Our Team
Our team
Portland's
Premier Dog
Behavior
Professionals
Premier Dog
Behavior
Professionals
You and your dog have unique needs and goals. Our team of certified behavior consultants, trainers, and a board-certified veterinary behaviorist listens first — then builds a plan that actually works for your individual dog.
Get to know our team below — each team member card links to their full bio, certifications, and specialties. You'll be amazed at what you and your dog can achieve.
Dr. Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB
VP Veterinary Behavior · Co-Owner · He/Him/His
Board-certified veterinary behaviorist and co-owner of Instinct Portland. Dr. Pachel earned his DACVB certification in 2010 through the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and is an internationally recognized lecturer, educator, and expert witness. His medical expertise means complex behavior cases are never just trained around — they're truly understood.
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Caroline Spark, PhD
Co-Owner · She/Her/Hers
Co-owner of Instinct Portland with a PhD in psychology and 45+ years of experience helping people and dogs. Dr. Spark founded City Dog Country Dog in 2007, co-founded Instinct Portland with Dr. Pachel in 2018, and served as Director of Behavior and Training until late 2025. Today she focuses on internal team mentorship and coaching, and offers virtual Heartline consultations for people facing difficult decisions, loss, or grief with their animal companions.
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Kaysha Rogers-Schuler
Director of Behavior & Training · She/Her/Hers
Full-time Certified Behavior Consultant specializing in fear, anxiety, reactivity, and dog sports. BSc Animal Science, Oregon State. Certified Dog Parkour Instructor with IDPKA.
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Taylor Snead
Director of Operations · Trainer & Behavior Consultant · They/Them/Theirs
Director of Operations and certified behavior consultant with Instinct since 2022. 8+ years experience including shelter work. Thrives on complex behavior, especially aggression.
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Jennifer Malawey
Trainer & Behavior Consultant · She/Her/Hers
Specializes in puppy raising — worked with hundreds of puppies during their critical early months. Also a Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer. Honors graduate of The Academy for Dog Trainers.
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Poppy Higgins
Trainer & Behavior Consultant · She/Her/Hers
Full-time trainer with 10+ years experience. Offers in-home private consultations, home school programs, and puppy camps. Has collaborated extensively with a veterinary behaviorist on complex cases.
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Kirah Collins
Trainer & Behavior Consultant · She/Her/Hers
Professional dog trainer and behavior consultant with a BS in Animal Behavior. Specializes in high-drive dogs and leash reactivity — avoidance, hyper-vigilance, freezing, and restlessness. Experience with Search & Rescue dogs.
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Stephanie Collingsworth
Trainer & Behavior Consultant · She/Her/Hers
28 years helping dogs and their humans. Brings experience from private coaching, shelter work, and the Animal Behavior Clinic of Portland. All about turning chaos into connection — with a few laughs along the way.
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Claire Giesige
Trainer · She/Her/Hers
Part-time trainer offering in-person, virtual, and home school coaching. Specializes in service dog self-training, puppies, adolescents, and everyday manners. Trained guide dogs with Guide Dogs for the Blind and Occupaws for over a decade.
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Beth Davidson
Trainer & Behavior Consultant · She/Her/Hers
6+ years with dogs including 5 years in shelter environments in Central Texas. Specializes in complex behavior — aggression, fear, anxiety, and reactivity. Science-based approach rooted in a BS in Biology.
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Ciera Moberg
Behavior Consultant · She/Her/Hers
Behavior consultant at Instinct San Diego working across breeds and temperaments with dogs, cats, and their guardians on difficult behavior. Background in shelter and behavior-clinic work; has contributed advice to The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Guardian.
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Stephen Lewis
Trainer · He/Him/His
Part-time certified trainer offering in-home consultations, private lessons, and home school programs. Specializes in reactivity, life skills, and building lasting relationships between dogs and their families.
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Connor Johnston
Client Service Counsellor · He/Him/His
Your first point of contact at Instinct Portland. Connor ensures smooth communication, clear scheduling, and quality service for every client. Nearly 20 years in the pet industry — animal care, retail, and veterinary support.
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Interested in joining the Instinct Portland team? Contact Us to Learn More
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