Credentialed, Competent & Caring

Our Team

Sarah Richardson, Founder and Owner

Certified Professional Dog Trainer-KA
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer
Licensed Therapy Dog Evaluator

Dr. Sarah founded The Canine Connection in January 2002 after moving to Chico, California to assume a faculty position at Chico State. When she arrived, she realized that there were no opportunities in the area for people to learn about the power of positive dog training (not surprising since positive reinforcement training was then very new to dog training everywhere!). She created an ACADEMY where people and dogs could benefit from science-based, force-free training. Soon, clients were asking for play sessions and overnight care and the Canine Connection’s RESORT program was born1

Since its inception in 2002, The Canine Connection has been here for generations of dogs (and now generations of people too!).

In all we do, we remain true to our founding mission to help dogs and their people develop meaningful, lifelong, joyful connections through approaches rooted in positive training.

Learn more about Dr. Sarah's Background!

Academy Team - Training & Behavior

Nancy Kerns

TRAINER-INSTRUCTOR
B.A. Journalism, San Francisco State University
Horsemastership Graduate, Pacific Horse Center
Nancy is the founding and longtime (25+ years!) editor-in-chief of the internationally renowned Whole Dog Journal, a leading source of information about positive dog training, nutrition, and health. She has extensive experience with puppy and adolescent dogs, having fostered over 100 puppies for Northwest SPCA in Oroville and then providing training assistance to many of their new families. Nancy is the coordinator and lead instructor in our “Continuing Ed” program so don’t be surprised if you find Nancy and her students out and about, on trails or in cafes, practicing what it means to take training foundations to an even higher and more joyful level in our beautiful Norcal environments.
Anna Basalaev-Binder

TRAINER-INSTRUCTOR
B.A. Fine Arts, Mills College
Graduate with Distinction, CATCH Canine Trainers Academy
Anna Basalaev-Binder graduated, with distinction, from CATCH Canine Training Academy. As part of her studies, she competed a training mentorship with Dr. Sarah at The Canine Connection and a shelter mentorship at the Northwest SPCA . Anna is passionate about dog/animal liberation, welfare and rescue, and is excited to help dogs succeed in their learning and enrichment goals. Aside from a passion for dogs, she loves painting and holds a BA in fine arts from Mills College. Anna lives rurally outside of Chico with her 3 dogs, 4 sheep, many chickens, 2 cats and a few human friends.
Ally Padgett

TRAINER - INSTRUCTOR
B.S. Agricultural Business, Chico State
KPA CTP, Karen Pryor Academy
Ally grew up in Chico, surrounded by animals. She first came to The Canine Connection as a youngster, when her family brought their family dog, Georgie, through our puppy program. As Georgie grew, so did Ally's love for training. By the time Ally graduated from high school in 2017, it was a given that she would have a place on our training team! Fast forward to today and Ally has become an accomplished trainer and helps guide clients to the services that will best help them and their dogs. She has graduated from then acclaimed and challenging Karen Pryor Academy professional trainer program, specializing in positive training.
Deb Martell

TRAINER-GROOMER
B.Sc. Natural Resources Conservation. University of British Columbia
VSA-CDT (in Person with Distinction)
Deb is a professional dog groomer and positive trainer who is originally from British Columbia, Canada, Deb first had a brief but rewarding career in wildlife management but then followed her true passion back to the best animal of all, the domestic dog! Deb has been working as a groomer for about 15 years and finds it incredibly rewarding. Along the way, her work with shelters and foster dogs compelled her to want to learn more about dog behavior and positive training. She enrolled in the highly regarded Victoria Stilwell Academy for dog trainers and become a certified positive trainer as well! With both grooming and training, Deb's work exemplifies her belief that dogs are intelligent, intuitive, unique creatures, and each one is truly a unique individual.
Christine Fixico-Silver

CERTIFIED CAT BEHAVIOR CONSULTANT
B.S Psychology, Chico State
M.S. Psychology, Chico State
CCBC, CVPM, MS, HAB, CCBC,
Fear Free Certified
Christine’s life has always been about the animals. She began working professionally with them as a veterinary assistant in her hometown of Paradise and worked her way into practice management, overseeing busy veterinary practices in California and Arizona. Christine completed undergraduate and graduate degrees in Psychology at Chico State, focusing on the human-aiimal bond. Her passion for cats led to her becoming a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant. Christine consults with people around the country regarding the behaviors of their feline friends using Zoom and other technologies. Christine lives in Peoria, Arizona with her husband, a clowder of cats, two ferrets, and a very tolerant black lab.
Olivia Porcayo

TRAINING ASSISTANT
B.S Animal Science, Chico State
Olivia moved to Chico from Healdsburg to pursue her degree in Animal Science at Chico State. During her program, she spent a semester abroad in Spain. Upon her return, she began working for a local veterinary office. When she began to develop an interest in animal behavior, Olivia sought out The Canine Connection and quickly became an important part of our team. Now a Chico State grad, Olivia splits her work time between veterinary care and The Canine Connection. She has opened her heart and home to foster dogs that participate in our training program, helping them to become happier, better mannered, and more adoptable. What lucky dogs!

