Welcome to Wildly Urban Training

Rebecca’s passion for animal–human interaction began early and has always been rooted in a deep respect for animal welfare. What started with hands-on experience caring for my own animals quickly grew into a lifelong calling.

After graduating high school, Rebecca pursued environmental science, which led to an internship at an exotic wildlife sanctuary. With a intensely long-held dream of working with dolphins, she shifted her focus toward exotic animal care and training and was accepted into the Zoo Animal Technology program—an intensive, highly respected program accredited through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).

During the program, Rebecca was selected to help lead an Asian Small Clawed Otter training team, an experience that  fueled my passion even further for training and cooperative care. She went on to volunteer at several zoological facilities, including the Jacksonville Zoo and Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, working hands-on with a wide variety of species. Some of my most memorable experiences were with manatees, sloths, anteaters, gorillas, elephants, and tigers.

After earning her Associate’s degree in Zoo Animal Technology, Rebecca completed a dolphin training internship at the Marineland Conservation Center. She then worked at SeaWorld’s Pets Ahoy before being offered a position as Head Keeper of Bears and Primates at a zoological facility in Silver Springs, Florida.

After getting married and relocating, Rebecca’s career path shifted geographically away from large zoological facilities. This led her to PetSmart, where she entered the world of dog training. She became a Level 3 Certified Trainer, supported multiple stores in the region, and later earned certification in therapy dog training.

When the pandemic hit, Rebecca decided to take everything she had learned—from zoological training and cooperative care to behavior science and humane methods—and build something of my own. That decision became Wildly Urban Training, where Rebecca now helps dogs and their people thrive together through ethical, science-based, positive reinforcement training.