Meet the Instructors, Therapist, and Owners
Sarah King, PhD
Dr. Sarah’s mission is to apply her knowledge of animal behavior to positively affect relationships between animals and their people.
Her years of practical experience and scientific research have given a deep understanding of animal behavior which she uses to help guide you and your dog through behavior and training struggles.
She believes in using force-free, positive methods to improve relationships between people and their animals. Using these methods not only result in kind and clear communication, but make training fun rather than a chore!
Dr. Sarah is a constant learner and educator. We are delighted to have her on our team.
Falon Hibler, CMP
Growing up among law enforcement canines, English Mastiffs, and Rat Terriers, Falon has been involved in the training and showing of dogs all his life. When he returned from active duty in the United States Marine Corps, he had missed having a canine companion—and soon found one again in Arktos, a rescue from a local shelter.
As Arktos got older, and more stiff and sore, Falon started to look for ways to help. He would give Arktos little massages after long hikes & runs, and found that he loved it! Falon was amazed by the difference massage could make, and started to think about how to do more of it for the dogs around him.
After lots of research and discussion, Falon decided that he wanted to seriously pursue a career in this field. He started school at The Lang Institute for Canine Massage. Within the first month he knew it was meant to be, combining his love of dogs and his interest in anatomy. Therefore, upon graduation, he started Crossed Paws Canine Massage. Falon has now worked on all calibers of dog, from family companions to elite show dogs. He has been to dog shows in Arizona, California, Washington, and Colorado, as well as the Royal Canin Nationals in Florida. This has given him the opportunity not only to see how his massage services affect performance in the show ring, but also study movement and talk with the owners, handlers, and breeders that are at the core of it all.
Falon’s favorite part of his job is seeing the difference his work can make in dogs’ lives. His goals are to help dogs de-stress from daily life, help in the healing process of pulls & strains, and prevent new injuries. He is honored to join this team and looks forward to all the dogs’ lives he can provide wellness to!
Emily Bink
Emily and Greta finishing an agility title
Emily has been training dogs for over 20 years, having started with her first rescue dog who was known for his Houdini escape acts. From those first years with Scooter to today, Emily has been training, learning, competing, teaching, and volunteering. She is a Certified Dog Trainer with the Karen Pryor Academy, an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, AKC STAR Puppy Evaluator, the leader of the Weld County 4-H Dog Project, and a member of the Longs Peak Dog Training Club.
Her mission is to help you build a rewarding life-long relationship with your dog. While we know that the theories of learning and behavior apply to all animals from humans to dogs to dolphins to honeybees, Emily believes that a cookie-cutter training plan doesn’t work for everyone. She looks at each dog-family relationship as a unique combination that requires an understanding of what the family wants, what the dog needs, and what can be done to achieve success for both. Effectively using positive reinforcement, reducing stress and frustration, and providing practical steps allows Emily’s clients, both humans and dogs, to learn with success and enjoyment.
Emily participates in classes, workshops, seminars, and other educational opportunities to keep her toolbox as deep and wide as possible. She considers herself a learning and behavior “geek” and combines science-based theory with real-life experience to create practical solutions.
Emily lives in Northern Colorado with her husband, daughter, dogs, cat, horses and chickens. The newest family member is Zena, her teenage Labrador retriever with whom she aims to enjoy a great many sports: obedience, rally, agility, nosework, and Fast Cat. The newest of these adventures will be kayaking so we may see you on the waters this summer!
Hope Mielke
Hope and Elfie
Hope started dog training as a young adult when she dog sat the neighbor’s dog and began training him on their daily walks. This led to grooming school and a 20 year career as a successful dog groomer including managing her own business. When her son started the 4-H dog project, Hope volunteered as the club project leader. This gave her invaluable experience in teaching others to train their dogs. Hope still volunteers for the Larimer County 4-H dog project as one of the lead trainers for the county workshops.
Hope continues to expand her knowledge of dog training by reading every book and article she can find on the subject. She considers herself blessed to have had excellent mentors in the dog training world. Hope is a cross-over trainer who focuses on positive reinforcement and very much enjoys teaching puppy and beginner classes at the Center.
Recently Hope turned her soft spot for puppies into Kingsgift Kanines LLC, a puppy foundations board and train company. Hope is also a responsible preservation breeder of Collies—more time to spend with all those lovely puppies!
Hope and Raine
Judy Walton
Judy and Max
bred by Judy, winning Owner/Handler Group One
Judy Walton started showing in conformation in 1980 and has been teaching conformation handling at the Center since 2005. Judy was a veterinary oncology nurse at CSU for 18 years, a massage therapist for 12 and taught canine massage during that time as well, which gives her a unique perspective on dog structure and movement. She especially enjoys working with puppies and new exhibitors, with emphasis on making their show experiences pleasant ones.
Judy has owned and shown whippets and Ibizan hounds for decades, with several champions, group wins and placements and a Top 20 contender to her name, all owner-handled. She’s shown breeds in all AKC groups. Judy is a current member of the American Whippet Club, has been involved in local kennel clubs since the late 80’s, and is currently the president of the Flatirons Kennel Club. Judy and Nita rotate teaching conformation classes and Judy also hosts a Saturday afternoon RSVP conformation group.
