Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant/Family Mediator
Originally from the the USA, Karis started working with dogs professionally in 1996. She has hugely varied background in animal work; puppy training, doggy daycare, obedience, behaviour problems, dog sports, aggressive dogs, shelter work, and on set movie training with a variety of animal species.
In 2005 Karis came to South Africa on a vacation, fell in love with the country, and decided to stay put. She lives there with her husband, daughter, 3 cats and 4 dogs.
Known for her humane and effective training and behaviour solutions, Karis is a nationally known and well-respected dog behaviour consultant, regularly appearing on TV and radio in South Africa. Her training school, Happy Dogs, offers 60 plus classes per month. She is a judge for the South African Dog Agility Association, and a licensed animal wrangler for the film industry.
After recognizing the need for ‘dog centered mediation’ during divorce, Karis became an internationally accredited family mediator. After 26 years of experience and working with thousands of dogs, she combines her wealth of knowledge animal behaviour with mediation to help her clients make the best decision for their dog’s long-term wellbeing during divorce.
Her goal is to help her clients see the dogs not as weapons or leverage against their ex, nor as human children, but as the individuals they are with their own needs. She collaborates with mediators and attorneys worldwide as well as offering regular webinars to educate divorce professionals about pets and divorce.
Karis works online worldwide offering solutions and guidance for families going through separations and divorce with their animals. She advises and mediates custody arrangements and provides behaviour support for owners with dogs who are showing signs of stress pre and post-divorce.