Our trainers.
Brittany Triner
she/her
Brittany is the owner of Saragold Kennels, and was born and raised in the Magic Valley. She is a passionate canine professional who enjoys giving back to her community through her lifelong love of animals. Brittany attended CSI, graduating with a degree in Animal Science, and has been an AKC Evaluator for more than a decade. She has been a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals since 2016, and in 2019, completed Top Dog Texas’ Diabetic Alert Dog Training Summit.
Throughout the years, Brittany has found joy in mentoring students of all ages, through canine demonstrations at local elementary schools, assisting students in raising service dogs for high school senior projects, and serving as a mentor for aspiring trainers through the Animal Behavior College. She is President of the Pets Helping People therapy program in Idaho, and is currently raising her 9th puppy for a non-profit organization.
Brittany is a “mal-gal” and a “crazy cat lady” who enjoys therapy work, hiking with her dogs, sports like fast cat, scentwork, barn hunt, agility, and more, with her pack. That pack includes her personal pets, and usually, a foster dog from one of the breed-specific rescues she volunteers for. When she’s not volunteering in the community, raising service dogs, or working with pets and the people who love them, you can probably find her in a bite suit.
Brittany learned early in her career that training is sometimes as simple as refusing to reward undesirable behavior. She has seen firsthand that well-behaved pets live more fulfilled lives. In turn, people with fulfilled pets enjoy successful and meaningful relationships with those pets. Helping pets and owners find mutual fulfillment is the guiding principle in Brittany’s work. Her love of sports, and of training therapy and service dogs is based on her desire to help owners and dogs thrive together.
Kailee Pothier
she/her
Kailee is an Animal Behavior College certified dog trainer (ABCDT), and an AKC evaluator with an associate degree in animal science. Kailee has taken courses under Michael Shikashio, and specializes in aggressive behavior. She has worked with dogs since 2016, and has been training dogs professionally since 2020.
When she’s not training dogs, Kailee enjoys kayaking, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family. Kailee shares a home with 5 dogs, including one twho is both blind and deaf, highlighting her compassion for animals, and her unique skillsets.
Kailee’s training focuses on helping people develop the tools they need to create environments where their dogs can achieve success. She enjoys working with owners and watching as they gain confidence in their dogs, deepen their relationships, and realize the untapped potential within their dogs. Regardless of a dog’s needs or limitations, Kailee firmly believes that EVERY dog can live a happy and fulfilling life.
Sara Gaines
she/her
Sara is a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), and the International Working Dog Association (IWDA). She has a certificate in companion animal nutrition from SIU, is an Avidog Associate Breeder, and is the owner and breeder at Cedar Cove Standard Poodles.
She shares a home with 4 Standard Poodles, and the occasional litter of puppies. Her dogs enjoy a wide variety of sensory enrichment, from nose games, puzzle toys, and outdoor activities like hiking and paddle boarding, to disc dog league, canine massage, and training games.
Sara views each dog as an individual with their own unique thoughts, motivations, and aptitudes. Her goal in training is to facilitate thoughtful and respectful communication between owner and dog, and to help simplify the human-dog relationship. Sara is passionate about canine wellness, which encompasses the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of our dogs. She believes that true wellness inspires confidence, curiosity, and connectedness with our canine companions.
