Behavior & Dog Training Staff

Ph.D., BCBA-D, CAAB, Director of Behavior Services

Dr. Terri Bright earned her Master’s of Science and Doctoral degrees at Simmons College in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with an animal specialty, and she is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D). She is also a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist through (CAAB) the Animal Behavior Society. She teaches Learning and Behavior Analysis at Northeastern University and lectures nationally on the subject of Applied Animal Behavior Analysis. She is the past President of the Applied Animal Behavior Special Interest Group in the Association of Applied Behavior Analysis International (ABAI),

CPDT-KA, Behavior Operations Manager

Susan joined the Behavior team at MSPCA-Angell in 2013 and has since earned the Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) certification, as well as completed a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. Susan assists Dr. Bright in her behavior consults, coordinates training classes, and helps to keep the office running smoothly. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Boston University in 1993, where she studied mass communication and psychology. She spent almost a decade working in marketing at Dunkin’ Brands and received a Master’s degree from Emerson College in Integrated Marketing Communication. After switching gears and earning a certificate in Professional Photography at CDIA/BU in 2006, Susan spent several years working as a wedding and portrait photographer and also began to volunteer at her local shelter photographing the dogs there who were awaiting new homes. This experience led Susan to further explore animal behavior, and she earned a certificate in Canine Behavior and Training from Mount Ida College in 2013. Susan and her husband currently share their home with a Boston Terrier and a Chihuahua mix.

CPDT-KA, Training Coordinator & Senior Instructor

Melissa has been working with dogs (and other animals) for over three decades. She joined the MSPCA dog training program in 2004 after completing the Animal Behavior College program. In 2007, she completed both Dogs of Course instructor training programs: Teaching & Training, and Behavior & Consulting. She has had the honor of training and assisting under some of the top clicker trainers in the industry, and she credits those experiences with strengthening her skills in training, coaching, and group class management.

Melissa has over 25 years of experience training dogs and their humans, with a special interest in puppy development and helping puppies grow into calm, confident dogs. She has been a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) for many years and has served as a Mentor Trainer for both Animal Behavior College and CATCH Canine Trainers Academy. She has also been an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator since 2006 and is a Fear Free Certified Shelter Trainer.

In addition to her work with dogs, Melissa has held numerous customer service and animal care positions, including grooming, daycare, and running her own pet-sitting and dog-walking business. She has also been lucky enough to work with many other domestic and exotic animal species, especially at Nevins Farm. Most notably, she spent more than 20 years working with birds of all kinds, and in 2012, became an American Federation of Aviculture Certified Aviculturist, Level 2 (CAFA II).

Over the years, Melissa and her Australian Shepherds have participated in Agility, Conformation, Rally Obedience, Tricks, Canine Musical Freestyle, Canine Drill Team, K9 Nose Work, and Obedience. As a training geek, she also loves sharing dog and puppy content on TikTok and Instagram.

Melissa is also a Reiki Master Teacher and energy work practitioner specializing in animal healing. She shares her life with her partner, Bret; two dogs, Renly, a 14-year-old Yorkie mix, and Stella, a 9-year-old Maltese; and Sabrina, a 4-year-old tabby cat.

In addition to being the Training Coordinator for the Methuen Dog Training program, Melissa teaches Puppy Play N’ Learn, Teen Puppy, Learn to Train Your Dog Levels 1, 2, and 3, Canine Good Citizen Prep, Try It, Tricks, Loose Leash Walking, Recall, and Control Unleashed at all levels.

Melissa specializes in kind, force-free, science-based training that helps people raise calm, comfortable dogs they genuinely enjoy living with.

KPA-CTP, CNWI, ATDI, Instructor

Kathy has been involved in K9 Nose Work® since 2010, when her reactive Irish Terrier, Clancy, inspired her path into professional dog training. She earned her KPA CTP certification in 2014 and her CNWI certification in 2016. Kathy teaches K9 Nose Work from introductory through advanced competition levels in Methuen and instructs at Nose Work camps in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Colorado.

She is also an NACSW Trial Judge, Trial Host, Score Room Lead, and an approved Cyber Scent Work Evaluator. Kathy currently competes with Deuce, an Irish Terrier, at the Summit level and is introducing her young Danish-Swedish Farmdog, Fika, to the sport.

KPA-CTP, Senior Instructor

Marion has been assisting with and teaching classes at MSPCA Dog Training in Methuen since 2010. She began with Ruff Diamonds and Puppy Play & Learn and has since expanded her work to focus on her passion for helping fearful and reactive dogs.

Marion is a graduate of Karen Pryor Academy and a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP). She has pursued extensive continuing education through seminars, workshops, and multiple ClickerExpo conferences. Her experience learning from some of the most respected trainers in the industry has given her a thoughtful and well-rounded perspective on working with dogs and their people.

Before she began teaching, Marion volunteered with shelter dogs, work she continues today. She began supporting and training MSPCA shelter dogs as a member of the Behavior Mod Squad, a specially trained group of Nevins Farm volunteers. Marion also frequently fosters shelter dogs and cats in her home. With the help of her own dogs and cat, many of these animals have gained confidence and gone on to find loving homes.

Marion shares her home with two MSPCA alumni dogs: Heidi, a Beagle/Shepherd mix, and Milo, a Chihuahua/Jack Russell mix. Milo is also a certified therapy dog. Together, Marion and her dogs regularly participate in agility, Nose Work, and other canine sports.

Marion teaches Reducing Dog Reactivity, Puppy Play & Learn, Teen Dog, Learn to Train Your Dog, Control Unleashed, and Shy Dog classes, as well as private lessons.

Marion is deeply devoted to helping dogs and their people build trust and connection through thoughtful, dog-centered training that puts each dog’s comfort and sense of security first.

KPA-CTP, Senior Instructor

What started a simple decision to enroll in a basic manners class with a newly adopted dog in 2007, quickly led to an interest in dog behavior for Lisa and a desire to learn more. She graduated from Karen Pryor Academy for Dog Training and Behavior in 2012, and has served as a trainer for a service dog organization, taught classes and offered in-home training/behavior sessions. She began teaching Agility in Waltham in 2021 and in Methuen in 2023; she competes in the sport with her dogs, Blue and Demitasse. She is a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and has a BA in Psychology from the University of Vermont.

Instructor

Danielle graduated from Becker College in 1998 with an Associate’s degree in Animal Care, preparing her for a career working with animals. She began her career caring for small animals as a Laboratory Animal Technician at Harvard University, then spent seven years as a Veterinary Technician at Silver Lake Veterinary Hospital.

Danielle has been a full-time dog walker and pet sitter for the past 18 years and currently also works for a dog daycare in Tewksbury. She began volunteering as a dog walker at the MSPCA in 2015, where she became increasingly interested in canine behavior. She later became a classroom volunteer, assisting in a variety of classes and learning from multiple instructors.

Danielle became a class instructor in October 2021. She currently teaches Puppy Play N’ Learn, Teen Puppy, and Learn to Train Your Dog: Level 1 and 2.

Danielle’s passion lies in helping shelter and rescue dogs. She is the former Canine Manager for Salem Animal Rescue League in Salem, NH.

Danielle shares her home with her beloved Great Pyrenees, Blue. Fun fact: Danielle’s previous dog, Whitey, is the star of a nonfiction Christmas children’s book that Danielle co-wrote, Whitey Comes Home for Christmas.

Danielle especially enjoys helping families build strong foundations with their dogs through patient, practical, positive training and a calm, relaxed approach.