🎉 New Location Update: Click here for updated location details and info on our March 15th open house!
🎉 New Location Update: Click here for updated location details and info on our March 15th open house!
Training services provided in the lower half of New Jersey
At Coastal Pines K9, our dog training team is fueled by an unwavering dedication to the well-being and success of every canine companion we work with. Each team member brings a profound passion for understanding and connecting with dogs, guided by a genuine love for animals and commitment to creating lasting relationships between owners and their pets. Our trainers are not just dog lovers—they are professionals, each with unique skills and experiences that shape our dog training programs in South Jersey.
Transform your dog’s behavior with customized training – Book a consultation!
Owner
With a lifelong love for dogs and a deep passion for canine behavior, Tom founded Coastal Pines K9 to help dogs and owners build stronger, more fulfilling relationships. Starting in Ocean County and now based in Burlington County, Tom has earned a reputation for compassionate, effective training. He is committed to helping all dog breeds and sizes thrive through lasting, positive results.
General Manager
Heather is a Certified Dog Trainer, graduating from Animal Behavior College, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Rutgers University. She is also Canine CPR & First Aid Certified. With over 10 years of hands-on experience, Heather has helped countless dogs and their owners build stronger relationships through structure, communication, and customized training plans that fit the dog in front of her—not a template.
Heather’s training foundation is rooted in Positive Reinforcement, but she values many training methods and believes in meeting each dog where they are. Her approach focuses on creating real-life reliability, strengthening confidence, and helping families feel understood and supported throughout the entire training process. She is passionate about educating owners just as much as training dogs, because lasting success doesn’t come from quick fixes—it comes from clarity, consistency, and follow-through.
At Coastal Pines K9, Heather’s mission is simple: to help dogs become happier, healthier, and better behaved while giving owners the tools they need to maintain results for life. For Heather, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a dog and their family finally living their best life together.
No cookie-cutter programs—just proven training, personalized for the dog in front of you.
Facilities Manager
Marisa has always had a passion for working with canines. From rescuing abandoned dogs as a child to teaching them how to be dogs, and grooming them with her mother, Marisa's love for dogs began early. Marisa spent 10 years working in kennels, grooming, teaching, and caring for dogs, with dog training always being a personal passion. She is dedicated to helping as many dogs as possible find their forever homes and become well-behaved companions.
Administrative Coordinator
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been called “the animal whisperer.” Deer and squirrels would eat from my hand, butterflies landed on me, and lost/abandoned dogs always seemed to find their way to my doorstep. My connection with animals has always felt intuitive—but it was tested and transformed in late 2020. During the height of the COVID shutdowns and the beginning of my post-graduate academic journey, I decided to adopt a rescue dog. What I thought would be a grounding companion turned out to be a genetic and behavioral challenge I could never have anticipated. However, I found my calling through his struggles—and through the guidance of his dedicated trainers whose approaches were rooted in compassion, adaptability, and the belief that every dog has the potential to grow when we listen deeply. Today, I’m committed to helping dogs thrive in the complex worlds we ask them to navigate, and to guiding owners in building meaningful, lasting relationships with their companions.
Trainer
Terran is a Certified Canine Training & Behavior Specialist through the Animal Behavior Institute and a Certified Service Dog Trainer through Bergin College of Canine Studies. Her lifelong passion for animals has shaped her into the well-rounded, compassionate trainer she is today. Growing up, Terran cared for an impressive variety of animals—dogs, cats, birds, chickens, toads, and even spiders—but dogs were always her greatest love. Her professional training journey began in Denver, Colorado, where she worked as a kennel technician. There, she honed her handling skills, strengthened her canine behavioral understanding, and steadily advanced into the role of trainer. Over the years, Terran has gained extensive experience working with fearful, reactive, and aggressive dogs, helping them build confidence and stability through patient, structured training. Terran brings a strong background in both balanced training and positive reinforcement methods, as well as specialized experience in PTSD and mobility service dog training. She is passionate about improving the lives of dogs and their families and is excited to bring her expertise, dedication, and love for dogs to the Coastal Pines K9 team.
Lead Trainer
Grace is a Certified Balanced Dog Trainer, graduating from the prestigious Kennelwood Academy for Professional Dog Trainers in Union, Missouri. Grace brings years of experience in competition obedience, scent work, protection training, tracking and trailing, service dog training, and reactive/aggression rehabilitation. Her passion for dogs stems from helping people and watching their relationships with their dogs develop and thrive.
K9 Solutions Director
Tiffany has always had a deep love for dogs, growing up surrounded by them and now sharing her home with three beloved companions- Sargent Pepperpots, Lady Jane Foster, and Miss Dizzy Lizzy Sherman. With a Master’s degree in Psychology, she brings a unique perspective to understanding canine behavior and applying dog psychology in her training approach. Known as a true “tiff of all trades,” she combines her academic background, lifelong passion for animals, and hands on experience to help dogs and their owners build lasting, positive relationships.
Trainer
Tim brings a deep understanding of canine behavior and a natural ability to connect with dogs to Coastal Pines K9. His love for video games has also proven to be a valuable asset in training. Tim's strategic thinking and quick reflexes, honed in the virtual world, translate seamlessly into crafting effective training plans for dogs. This innovative approach, combined with a heart full of compassion, creates a training experience that is not only highly effective but also enjoyable for both dogs and their owners.
Trainer
Hi, I'm Jessica, and dogs are my world! From a young age, I've always felt a deep connection with animals, especially dogs. Their loyalty, intelligence, and unique personalities inspire me every single day. Being a part of Coastal Pines K9 is a dream come true. At home, I spend my time with my own pup, Maggie, a total sweetheart with a big personality and a nose for adventure. She's my inspiration and daily reminder of how rewarding it is to connect with a dog on a deeper level.
Trainer
As a child, my family affectionately referred to me as the "Dog Whisperer" because dogs would always approach me, follow me around, and seem to listen to me wherever I went. Interestingly, I was highly allergic to dogs growing up, which often led to breakouts and asthma attacks. Despite this, my dream of working with animals, particularly as a veterinarian, was always strong. However, it wasn’t until about a year and a half ago, when I adopted my dog Athena, that I realized my true calling lay in dog training. This pivotal moment set me on the path to pursue a career in the field. Today, I am proud to be part of Coastal Pines K9 Dog Training, where I am able to blend my passion for dogs with my professional expertise.
K9 Solutions Specialist
Jeff has always had a deep passion for animals, especially dogs. From his very first dog, Maggie, to his current companion, Pip, dogs have been a constant presence in his life and a driving force behind his career. That lifelong connection inspired Jeff to pursue a degree in Environmental Science with a focus on Wildlife and to build hands-on experience working with animals in a variety of settings.
As a veterinary technician, Jeff developed a strong foundation in animal health, behavior, and overall well-being. In addition to his veterinary background, he has trained a wide range of species, including raptors and primates, giving him a well-rounded understanding of animal behavior, learning, and communication. Through these experiences, his love for dogs only grew stronger, ultimately leading him back to working one-on-one with canines and becoming part of the CPK9 team.
Jeff believes that every dog deserves the opportunity to live a confident, fulfilled life. His goal is to help dogs and their owners build clear communication, trust, and understanding—creating calmer homes and stronger bonds. Helping dogs live better lives isn’t just his job; it’s his purpose.