Nita Bitner
Nita with a Russell Terrier
Nita has been a fixture at the CLC since its opening in 1993, in fact, she was our first employee! Even before then, Nita and Julie were dog show buddies and cheered each other on to many a win. During a “brief” sabbatical to teach middle school for 20+ years, Nita has continued teaching conformation class at the Center. She enjoys showing dogs internationally and locally. Her Russell Terrier, Puck, has shown at the World Shows in Europe. Another of Nita’s passions is photography and she can often be seen in the background at prestigious shows such as Westminster and Montgomery, as well as National Specialties in the US and Europe, working with the Canine Chronicle. Nita is a member of the National Beagle Club and the Blue Ridge Russell Terrier Club.
Closer to home, Nita is an instructor for the Weld County 4-H project and is a member of the Greeley Kennel Club where she serves as vendor chair.
Jimmy and Bit
from Julie and Nita’s first litters!
Bit grown up, winning Best In Show
Jimmy grown up, Best Dad In Show!
Francie Pusateri
Francie and Louie when he passed his Pet Partner Therapy Dog Evaluation
Francie with baby Louie on his Gotcha Day in Surrey BC
Hunting Retriever Champion Dasher waiting his turn in the holding blind
Francie and Wyatt Rally Master, LPDTC
Hi, I’m Francie. Growing up, I always had dogs.
The first dog I trained as an adult, a Labrador retriever, worked with me out in the field as I started my career with the Department of Wildlife. She was the best partner I could have asked for and was truly special.
I got my first Golden Retriever, after I transferred back to Fort Collins. As my first competition dog she was the high scoring Novice dog in the Longs Peak Dog Training Club in 2003.
Jump ahead 20 years. My dog, Morgan, will turn 15 1/2 in December 2023. She has her Companion Dog title, a Junior Hunter, and her Rally Advanced Excellent title.
Dasher who turns 11 in December 2023 earned his Utility Dog Excellent title, his Obedience Master title, and 27 points toward his Obedience Trial Championship before retiring from jumping full height. He also is a Master Hunter and has his Hunting Retriever Championship. He received an invitation to the 2023 National Obedience Championship in 2023 ranking him in with the top obedience Golden Retrievers in the country. He will be working on finishing his Rally Master title at Longs Peak and MHGRC trial in March.
Wyatt has his CDX, his Rally Master title and is also a Master Hunter.
My youngest, Louie, has his Hunting Retriever Championship, has a Rally Excellent title and is working on his Master Hunter, Rally Master and Companion Dog titles.
I’ve trained with Julie Yamane at the Canine Learning Center since my first Golden’s puppy Kindergarten class years ago. I’ve trained with Renate Van Allen who earned back-to-back National Obedience Championships in 2005 and 2006 for 10 + years. I’ve taken obedience seminars from other nationally known trainers like Bridget Carlson, Celeste Meade, Sue Oviate Harris, and others.
I’ve worked hard to improve my training program for my dogs and my handling skills both in obedience and the field and enjoy working with others to pass on what I’ve learned. I am excited to start teaching at the Canine Learning Center.
Julie Yamane, founder and lead trainer
Julie and (L-R) Jett, Jacee and Jasper
My dog story began when I was twelve years old and my family adopted a wire fox terrier/poodle mix who turned out to be rather nasty. After Caesar bit yet another neighbor kid, mom said “train him or we get rid of him.” I chose the training route (of course!) and have never looked back, nor regretted a single instant of that choice. I was blessed to join a 4-H club led by two extraordinary women who were far ahead of their time in that they used positive reinforcement methods, way back in 1967 (we were derisively called “cookie pushers”). CJ and Anne showed dogs in conformation and obedience with great success and I was fortunate that they not only taught me well but introduced me to many legendary trainers in the Denver area. In 1972 we added two Golden Retrievers to the family and I entered the AKC world, participating in obedience and junior handling.
1972 Caesar, Julie and Barney
Fast forward too many years to count and in 1993, with the support of my patient husband and two wonderful children, we opened the Canine Learning Learning Center. Our dog kids have included a multitude of Pembroke Welsh Corgis, two Belgian Tervuren, a tiny rescue Sheltie, and two Pyrenean Shepherds. The latest addition is Jacee, a foster fail who is ten pounds of terrier mix.
2022 Julie and Jasper
He prefers herding to beauty contests!
My dogs and I have competed and titled in obedience, agility, conformation, tracking, rally, herding, barn hunt, and fast cat. I became a Rally judge in 2007 and have been honored to judge the AKC Rally Nationals twice, in 2016 and 2023. I was a 30 year member and Tester/Observer for The Alliance of Therapy Dogs (formerly Therapy Dogs Incorporated) and served on their Board of Directors for more than a decade. Professionally, I’m a proud member of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors. I also serve on the Board of the Longs Peak Dog Training Club and am a member in good standing of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of the Rockies, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, and the Pyrenean Shepherd Club of America.
I love teaching dogs and their people, and helping each species understand and develop trust in each other, more than anything (except spending time with two terrific grandsons). I sincerely hope to continue this journey and bring more people into the close-knit and supportive Canine Learning Center community for many years to come. Please join us!
Brad and Kathryn Ray, Owners
Kathryn with Ramen
Bred by Brad and Kathryn, Winning Working Group 2, Colorado Kennel Club
Kathryn with Ramen, who was also a working Livestock Guardian
Brad and Miles
Brad and Porkchop near the top of Trail Ridge Road