Puppy Counselor Resources

Vijay Joshi is a certified dog training professional with the Karen Pryor Training Academy (KPA-CTP). Starting out as a volunteer for Leader Dogs for the Blind, she has had the opportunity to provide support as a puppy raiser, puppy counselor for the prison puppy raising program and assist in client services. She worked as a puppy development coordinator before entering her current role as manager of raiser & host experience. Vijay has a strong belief that the joy can be seen on both ends of the leash when learning is fun!

Vijay graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a degree in nursing (RN). She is also Fear Free and TAGTeach Level 1 certified. She loves to innovate and explore ways to help support the canine partners and volunteers under our care.

In her spare time Vijay loves to hike, read and enjoy pizza! She spends time traveling with her husband and two children. When at home they all feel very fortunate to have the love of their six dogs and two horses.

Laura has been with Leader Dog since 2013. Her position includes a lot of contact with puppy raisers, including matching puppies with appropriate raisers, teaching training classes and supporting Prison Puppies. Laura has a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Michigan State University and over nine years of dog training experience. Her first contact with Leader Dog was in 2008 when she donated a dog that successfully completed guide dog training. The experience was highly memorable and eventually lead her to seek a full-time career at Leader Dog. She loves coming to work every day and enjoys the wide spectrum of experiences available from witnessing a C-section to meeting the clients. Laura’s family has raised seven puppies for Leader Dog. In her free time, she likes baking cakes, watching her kids sporting events and playing with her poodles, Mike and Jasper.

Allison graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in biology. While in Athens she volunteered with the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind as a puppy raiser and leadership team member. She raised 3 puppies with GDF. Venus was career changed, Bill is a working guide dog in New York, and Shannon is now a working guide! After graduation Allison worked as the foster-volunteer coordinator for an animal shelter in Georgia. She loved working with so many dedicated volunteers and so many different animals at the shelter. She also fostered a few animals while working at the shelter and adopted one kitten after bottle feeding him for the summer. Allison is excited to be working with volunteer puppy raisers as a puppy development coordinator and supporting them while they raise future Leader Dogs!

Ashley has been with Leader Dogs for the Blind since 2021. She initially served as the Canine Development Center Administrator and has recently transitioned into her role as a Puppy Development Coordinator, specializing in puppy placement and Behavior Checklist (BCL) evaluation.

Ashley graduated from Oakland University with a degree in Environmental Sciences, but her true passion has always been working with dogs. Growing up, Ashley’s father worked in the Rochester area, so she knew about Leader Dog from a young age, sparking her interest, leading her where she is today.

Currently, Ashley is working towards her Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP) certification and her BCL certification.

In her free time, she enjoys drawing, painting and caring for her dog Mavis and her cat Binx.

Lauren graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in zoology and has worked with Leader Dogs since 2021, starting as a puppy care attendant. She then worked in the veterinary clinic here at Leader Dogs, where she helped in an administrative and technical aspect. Lauren has over 10 years of animal handling experience and is a certified Fear Free advocate. Lauren is excited to help and connect with our puppy raiser volunteers and watch the puppies as they go through Leader Dog training from start to finish. Lauren’s hobbies include spending time with her husband and new baby, as well as her two puppies Knox ⁠(a CC’d LD) and Duke (a rescue). She enjoys gardening, knitting, crocheting, and being around (and in!) water in her free time.

Kim graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries & Wildlife Management. She brings over 11 years of experience working with both people and animals—domestic and wild. From managing a nonprofit animal shelter and a pet boarding/daycare facility to helping individuals address wildlife concerns, she has always been passionate about problem-solving and helping others.

Since 2022, Kim has raised five Future Leader Dogs and volunteered as a Puppy Counselor. Her puppies have gone on to serve in a variety of roles—two graduated as Leader Dogs, one became a Leader Dog mom, and one was medically career-changed. Her most recent puppy, FLD Rowdy, where he will finish his year with a team of inmate handlers before returning for his formal guide dog training. She’s looking forward to seeing what career path he chooses for himself in 2026!

As part of the puppy development team Kim works with college campus and outside puppy raisers. This role is the perfect blend of her background in higher education and her passion for puppy raising. In her free time, Kim enjoys spending time with her husband and pets, two cats (Ruger & Daisy) and two Labradors (career-changed Fern and retired Leader Dog Turk). She also loves being outdoors – camping and hiking, and enjoys creative activities such as drawing, painting, and photography.

Bri has been with Leader Dogs for the Blind since 2016 but made the transition to breeding and puppy development in 2024. In her role, she supports our Leader Dog Mom and Dad host homes to provide the best beginnings for our neonatal Future Leader Dogs. She works closely to monitor and support the early development and socialization of our puppies. Additionally, she supports first-time whelping moms and host families, to ensure a smooth delivery process.

Bri studied dog body language in Animal Assisted Interventions at Oakland University and is a Certified Assessor of the Behavioral Checklist. She is also a Karen Pyror Academy – Certified Training Partner and Fear Free Certified Professional.

At home, Bri and her husband stay busy with their many children, animals and houseplants.