About

Dr. Spark is co-owner at Instinct Portland. She has over 45 years of experience helping people solve problems, meet learning goals, and achieve positive change. With a PhD in psychology, a background in counseling, adult education and group facilitation, and multiple dog training qualifications, Dr. Spark has extensive experience helping individuals and families with dog behavior problems, and training dogs for family life, service work, and animal-assisted therapy. She is passionate about improving quality of life for dogs and people.

Dr. Spark is a certified dog behavior consultant through the International Association for Animal Behavior Consultants and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

"Her work is rooted in the twin intentions of helping dogs to live well in the human world, while helping people to understand and satisfy their dogs' natural instincts."

Background & Approach

Dr. Spark founded City Dog Country Dog in 2007 with the twin intentions of helping dogs to live well in the human world, while helping people to understand and satisfy their dogs' natural instincts. The annual Call of the Wild Dog Camp and other nature retreats that she originated and organized for over a decade created a community of dog and nature enthusiasts, and made breed-friendly outdoor activities available to a wide range of people and dogs.

In 2018, Dr. Spark partnered with Dr. Chris Pachel to co-found Instinct Portland, expanding the mission of her previous company. She now serves as Director of Behavior and Training, overseeing in-home services, supporting the behavior team, and mentoring new trainers. Although she no longer provides in-home behavior consulting, she enjoys connecting virtually with prospective clients, helping to align services with needs through Discovery Calls. She also offers Heartline consultations, another virtual service that provides support to those facing difficult decisions, loss, or grief related to their animal companions.

Beyond the Clinic

Caroline lives mostly on rural property near the Central Oregon coast, with her partner and an energetic Australian Cattle Dog, a feral barn cat, and 20 chickens. In her free time, she loves hiking in the forests around her home, gardening with the chickens, knitting, and spending time alone by the river.