Certified Dog Trainers - Tustin Team
All Trainers are certified or working towards certification (CPDT) - the only independent nationally recognized program providing the most up-to-date positive reinforcement training.
Certified Training Management Certified RSM Trainers
Gretchen Mavrovouniotis, PhD, CPDT - KA
Tustin Trainer
I got my start in dog training when I volunteered at a local animal shelter in 2001. Around that time, I had heard about clicker training and started using it with both my own dogs and the dogs at the shelter. I joined the Wags & Wiggles Apprenticeship Program in 2007, passed the CPDT-KA exam, and became a trainer at Wags & Wiggles in Tustin when it opened.
I enjoy teaching all levels of dog obedience, sport dog classes, and tricks. I compete in Rally Obedience, Agility, and Musical Freestyle. I love helping both dogs and people learn new things!
EMAIL GRETCHEN
Rae Druiff-Fick
Tustin Trainer
I have come home from work proudly covered in dog hair for the past eight years. So when I started working at Wags and Wiggles in 2011, I fell in love with the company. Throughout my years at Wags, I have done a little bit of everything, but I found my true niche was working hands-on with the dogs. As a result, my role at Wags is split between working in our big dog room as Operations Manager and as a trainer with our behavior and training team.
Whether teaching an excited puppy how to walk with a loose leash or helping a reactive dog make a progressive breakthrough, Wags' positive reinforcement methods are enjoyed by the dog, the owner, and the trainer.
My passion for animals is something I was born with, and I have worked with a wide range of species. I spent a few years volunteering at my local wildlife rescue center, traveled to Thailand to work with elephants, and recently returned from an internship at a conservation center working with big cats.
I have loved working with all different types of animals. However, the deeply rooted bond between dogs and humans is incomparable. Dogs are the best!
A few months ago, I officially became a dog mom and adopted Frida, a Xoloitzcuintli, from Mexico. So now I spend most of my free time making sure my former street dog is living her best life!
EMAIL RAE
Karen Wlodarski
Tustin AgilityTrainer
Karen has owned dogs all her life but became involved in agility training and competition in 2001 and soon became addicted to the sport. She competes with papillons and has cumulatively earned 55 MACH titles on four of her dogs. Karen has competed in AKC and USDAA agility, and her papillons have regularly qualified for and competed at the AKC Agility Invitational and AKC Agility Nationals, making it to the finals round several times.
Recently relocated to Laguna Niguel, CA, from the Charleston, SC, area (she’s a native upstate NY’er, also residing in Boston and Indiana along the way), Karen has taught agility classes and seminars at all levels since 2003; she believes in building a strong relationship with your dog and utilizing positive reinforcement training techniques to have fun and be successful in the agility ring.
Karen has a data processing background and spent ten years of her professional career with IBM. She has served as a licensed AKC agility trial secretary and an active AKC agility judge since 2010. In her current real-world life, Karen is a licensed residential realtor. She looks forward to joining the Wags family as an agility instructor!
EMAIL KAREN
Pam Gray
Tustin Trainer
I have always loved animals and thought about how cool it would be to work with them; any animal, but mostly dogs! The unconditional love and loyalty they have to offer is what draws me to them. In April of 2018, I adopted my pitbull mix, Jazzy (now ten years old!), and she changed my world. She is my inspiration and reason for choosing the path of spending most of my days covered in dog hair and giving constant belly rubs and chin scratchies.
My dog training journey only began recently when I had a hard time figuring out what I wanted to do with my life. One long look at Jazzy later, and I had my answer: dogs. Dogs are my passion, and I want to help them all–well, as many as I can–through training. The ultimate dream is to help dogs and their humans work together and to help shelter dogs-like my Jazzy once was- find their forever homes.
Wags has allowed me to dive fully into the world of training and learn all I can. I learn something new daily, meeting and working with new dogs and even with dogs I am already familiar with! Seeing the dogs improving their skills and being able to help them get to that “lightbulb” moment is incredibly rewarding and is something I will never get tired of.
EMAIL PAM
Jocelyn Rodriguez
Tustin Trainer
I’ve been part of the Wags and Wiggles family for over seven years—starting on overnight shifts, then working on the play floors, helping in the kitchen, and in the office… I’ve done a bit of everything! Some call me a jack of all trades, but becoming a dog trainer has been the most rewarding part of my journey. I absolutely love what I do.
Since I was little, animals of all kinds have amazed me and have been part of my life—from inchworms, chickens, lizards, and dogs. I’ve always known I’d grow up working with animals, and while I once imagined becoming a marine biologist, being a dog trainer turned out to be pretty awesome and just what I needed.
Through this journey, I’ve learned so much about dog behavior, communication, and the art of positive training. Every dog has taught me something new, and I’m so excited to continue learning and growing alongside the amazing team here at Wags and Wiggles.
One of my favorite things about training is seeing that lightbulb moment—when a dog suddenly gets it and everything we’ve been working on clicks into place. I celebrate every win, no matter how small, and I believe training should always be fun and rewarding for dogs and humans. I especially love getting to know each pup one-on-one and helping their unique personalities shine.
When I’m not at work, you’ll usually find me hiking or hanging out with my two dogs—Sebas, a Shih Tzu mix, and Sesha, a Pug mix. We love working on new tricks, trying out fun classes, and finding new ways to connect. And when I’m not with my dogs, I’m probably spending time with my husband or relaxing with a good video game!
EMAIL JOCELYN
Amanda Lowe
Tustin Trainer
My life’s been a rotating cast of paws, claws, and hooves! I’ve always had a soft spot for animals; I’ve shared my life with dogs, cats, and even horses.
Before joining the Wags and Wiggles team, I spent several years as a hunt seat riding instructor and horse trainer, competing in the OCHSA circuit and helping riders build skill and confidence. I used to be quite shy, but working with animals and helping others make connections with them gave me the confidence to open up. Teaching has always been a passion; through my bond with animals, I started to shape who I am today.
Although I loved working with horses, I wanted to broaden my experience. I transitioned into dog training and worked at two other facilities before finding my home at Wags and Wiggles. Wags has been such an exciting new chapter in my journey! Here, I get to apply everything I’ve learned while continuing to grow as a trainer.
I love reaching more people than ever and helping foster strong, lasting relationships between dogs and their humans.
EMAIL AMANDA
Serena Serna
Tustin Trainer
Working with animals has always been a passion of mine, but training was a secret goal of mine that I wasn’t too sure would come true. That is, until I started at Wags and Wiggles four years ago, when it suddenly became a reality! From being in the big and small dogs' play area to moving on to the kitchen and becoming a kitchen manager, Wags has provided room for me to grow in my knowledge.
I've been blessed to have grown up with a lot of the Wags and Wiggles team when I was struggling with what I wanted to start doing with my life. I have always wanted to do training, but never knew if it would be possible or if I wanted to go the artistic route and go for graphic design.
Not until I brought home a spicy puppy German Shepherd, Salem, after not having a puppy for 10+ years. I quickly realized how my past German Shepherd, Pepper, was perfect, and my current 12-year-old Chihuahua, Ginger, was easy to handle. However, the Wags trainers helped me answer any questions I had, and I consistently took training classes and worked with Salem on my lunch/breaks. Before I knew it, I was hooked on extra classes and started working in the training department.
I genuinely love working with dogs, seeing how every dog learns differently, and finding out what works best for them so they can understand. It has also given me so much fulfillment now that I’ve become a trainer!
EMAIL SERENA