Veronica Sanchez is a recognized expert in service dog training. She founded the Service Dog Coach Certificate™ program and authored Service Dog Coaching: A Guide for Pet Dog Trainers. She has over 30 years of experience helping people train service dogs and addressing complex behavior challenges with pets. Veronica is a frequent speaker, writer, and educator for professional organizations including the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the Pet Professional Guild.
Professional Experience
- Trained service dogs for clients with complex mobility, hearing, neurological, and mental health needs, including a dual-purpose guide-mobility dog.
- Worked with non-profit service dog programs and coached owner-trainers.
- Helped thousands of pet owners with various behavior challenges and training needs, from basic manners to aggressive behavior.
Credentials
- Master’s in Education & Bachelor’s in Psychology, George Mason University
- Certificate in Brain Research in Education (Washington University / NIH sponsored)
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
- Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC)
- Certified Cat Behavior Consultant (CCBC)
Personal Connection
Veronica’s passion for service dogs is both professional and personal. She has generalized dystonia and trained her own dogs as service dogs. She enjoys training in multiple activities and has titled several dogs in Rally Obedience. She lives in Vienna, Virginia with her husband, Ken Oberle, and her collies, Linus and Bennie.
Professional Highlights
- Conferences & Speaking: APDT Conference 2021, PPG Geek Week 2020–2021, IAABC 2006, PAWS Service Dogs 2004, Invited speaker, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms – Front Royal Canine Training Center, 2010
- Podcasts: Bitey End of the Dog (2024), PPG Barks (2019–2024), Animal Training Academy (2020), Unleashed Resilience (2019)
- Webinars & Curriculum: Annual service dog webinars for PPG; APDT workshops 2017–2022; curriculum contributor for CATCH Canine Trainers Academy
- Leadership & Awards: Former VP, IAABC; managing editor of A Pawsitive Canine Experience newsletter (Dog Writers of America Award, 2006)
- Conferences – APDT Conference (2021), Pet Professional Guild “Geek Week” (2021, 2020), Mid Atlantic Positive Dog Trainers (2018), IAABC (2006), PAWS Service Dogs (2004).
