home) and trains with deaf and special needs dogs. Delaney also teaches our Puppy Kindergarten group class.

Delaney's fully trained personal dogs, Archie (Australian Shepherd) and Lycan (Malinois) come to our facility everyday where they help with dog training special cases.


Danielle Cooksey
Lead Certified Dog Trainer

Danielle has had many years of experience as a certified dog trainer, as well as a certified dog groomer.
Danielle earned her Master Dog Training Certification from a large dog training company, where she
earned her way up to lead master trainer. Danielle also trained with the Service-Dog’s-In-Training at that
facility.

Danielle joined our team at It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy Inc. in August of 2022 as one of our lead dog
trainers. At It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy Inc. Danielle trains dogs in our Board-N-Train program, Off-
Leash program, Behavior Modification program, Service Dog program, Private Lesson program and our
In Home lesson program. Danielle’s unique ability is working with fearful, anxious, and shut-down dogs
in our Behavior Modification program.


Nova Chrisman
Head Service Dog Trainer
Certified Service Dog & Pet Dog Trainer

Nova has been in the dog training industry for many years. She earned her Master Dog Training
Certification for Pet Dog Training and a certification for Service Dog Training by a reputable and
long-standing large dog training company, where she was their lead Service Dog Trainer.
Nova’s passion is to teach dogs to help people.

Nova joined our team at It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy Inc. in October 2022 as the company’s
Head Service Dog Trainer. Nova also trains dogs in our Private Lesson and In Home Lesson
programs as well as our Board-N-Train programs.

Nova also continues to further her education by attending Service Dog clinics and seminars.


Glenda Welch Pate, CPDT-KA, ABCSDT
Certified Pet Dog and Service Dog Trainer, Certified CGC Evaluator

Glenda has owned and enjoyed animals her entire life. Her interest in training was sparked over twenty-three years ago when she trained her Golden Retriever for field trials. She continued to train dogs for friends and neighbors on a part time basis throughout the years.

She is a Professional Certified Pet Dog and Service Dog Trainer through Animal Behavior College. There she was taught learning theory, behavior problem solving, aggression, ethology, puppy development, how to conduct and teach group classes, and how to safely handle and train dogs. Glenda is our lead trainer for our Intermediate Group Classes and the Canine Good Citizen Program.

Glenda is approved by the Certified Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) and a Certified Evaluator for the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Program.

At It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy Inc.™, she specializes in teaching the group classes for basic, intermediate and advanced obedience, as well as teaching pet owners on a one-to-one basis with their dogs. She has been training dogs with It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy Inc.™ since 2004.

Glenda likes to modify her training methods based on the personalities of the dog and the pet owner to help build a better bond between the two!


Elke Barbao, ABCSDT
Certified Dog Trainer & Certified Service Dog Trainer
CGC & Fit Dog Certified Evaluator

It is only natural that Elke would become a certified dog trainer at some point in her life. She has loved dogs since she was a kid.

Elke has worked with various rescues and has successfully trained her personal Malinois dogs.

Elke earned her professional dog training certification for pet dog training and service dog training from Animal Behavior College.

At It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy Inc. Elke teaches basic obedience and works with reactive dogs in our private lesson program. Elke also facilitates one of our basic obedience group classes, Intermediate group classes, and Canine Good Citizen Prep for the dogs that are going through our Service Dog Program.


Odona Ngai, ABCSDT
Certified Dog Trainer, Certified Service Dog Trainer

Odona has had a passion for dogs her entire life. She trained her own dogs and took the next step by
study and application in dog training.

Odona earned her professional dog training certifications for pet dog training and service dog training
from Animal Behavior College. There she was taught learning theory, behavior problem solving,
aggression, ethology, puppy development, how to conduct and teach group classes, and how to safely
handle and train dogs.

At It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy Inc., Odona teaches puppy kindergarten and basic obedience in our group
class programs. Odona also assists in our intermediate and CGC prep for the service dogs in training.


Jackie Schart, CPDT-KA
Certified Pet Dog Trainer

Growing up in a house that served as a safe haven for animals of all types, it’s no surprise that Jackie, a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and so much more, chose an animal hospital for her first place of employment. After her first job with animals, she knew her calling involved furry friends.

She currently works at a local animal shelter where she moved up the ranks, beginning as an animal adoption counselor, then animal behaviorist, and finally kennel supervisor. Her love for animals carries over into her free time, where she competes with her Saint Bernards at AKC conformation events. She has been breeding and showing her champion St. Bernards for over a decade, and helps with her favorite breeds rescue foundation called ADOPT A SAINT. In addition to showing the large breed, she enjoys traveling the country to exhibit dogs and has recently been invited to sit on the panel of judges for The Tournament of Champions in Mexico City.

Jackie and her Saints have worked with many Hollywood studio animal trainers and her Saints have been featured in many print campaigns, music videos, and TV work. Jackie has dedicated her life to helping educate the public on dogs, safe dog handling, husbandry, and leading people to have happy lifelong relationships with their dogs

At It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy Inc.™, Jackie teaches our conformation classes on the first and third Thursday at 7p.m. Think your dog has what it takes to be a show dog…come check out her fabulous class for free!