Hi! My name is Sara Maasen. I’m a parent of two and have grown up with dogs for as long as I can remember. My journey with dogs began early, I started training dogs as a teenager and have spent over 20 years immersed in canine education and behavior. My experience includes competitive agility, therapy dog work, and behavior modification, always with a focus on understanding the relationship between humans and dogs.

Alongside my work with dogs, I’ve always worked closely with children. I volunteered as a pet therapy handler at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in California and worked at the local after-school center I grew up attending. I was also trained in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and worked as a paraeducator supporting children with autism. Helping children learn, grow, and feel confident has always been a meaningful part of my life.

Over time, I realized my passion lived at the intersection of my two greatest loves: dogs and children.

As a Licensed Family Paws® Educator, I support families as they transition into life with babies and toddlers, with a strong emphasis on safety, understanding, and thoughtful integration. Inter-species relationships thrive when both needs are respected, and education is key to creating harmony in the home.

Using my background in canine behavior, child development, and education, I created a youth program that gives children the opportunity to experience dog training in a science-based, hands-on learning environment. This program thoughtfully integrates my certified Pet Partners therapy dog, ensuring her involvement is respectful, safe, and enriching for everyone involved.

This work is deeply personal to me. As a child, my mother showed dogs in obedience competitions, and I often accompanied her to events where I admired the connection between handlers and their dogs. After years of observing and learning, my parents gifted me my own dog and supported me fully; from training and nutrition to veterinary care and competition. Without their encouragement and commitment, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to experience such a meaningful bond.

Those early experiences shaped my understanding of what goes into building a healthy relationship with a dog. Today, my programs blend canine body language education, hands-on training, creative activities, games, enrichment, and reflection, giving children and families the tools to build respectful, confident relationships with dogs that last a lifetime.