Shelly graduated from the prestigious Victoria Stilwell Academy, In Person Track, (VSA-CDT), is  a certified Fear-Free Professional, a AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and has completed Michael Shikashio’s Aggression in Dogs Master Course. These achievements come after logging hundreds of training hours and passing comprehensive exams.

She attended Nova Southeastern University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a focus on evolutionary psychology. During her degree she spent time as a behavior helpline counselor at the Humane Society of Broward County, and as a humane educator at the HSUS Wildlife Care Center. 
Upon graduation, she quickly became a leading pet care business owner, and took classes with some of Austin’s most veteran trainers. A few years later, she transitioned into public education becoming a career educator, and curriculum development director. Coming full circle back to her absolute dream career - connecting dogs and their people to healthier companionships through Fetch Worthy Dog Training & Behavior Services. 

She is dedicated to continual studies and seminars designed to progressively enhance her training methods leading to behavior consulting. Shelly is a professional member of Association of Pet Dog Trainers (ADPT), Fear Free Pets (FFP), Pet Professional Guild (PPG), and The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).

Shelly believes that both science and compassion serve as guides to the most effective training. She’s dedicated to the use of the most modern behavioral science methods with realistic expectations for all involved. Coaching clients and families to understand, and communicate with their beloved compassion dog better is speciality. 

Fetch Worthy’s speciality is individualized for puppy socialization, family manners, puppy raising, the adolescent dog, the newly adopted dog, and aging dogs. Shelly is skilled in behavior modification training for dogs struggling with fear and anxiety. From grooming, handling, nail trims, noises, sudden sounds, to separation anxiety. She uses proven evidenced based behavior modification plans. She’s helped hundreds of dogs with leash reactivity, barking, lunging, fence fighting, and leash frustration, as well as the jumpy, mouthy behaviors like nipping, leash pulling and tugging, and running off.

Her classes range from family manners, to service dog maintenance training, Canine Good Citizen Classes, and speciality dog training. 

Shelly also works with the aging dog (seniors) that may be experiencing anxiety, sound sensitivities, loss of sight or sound. She creates plans with gentle movement and touch, mental enrichment, and good nutritional and supplemental support.

Fetch Worthy builds partnerships with pet related businesses that support training without the use of pain, shock, force, or fear and are socially responsible. 

Outside of Fetch Worthy, she’s an active member of her church and can be found volunteering with Austin Blessings Co Op. With her own dog, she completed the Canine Good Citizen Program, competed in North American Dock Diving (NADD) achieving Master level, and in scent work.