Who is Ohana K9?

Samantha Chinchilla

Animals have always been the a very large part of my life, especially my childhood. We were never without an animal in our home growing up. Whether that be guinea pigs, dogs, cats, hermit crabs, birds, even mucking out our neighbors stalls in exchange for horseback riding lessons. I come from an animal loving family, and have taken that into my professional career and found a way to help others through that love.

After graduating high school in 2013 and enrolling in college to obtain my Associates Degree in Human Psychology, I knew I couldn’t be without animals in my life and took the opportunity to work in some of the best veterinary clinics, boarding/daycare facilities, and training companies, the state of Utah has to offer. I have served many roles included Professional Training and Upper Management Roles.

During 2013-2022, I spent time traveling and learning from some of the best Handlers, Behaviorists, Nutritionists, Clinicians, Instructors, and Trainers the United States and Beyond has to offer. Through my 10 years of hands on experience with dogs of every size, age, breed, temperament, and behavioral concern, I’ve developed a skill for reaching dogs who are difficult for others to reach at an emotional, mental, and personal level.

My favorite part of what we do is being able to create harmony between the dogs we serve and the humans who love them. More than the animal side of dog training, one of my favorite aspects of being a Professional Dog Trainer is getting to know our human clients, most of which become part of our ‘Ohana.

‘Ohana is at the heart of everything I want for myself, my dogs, and the beautiful families we serve.

I have seen firsthand the beauty a dog can bring to a family. Dog’s have the ability to make us better versions of ourselves, to build confidence in us that we never had before, and to help us see the world in ways we never thought we could before. I believe that bond starts at home, in home, and with a personalized approach to each family, and their dog.

Chase Thomson

There are very few professions that allow you to 1) Help Others 2) Help Animals 3)Love what you do, day in and day out.

I have been blessed to be able to find a career that fuels my passions, and helping the dogs in my community lead more fulfilling lives has always been a dream of mine.

German Shepherds are my favorite breed, and having owned a few from rambunctious puppyhood to adulthood, built the drive in me to learn how to make their lives better ones.

I started down this path a long time ago, with volunteering and dog walking/sitting, but never anticipated that going full time with this profession could be possible until meeting Sam.

I’ve been privileged to have the opportunity to gain an enriched education and hands on experience working with the dogs in this community, and being able to Shadow Sam night and day over the last two, to gain the experience needed to work with your dogs.

While shadowing Sam, I have also spent the last two years building my formal education with the Leerburg University Online Classes, have completed Fearful & Feral Classes as well as Puppy Development Classes by Nelson Hodges of the Canine/Human Relationship Institute. I have also fully immersed myself in the Puppy Culture, BAB, and Avidog Curiculums, become Pet First Aid/CPR certified by two accrediting bodies, and have spent hundreds of hours at adoption events, fostering, and volunteering for our local rescues over the past decade.

Through every place I’ve come to work, none have ever felt fulfilling in a way working with animals and their owners has.

I knew I LOVED dogs, and knew I always have wanted at least one or two, or thirty, around me at all times, but I never knew putting those two aspects together could be possible in a way I could provide for my family.

In our rare downtime, I enjoy spending time with our three children, adventuring in the form of fishing, hiking, camping, and road tripping, and learning everything this life has to teach me.

Thank you for reading, and welcome to my ‘Ohana!