Meet Your Instructor
We can't wait to meet you!
Paige Hoelscher
Paige Hoelscher has been involved in dog training for over 10 years. Her approach to training is centered around building a connection between dog and handler,while having fun! Paige has been working with the Dog Alliance for a year and brings her Disc Dog, Tricks, and Agility skills and knowledge to our team of trainers.
Paige’s training philosophy is team-oriented; focused more on a good relationship and teamwork rather than the "owner is the alpha to the dog" mentality. Her focus and goal when working with dog and handler teams is that both parties are learning together. Paige’s training style is to create a positive and fun learning experience for both dogs and their owners.
Paige currently has 3 dogs: two Australian Shepherds, Echo (10) and Edge (6), and a Border Collie named Early (1). Edge and Early have won multiple high-level disc events, including qualifying for world finals. They both have many AKC CGC, AKC Trick, Agility, Dock, and Disc titles through various organizations.
Portia Purfey
.jpg)
Portia Purfey has been training dogs for over six years. Her approach to training focuses on building strong relationships between dogs and their handlers. Portia began her dog training journey as a guide dog puppy raiser for a nonprofit organization in Wisconsin, where she previously lived. Over the last six years she has focused on teaching agility, manners and tricks. Portia enjoys helping teams learn fun patterns and commands that also transfer to daily life.
Portia currently has 3 dogs: Chaka, a border collie mix; Yuki, a rat terrier; and her current puppy Nina, a cattle dog mix. She has also trained and lived with Labrador retrievers, several terrier breeds, and many unique breed mixes.
Chaka has had many top ten placements in agility and he placed first in an AKC Trick dog competition. Chaka also has titles in Cooperative Care, Dock Diving, Disc, and AKC CGC. Yuki has qualified and won best of breed in an AKC trick dog competition. Yuki also has titles in scent work. Chaka and Yuki both have many titles in agility and high level trick dog titles including Trick Dog Champion and AKC Trick dog elite performer.
Sarah Maloney
.png)
Sarah combines her project management experience and legal background with the aim of using her skills to enhance the Dog Alliance and help the community. While she is not a dog trainer, Sarah is a dog lover and enjoys being the “fun treat lady” for the dogs on campus; someone the dogs can love on and just be a dog around after training! Sarah manages daily operations for dog training classes, private lessons, and volunteer opportunities. She also uses her creative problem solving skills to run special projects that elevate the Dog Alliance programs and customer experience.
Sarah volunteers as a Therapy Team with Sky throughout the community visiting schools, hospitals, and corporate offices. Spending time with Sky bringing smiles to members of the community has brought her so much joy!
In her free time, Sarah enjoys traveling, reading, and cooking. She has a 14 year old lab mix named Mack who is the perfect co-pilot, snuggle buddy, and sous chef.