Jamie Diaz, Owner, CPDT-KA
Jamie Diaz is the new owner and Training Director of Lucky Dog Training Club. She has been passionately training dogs for over 15 years using strictly positive reinforcement/force free methods. She is a certified Dog Trainer with a CPDT-KA certification and is licensed under Victoria Stilwell. As part of Victoria Stilwell’s Positive Dog Training Team, Jamie is an ambassador for force free methods and serves as a mentor to aspiring force free trainers around the country.
She is also a certified K9 Nose work instructor, CGC evaluator, Trick Dog Certified Trainer, and is working on case studies for the Treat/Retreat Certification that focuses on dog to people reactivity. She is also proud to serve as an evaluator and instructor for the great new program C.L.A.S.S. which was formed by the APDT to promote training focused on the use of positive reinforcement and to strengthen relationships through positive training methods.
Jamie also owns Dynamite Dog Training, which currently has two training centers; the original location in Deerfield Beach that has been successfully operating for 10 years, and a second center in Delray Beach that has been in operation for 4 years now.
Tonja “Toni” Fugate, Director of Day Training and Group Class Programs
Toni Fugate, has been a team member since 2021. She possesses a unique blend of expertise in team management and dog training. Her passion for dogs was ignited early in life, growing up with a Marine father who served in the Canine Unit. This early exposure fostered a deep understanding and respect for working canines that has stayed with her throughout her life.
Toni’s background in the banking industry, specifically in mortgage origination and team building, honed her organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work under pressure – all of which are crucial in the fast-paced and demanding environment of dog training.
A core tenet of Toni’s philosophy is that happy employees create a positive environment for dogs, which in turn enhances their learning abilities and overall productivity.
Toni provides private dog training sessions in clients’ homes and at the facility. She also offers group lessons from basic to advanced levels, and conducts outings to prepare service and therapy dogs for certification.
Toni is a Certified AKC CGC Evaluator, Tricks Evaluator, AKC Star Puppy Test Administrator, and AKC Canine Community Evaluator.
Alexis Morales, Dog Trainer
Alexis Morales joined the Lucky Dog Training team in June 2022, shortly after Jamie Diaz took over the operation. Equipped with nearly 10 years of experience interpreting and meeting the needs of dogs in his care and with equal passion for learning as for teaching, Alexis treats every interaction as a chance to connect and grow. Alexis aims to apply his unique experience and knowledge daily as a member of the Day Training team, where he and the rest of the team collaborate to draw the best out of each other and each client, canine and human.
Despite the amount of time he has worked with dogs, Alexis initially had plans of pursuing a degree in engineering. However, by the time Alexis had completed an associates degree in general engineering with a focus on systems, he had already fallen in love with working with dogs. His first job was at the local rescue where he volunteered during his high school years, but that was only the start. Even when his full-time job had nothing to do with dogs, he always made sure to keep a part-time job around them or he would volunteer at local shelters or rescues so he could stay connected to what he loved.
As fate would have it, Alexis found a way to marry his love for dogs and his passion for problem solving by jumping headfirst into the canine care industry once more. He would spend a large part of his early 20s working in various roles at various rescues and multiple dog resorts, even helping open a small dog only daycare in the heart of West Palm Beach. Drawing from the stories from his grandfather about life running a farm in his corner of the world and stories from his father about collecting firewood and never doing so alone because the local strays would gather and join him so he never felt unsafe in the woods of his hometown, Alexis knew the love for animals ran in his blood. This and the fact that he felt most alive engaging with his fellow animal lovers, whether they were co-workers, friends, or the parents to the animals he took care of every day, would lead him down a natural path to becoming a professional dog trainer.
Alexis finding himself at Lucky Dog Training Club would be the culmination of years spent trying to find a way to do what he loved in the most meaningful way. Here he received the opportunity to touch the lives of the dogs in his care in a way he had always aspired to, by focusing on the dog-owner relationship. Under the guidance of Jamie Diaz and with the support of the Lucky Dog team, Alexis hopes to enrich the lives of his students, canine and human, with an ever-growing set of tools and techniques based in bond building and positive reinforcement. From working with the team to develop training programs for individual dogs to helping dog owners connect with their dogs on a deeper level, Alexis takes pride in a lifelong commitment to achieving clear communication through mindful observation and action centered around three guiding principles of passion, engagement, and positive impact.
Cheryl VanVoorhies, Dog Trainer
Cheryl holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, as well as graduating from Jean Donaldson’s Academy for Dog trainers,regarded as the “ The Harvard school of dog training.”
