Staff Profile

Phaedra

Training Apprentice

I worked at The Anti-Cruelty Society as an Animal Care Specialist before transferring into the Development Department. During my time there I was known for being able to handle the strongest/largest dogs with ease! I would handle dogs during puppy parties, off-site adoption events, and dog showcases where we would bring some of the longer stay dogs to get exposure and help get them adopted.

Brutus, my 9-year-old Rottweiler who I've had since a puppy. He is my biggest baby, a goofball, and still acts like a puppy!

Lexxi, my 7-year-old pit bull mix who I rescued when she was about 2 years old. She is literally the sweetest girl!

I also have two cats, Niko and Athina, who I love dearly. They are both around 7 years old.

I've taken Brutus to multiple training classes from basic obedience to behavior modification, and have used all the knowledge I acquired to train Lexxi.

I love all dog breeds but I definitely have a soft spot for the bigger babies! My favorite breeds would have to be Rottweilers, pit bulls, Cane Corsos, and mastiffs.

I mostly love spending quality time with my family, friends, and animals. I enjoy doing yoga, drawing, and spending time in nature. I also love all types of music and enjoy seeing artists perform live. I love trying new foods and exploring the city!

To become a dog trainer specializing in behavior modification of all kinds, but specifically cases with bite history/aggression. I am passionate about helping dogs and their owners build a strong bond with each other based on trust and understanding through methods of positive reinforcement. I would also love to help dogs in rescues and shelters in the future by working through any behavior issues to help increase their adoptability.

Besides learning as much as I can about dog behavior and psychology, I also enjoy philosophy, science, music, math, and art.

Harold Washington College with an Associates Degree in Science (Mathematics)

I played the violin for several years and won most musically-talented in high school! Also, I was born in Athens, Greece and after graduating high school in Chicago, I moved back to Athens for a few years where I attended the University of Athens Department of Mathematics. After moving back to Chicago, I was a math tutor for several years tutoring advanced college level courses such as trigonometry, calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra. I truly loved tutoring and finding ways to get students to understand concepts they were struggling with in their courses!