Resort Team - Daycare & Boarding

Kevin Swanberg

MANAGER, DAYCARE & BOARDING
B.S. Recreation Administration, Chico State
Kevin’s involvement with us began in 2009 when he was a student at Chico State. After graduation, he moved to the Bay Area but later returned to Chico, along with a new baby and bride. We were thrilled that he wanted to return to “the best job he’s ever had.” Kevin has an extensive background in hospitality services, a positive spirit for leading others, a talent for creating beautiful structures and settings, and an adorable mini Aussie named Arlo who (fortunately) works for treats.
Jessica Batista

DOG CARE SPECIALIST
B.S. Animal Science, Chico State
Fear Free Certified
Originally from Southern California, Jess moved to Chico to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science at Chico State. Her love of dogs led her to The Canine Connection where she quickly learned their language, as expressed in body language, vocalizations, and behavior. While Jess loves working with dogs, she and her sweetie are parents to two beloved cats whom Jess is clicker training!
Avery Beaudette

DOG CARE SPECIALIST
B.S. Psychology, Chico State
Fear Free Certified
Avery moved to Chico, from Placerville, to pursue his bachelor’s degree at Chico State. Upon graduating from the honors program, he began his career working with animals, first at Chico Animal Shelter prior to joining The Canine Connection team. He shares his home and heart with his energetic dog, Eowyn, his curious cat, Augustus (both adopted from Chico Animal Shelter) and his fiancé and son.
Lindsay Dollar

DOG CARE SPECIALIST
Fear Free Certified
Lindsay was born and raised in Chico. Prior to joining The Canine Connection, she worked with many species including tigers, bears, leopards, and all sorts of reptiles. She is an avid reader and can often be found, during her lunch breaks, cuddling and reading with our visiting canine guests. Lindsay is also an active gardner. She and her husband are parents to two boys and shaaed their lovin home with a sweet dog named DJ, adopted from the Northwest SPCA.
Reed Hansen

DOG CARE SPECIALIST
B.A. Environmental Studies & Studio Arts, UCSC
Reed has been part of The Canine Connection family since they were a child. Their family fostered dozens of puppies and dogs for local animal organizations and many of them came though our training program! Reed has worn many hats while with us, from overnight attendant to client care coordinator. Reed is an accomplished oil painter and printmaker. They enjoy their own art practice and volunteering with Chico State’s printmaking program.
Frankie Thomson

DOG CARE ATTENDANT
Certified Veterinary Assistant
Fear Free Certfiied
Frankie is a dog enthusiast, cat lover, and recent graduate of the ROP Certified Veterinary Assistant program. They enjoy cooking, crafting, and drawing. In fact, Frankie is the artist who created our beautiful greeting cards depicting our team dogs! A Chico native, Frankie loves exploring Upper Park and other natural areas. They are proudly non-binary and advocate for inclusion and equality.
Izzy Otis

DOG CARE ATTENDANT
B.S. Animal Science, Chico State
Izzy grew up in SoCal with a large anlmal family that lncluded dogs, goats, chickens, and tortoises. Her love of animals brought her to Chico State where she completed her bachelors degree in Animal Science. After graduation, Izzy headed off to South Africa to assist a non-profit that provided medical care to stray and wild captive animals. Mom to two cats, Izzy is working on obtaining her certification to become an RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician).
Jazmyne Craig

DOG CARE ATTENDANT
B.S. Animal Science, Chico State
Jazmyne grew up in SoCal where
she was born with a love of animals. Throughout her life, she’s cared for almost every category of companion animal! Jazmyne decided to pursue a degree in Animal Science at Chico State after working with horses in her youth. Her two dogs, Harley, a pitbull mix, and Copper, a daschund, are the spoiled lights of her and her husband’s lives.
Eli Cook

NIGHT ATTENDANT
Certified Veterinary Assistant
Eli, strength: can fold a fitted sheet. Weakness: Anything on a high shelf. After 10+ years of caregiving he pursued his passion of working with animals. Having become a Certified Veterinary Assistant through the Butte County ROP program, he hopes to further his education in veterinary medicine. A perpetual night owl, nothing makes him happier than singing show tunes to our lovely dog guests throughout the night.
JD Estep

NIGHT ATTENDANT
B.A. English, UC Berkeley
Ph.D. Communications Technology, Michigan Technological University
When JD was in grad school In Michigan, she missed her Chico dog so badly that she exercised and fostered dogs for the local humane society. When she moved back to Chico, she brought along her four newly adopted dogs. Thirteen fosters and several additional rescue adoptions later, JD stays busy running family businesses, enjoying the Chico orchards with her husband and their three border collies, and lovingly caring for our overnight guests.