Elycia is our Practice Manager and a CPDT-KA Certified Professional Dog Trainer, an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, a member of the Central Florida Force-Free Trainers Network, and an active volunteer at shelters and rescues across Central Florida. It’s Elycia’s passion and pursuit to strengthen the relationships between pets and their guardians by fostering better communication between them without the use of pain, fear, or intimidation.

After an early start training her family’s Labrador, Dakota, in elementary school, Elycia began training professionally at eighteen years old. And Elycia will forever be grateful for her Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Hannah, who started her journey of reward-based training and was the most gleaming, joyful example of the power of kindness and patience.

Elycia received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida. At the same time, Elycia fostered—then adopted—Ginger, a fearful Rottweiler mix, who was transformed with force-free training under the guidance of Leah Roberts, Elycia’s mentor, and has now been Elycia’s demo dog for over a decade! Elycia’s newest addition, Cypress, is a 2-year-old Malinois/German Shepherd who is training for sports like disc, dock diving, and scent work.

After working as a Lead Trainer, Veterinary Assistant, and Office Manager for over 13 years, Elycia and Alex’s paths have crossed again at Peach on a Leash after first meeting at an event over 7 years ago. The rest is—and continues to be—fun, effective, reward-based training history!