A large part of her 35 year career was spent working with challenging students. This lead to a nice transition into her present career path. Cheryl started out assisting in Reactive dog class in 2008. She has lived the pain and triumph of living with a reactive dog of her own. This soon transitioned into her current position as a Veterinary Behavior Technician at Florida Veterinary Behavior Service, a veterinary behavior only specialty practice, where she has worked since 2012. She implements and troubleshoots all behavior modification treatment plans to ensure her patients success. She deals with many anxious and aggressive animals with a wide range of emotional disorders.
Cheryl has lectured at the largest Veterinary Conference in North America speaking about noise aversion, and a Veterinary Technician Summit addressing noise aversion and motion sickness. She also lectures locally on many dog-related topics.
Cheryl is also a certified dog Instructor at Lucky Dog Training Club where she teaches many classes such as puppy class, Nose Work, obedience, and Fido Fun and Games. Cheryl’s extensive education and training brings a nice balance when working with clients and their pets.
Declan Jolowski, Trainer/Group Coordinator
Dogs have always been my passion, and my goal as a trainer is to strengthen the bond between pets and their owners through effective, positive reinforcement techniques. I believe that every dog has the potential to be a well-mannered companion, and with the right training, they can become a cherished part of any family’s daily life.
As a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator, I emphasize reward-based methods that build confidence and trust, helping dogs develop the skills they need to thrive at home and in public. My mission is not only to create well-behaved pets but also to keep dogs out of shelters by equipping owners with the knowledge and tools they need for success.
I’m always expanding my expertise in canine behavior and training, and I love seeing the transformation that comes from patience, consistency, and a little fun. I look forward to helping you and your dog create a happy, lasting partnership!
Eric Boyer, KPA-CTP – Trainer
Eric is a lifelong animal lover, long referred to as the “animal whisperer” by friends and family. His passion for dog training was ignited in 2017 by his rescue dog, Winston, which eventually inspired him to leave a fulfilling tech career and pursue a calling in positive reinforcement animal training. Eric is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP) and a credentialed Family Dog Mediator (FDM) who is dedicated to using only force-free training methods.
Eric brings a well-rounded, positive approach to his work with dogs and their families and enjoys channeling his energy into making a lasting, positive impact in the lives of dogs and their guardians every day.
Alecia Kieri – Trainer
I am a passionate and dedicated dog trainer with 6 years of experience working in shelter animal welfare. I also have experience in the vet tech industry for up to a year and have worked at day cares, worked as a groomer for a short period of time, and have also worked as a kennel tech. I use positive reinforcement to strengthen the bond between humans and their dogs and to help build confidence and trust in one another. I am fear free certified in the shelter world and on my way to become CPDT-KA certified. I work and train with dogs of all breeds and sizes. I have worked and helped with transports of dogs from hoarding cases, shelters hit by hurricanes with no placement for dogs, backyard breeders, etc. and we take them in and train them and make sure they are ready for adoption! I have helped other shelters dog test so they can place dogs easier for transport. I have experience running playgroups and dog testing. We use play groups sometimes to help build confidence with fear-based reactive dogs and to help modify a behavior plan for shelter dogs. I help train staff at the shelter so they are confident implementing the behavior plans for dogs to become adoption candidates. I am looking forward to continuing my career helping dogs and strengthening my knowledge to help other humans bridge the language gap between dogs and people.
Ibis “Alexa” Ballister, CPDT-KA – Trainer and Group Class Instructor
Meet Ibis, aka “Alexa,” the face of a new generation of dog trainers. Highly skilled and immersed in dog training since she could first hold a leash, Alexa’s passion for understanding dog behavior led her to earn her CPDT-KA certification in 2022, and she is also an AKC CGC Evaluator. After earning her bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Miami, Alexa transitioned from teaching in Boston to pursuing her love for dogs full-time.
Join Alexa on a journey of discovery and joy as you build a strong bond with your furry companion.
Julia Rubiero – Jr. Trainer
With over three years of experience in the pet industry, Julia has developed a deep passion for understanding and caring for dogs. Starting her journey at a doggy daycare, she quickly gained hands-on experience working with dogs of all sizes and temperaments. This foundation sparked a desire to further her expertise, and Julia is currently working towards becoming a certified dog trainer.
Throughout her career, Julia has dedicated herself to learning more about canine behavior, training techniques, and animal care. She is committed to providing dogs with the guidance, structure, and positive reinforcement needed to thrive. Passionate about animals and the pets well-being, Julia is focused on building strong, trusting relationships with both dogs and their owners, and helping them lead happy, balanced lives.
Michelle Steenkamp – Jr. Trainer
As a dedicated handler at Lucky Dog, I have been passionately involved in the dog industry since 2022. My journey began with a deep love for animals, which led me to pursue the well-being of dogs. I work closely with various breeds, ensuring they receive the care, and attention they need to thrive. My experience has allowed me to develop strong bonds with the dogs and their owners, helping to facilitate positive relationships.