Briar joined the Grinning Dog team in spring 2026. As a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (Knowledge Assessed), a Certified Family Dog Mediator, and a Connection Cooperation & Control level 1 instructor, they bring a calm energy, thoughtful inquiry, and experience as a socially-sensitive dog walker, kennel staff, group class instructor, and day training provider.
"I’ve lived in the northeast my whole life, and most recently moved to western MA from upstate NY. I haven't always worked alongside animals, but adopting my border collie, Ever, several years ago sprouted a seed I feel I planted as a young child to get closer to dogs.Since then, I’ve been engrossed in finding what speaks to me about the human-dog relationship.
I feel grateful to my human teachers, indebted to the lessons only dogs can offer me, and giddy for all the ways we are so similar. Along my training journey, nothing has touched me quite so deep as the words of the late Sarah Fisher, that “dogs are the only experts”.
In my free time, I love to garden, eat while I cook, do improv, and shoot hoops. Dogs and plants hold my heart and it’s a good day when I get to spend time with both!"
I feel grateful to my human teachers, indebted to the lessons only dogs can offer me, and giddy for all the ways we are so similar. Along my training journey, nothing has touched me quite so deep as the words of the late Sarah Fisher, that “dogs are the only experts”.
In my free time, I love to garden, eat while I cook, do improv, and shoot hoops. Dogs and plants hold my heart and it’s a good day when I get to spend time with both!"
