Our Team
Austin Smith, CCS, CPDT-KA
Austin Smith is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer—Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and holds a Certificate in Canine Studies (CCS) from the Northwest School of Canine Studies. Currently working toward his Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) credential, Austin combines science-based methods with a relationship-first philosophy that puts the dog–handler bond at the heart of every lesson.
After a decade in IT, Austin followed his lifelong passion for dogs, trading code for canine cues. His training journey began volunteering at Seattle Humane, where he discovered the transformative power of trust and positive reinforcement. That same year, he walked his first scent-detection course—and never looked back. Now, nose work is not just a specialty but a cornerstone of his practice, tapping into dogs’ natural abilities to build confidence and engagement.
Committed to lifelong learning, Austin regularly attends seminars and apprenticeships to stay current with the latest in animal behavior science. He also gives back by fostering dogs in need, guiding them through the skills and socialization they’ll carry into loving forever homes. Outside the training ring, you’ll find Austin and his canine partners—Willy, the ever patient Labrador, and Cowboy, the energetic tri-colored Mini Aussie—competing in agility and scent sports or wandering local trails in search of the next adventure.
Annika Browne, MSW, CCS, CPDT-KA, TRCI
Passionate about helping families move through their dogs’ challenges toward a deeper connection, Annika’s approach to working with dogs is relationship-centered and based in proven modern techniques. Her goal is to help dogs build the skills to handle the complexities of modern life, and to help owners get control of their dog’s behavior without pain or fear. She is always interested in the mind-body connection, and the role that undiagnosed physical issues play in many behavior problems.
Annika completed a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington in 2018, where she focused on working equitably with vulnerable populations. After finding she was most passionate about applying her social work skills to human-animal relationships, she completed her Certificate of Canine Studies from the Northwest School of Canine Studies in 2023. Annika is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Treat/Retreat Certified Instructor, a Relationship Assessment Tool™ Certified Instructor, and a Level 1 CCC Instructor for Connection, Cooperation, and Control™.
Annika lives in beautiful rural King County with her husband and two dogs.