Yana Allport
Owner and Training Director
Yana’s experience spans across many dog training venues including basic and advanced obedience, personal protection, Search & Rescue, explosives detection, training service animals, tracking, and specializing in dogs with behavioral issues. Yana has trained hundreds of dogs, but makes sure to train each dog in front of her like the individual that they are, and ensures that both dog and owner get the personalized training and instruction that they need.
Yana has a lot of experience teaching other trainers as well as instructing K9 Guide clients. It doesn’t matter how well a dog is trained if the person on the other side of the leash doesn’t have the knowledge, skill, and confidence necessary to handle the pup, and Yana loves setting both dog and handler up for success! She is passionate both about dog training and educating others, and loves facilitating educational environments where dogs and owners can learn, have fun, and build a stronger bond together.
Yana is also a…
- Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals
- Professional Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers
- An AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
- Certified in Pet Emergency First Aid through Pet Emergency Education (we recommend everyone take this thorough course!)
- Certified in Cat and Dog First Aid through the American Red Cross
Evan Snyder
Head Instructor
Evan Snyder discovered his love for dogs while serving in the Marine Corps infantry in 2010, where he saw the immense capabilities, loyalty, and power in the military working dogs. Since then, he has dedicated his free time to training his own dogs as well as going to seminars and looking for any way that he can perfect his craft.
Evan is a professional member of the IACP. He brings his working dog experience to K9 Guide, as well as enthusiasm and passion for training dogs and educating clients. We love hearing from clients what a knowledgeable, thorough, and patient teacher he is!
Emma Bernardi
Dog Trainer
Emma got her Bachelor’s in Psychology at Ohio State, then her Master’s in Cognitive Psychology at Kent State. She learned about behavior through RBT work and cognition through schoolwork, and she is excited to bring both those perspectives to her work with dogs. Emma is very excited to be a part of a team that helps dogs become their most confident and secure selves!
Emma has a 9-year old Australian Shepherd named Shiloh and two cats, Laurie and Mister. Mister loves food, Laurie loves nap time with Emma, and Shiloh just loves being called a good boy!
We’re very happy to welcome Emma to the team. Her background, passion, and patience make her an excellent handler, trainer, and educator.
Brandon Sperlazza
Dog Trainer
Brandon joined the Marine Corps right out of high school and worked as a Military police officer until he was selected to become a K9 Handler, specializing in being a Combat Tracker. Brandon later became the chief trainer for the installation of Marine Corps Base in Hawaii as well as a part-time kennel master. He orchestrated joint K9 training with local law enforcement as well as other branches. Brandon also oversaw operations with K9 involvement when high profile individuals were on base. Brandon got out of the military in 2021 and is now studying for a mechanical engineering degree.
Brandon is a rare mix of being confident with big tough dogs while being soft with the tiniest and most nervous dogs we work with. He loves working with K9 Guide dogs and his enthusiasm and love for dogs is obvious to anyone who has the pleasure of working with him!
Josh Doster
Dog Trainer & Canine Bodywork Professional
Josh has been training dogs for 3 years as well as doing canine and equine bodywork for the past 6. He has his own business for canine bodywork and we make sure to always recommend him to our clients, especially those with dogs who have pain or mobility difficulties. It has been eye opening to see Josh work with one of Yana’s dogs (who has hip dysplasia on one side) as well as a couple rescues and witness the effect that his calm and compassionate demeanor has on the Board & Train dogs we train.
Josh has 5 kids and 2 dogs so he knows what it takes to have harmony in the home and wants to help our clients obtain the same! K9 Guide is very lucky to have such a multifaceted, kind, and educated animal professional on our team!
Lydia Leclerc
Administrative Assistant
Lydia Leclerc is the Administrative Assistant for K9 Guide.
Lydia has two American Pit Bull Terrier mixes, a Black & Tan Coonhound, and two Xoloitzcuintli. She trains and competes with her dogs in Barn Hunt, Lure Chasing, Trick Dog, Rally, and Conformation, and is an avid hiker as well. She is passionate about breed preservation and history, as well as the historical jobs dogs were originally bred to do. She is a member of the Xoloitzcuintli Club of America, the Chinook Owners Association, and the Phú Quốc Ridgeback Association.
Lydia will be the first point of contact for many of you reaching out to K9 Guide, and believe us when we say you’re in great hands!
Isabella Sprankle
Kennel Tech and Dog Walker
Isabella is a hard-working mama, and works part-time as our nighttime kennel tech and dog walker. We are so happy to have her on our team! Isabella goes above and beyond to ensure that all of our Board & Train dogs are comfortable, clean, happy, and get several walks in the evening and at nighttime.
This is no easy job – rain or shine, she’s out there at night to ensure all dogs are pottied and comfortable before bed. Kennel techs and dog walkers are vital to this kind of business, and Isabella is incredibly committed to the animals in our care. Her patience and gentle approach ensure that the dogs are getting handled safely and kindly, and her commitment to keeping our training space clean ensures that K9G trainers can focus on what we’re here for!
Heather Courtney
Kennel Manager
Heather is a manager for our sister company, Easdale Pet Care, and lives on site to ensure all dogs at our facility are safe and sound around the clock!