Meet Cassie Pestana

Hi there! My name is Cassie and this is the story of how I became a certified behavior consultant and co-founder of Clickstart Dog Training Academy.

I started at Brown University as an Environmental Science major. One of my college application essays was about how much the series Planet Earth set my path. But once I started my studies, everything felt too hopeless (really guys, it’s bleak). I wanted to understand ecosystems and evolution and biodiversity (without a focus in how we’re ruining everything irreparably forever. Serious props to anyone who stuck to ES).

So I switched to a concentration in Biology. I was taking every class with the word “animal” in it, which happened to include several behavior classes. Then one semester, a Canine Behavior course popped up as an option and this is the class that made me realize working with dogs in some capacity (other than being a vet) was a career option. We read countless books and research papers about dog body language and canine cognition and I DEVOURED them. It didn’t even feel like school. Every preconceived notion I had about dogs was being challenged by data, research, and evidence.

I approached the professor of the Canine Behavior class about completing my research and thesis with her. She appreciated my enthusiasm and niched interest. We began working on a project together about the significance of scent marking. She also introduced me to inspiring local dog training professionals including Joyce Gauthier, Kateena Jones, and Michael Shikashio. The thought of being an entrepreneur added a depth to my future that I was very interested in.

At the same time, I was taking a class at the Providence Zoo, studying the African Wild Dogs specifically. I was volunteering at the Providence Animal shelter. I was dog sitting the Dean of college’s dog all summer. I seemed to gravitate toward dogs in every direction. When I studied abroad in South Africa, I remember everyone in our GDV parting like the Red Sea for me to get the best view and photos of the pack of African Wild Dogs we came across.

I was fairly certain I wanted to pursue my doctorate in animal behavior, specifically canine behavior. I had my eye on Duke’s Canine Cognition Lab. However, my relationship with my professor didn’t last my time at Brown. For many reasons, it wasn’t a relationship I was interested in continuing so I ended my thesis. My faith in academia and sound research were tainted. I knew it was no longer the path for me. 

I graduated and moved back to California where I worked at the Ocean Institute, a non-profit educational organization, for a couple years. I was writing curricula, whale watching and teaching kiddos about the wonders of the sea. To satisfy my desire to work with dogs, I started volunteering at a German Shepherd Rescue (where I learned I never wanted to use punishment in my training) and found a gig working for a large, remote, positive reinforcement dog training company. I applied as an intern (because I had no practical experience) but they hired me as a trainer and that should tell you a lot about the state of the dog training industry. 

Anyway, if there’s one thing I’m thankful for from that company it’s for introducing me to Liv. We got along right away. I finally had someone in my life who cared as much about how dogs think and learn and feel as I did. Between running classes, board and trains, private sessions, and dog sitting, I was racking up hours of experience fast. But experience didn’t feel like enough and with the dog training industry as unregulated as it is, I wanted more.

I pursued two certifications. The certification from the CCPDT required 300 hours of experience and a passing score on an exam. Even after passing the exam and receiving my certificate, I still wasn’t satisfied because no one had watched me work with a dog. So I applied to the Karen Pryor Academy which was a 6 month course consisting of written exams, video assessments, and an in-person practical exam - all of which were completed alongside my dog Rugby. It was one of the most nerve-wracking educational experiences of my life and we were one of only two teams who passed. I’ll never forget how my boy got me through that. 

At this point in my career, with years of experience, happy clientele, and two certifications under my belt, I was overflowing with passion, full of pride, and ready to go. In a terrifying leap of faith, I decided to quit my consistent 9-5 and open my own business, which I cleverly called “Cassie’s Dog Training”. I’m so glad I had this practice run before opening Clickstart because wow, did I make mistakes and learn so much. I quickly realized that I was creating more of a job than a business. With that name, I wouldn’t be able to grow, have a business partner, hire a team, etc. And in order to provide the supportive services I sought for my clients and their dogs, I was going to need a team.

So when Liv sat me down in a little coffee shop in 2019 and told me they were ready to go into business with me (I had been asking for quite some time), I literally squealed with excitement. Dog training can be a lonely profession, but with a business partner by my side to bounce ideas off of, to pick each other up when we’re feeling defeated, to divide and conquer certain tasks.. I knew we’d be unstoppable. 

And here we are, 6 years later, with a wonderful team of compassionate trainers, a Clickstart campus of our very own, and a huge variety of services to support committed families of dogs. We created so much more than a business. It’s a community of like-minded people who see our services as a way to connect with and support and enjoy their dogs for a lifetime. 

I have no doubt that I ended up exactly where I was meant to be doing exactly what I was meant to do.