Pawsitive Approach : Meet Your Trainers
Evelia V Rivera- CPDT-KA
Meet Evelia Rivera, CPDT-KA, the dedicated owner and trainer of PAWsitive Approach, LLC. Evelia's journey into animal training began at the University of Bridgeport, where she earned her bachelor's degree. From 2006 to 2016, she honed her skills at the Maritime Aquarium, evolving into a seasoned marine mammal trainer with hands-on experience working with sea turtles, seals, meerkats, and more.
Evelia's commitment to learning and benefiting others is evident in her diverse background. Her skills have been cultivated through volunteering at Horse of Connecticut, serving as a past co-secretary of the Beardsley Zoo chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers, and engaging in therapy dog training since 2012. As a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator since 2015, she plays a crucial role in promoting well-behaved and socially responsible dogs.
From 2016-2021, Evelia served as the Behavior Coordinator at a local shelter, demonstrating her passion for improving the lives of shelter animals. Her dedication extends to professional memberships, including the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). As a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Evelia brings a wealth of expertise to her training programs.
Evelia's knowledge and commitment to animal welfare have also led her to share her insights at the International Marine Animal Trainer Association (IMATA) conferences, where she presented on sea turtle training and lionfish handling and conditioning.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Evelia, a native of Bridgeport, CT, developed her love and respect for animals during family trips to the Connecticut Beardsley Zoo. Her childhood dream of working with marine life or horses has blossomed into a fulfilling career. When she's not immersed in her work, Evelia is a busy mother of three, Ariel, Caleb, and Khalani. For leisure, she finds joy in clicker training cats, showcasing her passion for positive and effective training methods.
Join Evelia at PAWsitive Approach, where her extensive experience and genuine love for animals create a positive and enriching environment for both pets and their owners.
Courtney Kolodziej-CPDT-KA
Meet Courtney! Courtney is a CPDT-KA certified trainer. You will often see her teaching classes or training with her assistant and life partner October the yellow lab. Before dogs, she worked as a horse trainer and stable manager. After managing an active veterinary kennel and daycare, she found a passion training with her first dog, Harley. Helping others with their dogs was a natural transition! With a background in service dogs and therapy dogs, she believes in the healing power of pups. Her passion is helping dogs and their owners connect and meet their goals, whether that’s a peaceful household or comforting children in hospitals. She is an AKC CGC Evaluator and a Brewery Manners Certified Instructor. Along with October, Courtney has two children, a terrier mix named Toby, Bran Muffin the cat, and a tank full of puffer fish.
