Jackie is a Florida native who grew up in Tampa and has been training dogs since 2015. In 2020, she founded New Habits Dog Training in South Florida, where she built a successful business helping families transform their dogs’ behavior and strengthen their bond. Now, Jackie has brought that experience back home to the greater Tampa Bay area, proudly serving Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater.

Her passion for training started at sixteen with her first dog, a golden retriever named Circe, who inspired a lifelong love for canines. After losing Circe to cancer, Jackie knew she wanted to dedicate her career to helping other owners experience the same connection she had with her dog. Over the years, she has worked with countless dogs of all breeds and temperaments, specializing in behavioral modification while also providing solid foundations in obedience, puppy training, and advanced off-leash reliability.

For Jackie, training is personal as much as it is professional. She helped her father’s Australian Shepherd, Casey, reach service dog level, teaching her to pick up objects and assist with daily tasks. She also worked through significant challenges with her own golden retriever, Odie, who went from a wild, 65-pound puppy that chewed baseboards and stole food off counters to a calm, well-mannered companion. These experiences give Jackie unique insight into the frustrations dog owners face — and the confidence to show them that real transformation is possible.

Her greatest joy is helping families move from frustration to freedom, creating happy, confident partnerships between people and their dogs. She believes no behavioral issue is too big or too small to see meaningful progress, within just a few weeks in the New Habits program. When she isn’t working with clients, Jackie and Odie can often be found exploring one of Tampa Bay’s many dog-friendly parks, events, or restaurants.