Susan was a zookeeper and animal trainer for 16 years following a stint in the Peace Corps serving in Africa. After an injury ended her zookeeping career, Susan returned to school to train as a veterinary technician. Susan completed her education at Penn Foster and became licensed in South Carolina.

Recognizing a need for pet training assistance while working in a veterinary hospital, Susan pursued certification as a dog trainer, building on her extensive experience from zoos. She has continued to advance her training through numerous certifications, seminars, and conferences, aiming to share her enhanced knowledge with veterinarians and other veterinary staff.

Susan is committed to making veterinary medicine free of fear. To support this objective, she holds Fear Free and Cat Friendly certifications. Susan has also been published in the NAVTA journal for her innovative technique on restraint-free blood draws in canines. By improving training techniques for behavioral issues in cats and dogs using positive reinforcement and the humane hierarchy, Susan has significantly improved the lives of many clients and their cherished pets. These same methods are also applied in the veterinary hospital to enhance the experience for patients and their owners.