Meet Our Team
Emily Bracken - Head Trainer/Owner
Emily has over 16 years of experience in dog training. She began her career as a puppy raiser for Canine Companions, where she discovered her talent for working with dogs and helping owners address behavioral challenges. In 2012, Emily purchased Dog Lovers Obedience School from Pat Lacy. She is committed to ongoing learning, regularly attending seminars and workshops to stay current. Emily specializes in behavior modification, puppy training, remote collar training, and therapy dog preparation. She believes in a balanced approach, using positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior and gentle correction when needed.
Emily lives in Powhatan with her husband and two dogs ( Chef the Clumber Spaniel and Zena German Shepherd). When Emily isn't training dogs, she loves to travel and try new restaurants.
Grace Bakeman - Admin and Training Assistant
Grace has a strong foundation in animal behavior, beginning as a competitive equestrian during her undergraduate years. She later earned her Master’s degree in Animal Science, focusing on behavior and welfare, which continues to guide her training approach today. Grace is a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and is currently completing the Certified Trick Dog Instructor program to broaden her skills.
Grace focuses on conformation and dog sports with her two Portuguese Water Dogs and loves grooming, building strong foundations, and confidence building for dogs who need support in new or challenging situations. She is dedicated to ongoing learning and enjoys helping dogs and their owners grow as a team.