Meet Our Trainers
Patti Buchanan
I help people live out their unique vision of a clear, confident, successful partnerships with their dog(s). I aim to support a handler’s understanding of the dog in front of them. You will learn to communicate more effectively and develop the skills needed to reach your goals—whether at home, in class, in sport, or in the field.
My background includes shelter work and volunteer experience in Florida and Rhode Island, as well as professional training in canine fitness, behavior, scent work, obedience, and search and rescue. I am a Canine Massage Therapist, Certified Canine Athlete Specialist, AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator, FIT DOG instructor, and judge for UKC and USCSS scent work.
I teach puppy classes, basic obedience, agility, and nose work, and I work privately with families to address household challenges, improve communication, and strengthen the bond between dog and handler.
I have nationally certified three of my own dogs in human remains detection and trailing. I served for 12 years with Sarasota K9 Search and Rescue in Florida, including as a supervisor for both trailing and detection. In that role, I oversaw detection and trailing training, supported testing, and assisted with training seminars.
My continuing education includes training through NAPWDA, SWFLSAR, NASAR, CSAR water detection, Randy Hare detection, NCSAR, MSAR, GAK9, and additional detection-focused webinars. I also studied for several years with animal behaviorist Conni Borwick as a mentor, completed dog obedience training through the Michael Ellis School, and have studied with respected professionals including Suzanne Clothier, Jay Jack, Erica Boling, Natalie Duberow, and Michael Shikashio.
Today, I continue to train my dogs and compete in nose work, obedience, and tracking trials. My goal and passion is to help each dog-and-handler team build practical skills, mutual trust, and a stronger working relationship.
Karen McCarthy
Karen holds a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Simmons College and completed her mentor hours at Boston MSPCA’s Behavior Department. Karen is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) , a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), a American Kennel Club Evaluator and Judge, and an Authorized Mentor Trainer for Animal Behavior College and CATCH. Karen also has a Citation in Animal Cognition from Harvard University Extension School, and regularly attends seminars with the best instructors and theorists in the dog training field, including Dr. Ian Dunbar, Patricia McConnell, Susan Garrett, Kathy Sdao, and John Rogerson. Originally a high school special education teacher working with behaviorally disordered adolescents, Karen switched to professional dog training in 2006. She trained extensively under Jim Barry of Reston Dog Training, better known as the RI Dog Guy. Experienced as a veterinarian assistant, Karen switched to dog training a over decade ago. Courteous Canine, LLC provides private and group training to Rhode Island.
Her credentials specifically related to dog training are:
Master of Science in Behavior Analysis (simmons.edu)
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (iaabc.org)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (cpdt.org)
Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach (CSCC) North Carolina State University
AKC Canine Good Citizen/Star Puppy Evaluator (akc.org)
AKC Community & Urban Canine Evaluator (akc.org)
AKC Virtual Home Manners (Puppy & Adult) (akc.org)
AKC Trick Dog Evaluator (akc.org)
AKC Temperament Test & Farm Dog Evaluator (akc.org)
AKC Fit Dog Instructor Levels 1, 2, 3 (akc.org)
AKC Fetch Judge (akc.org)
Kim Cipolla
Kim Cipolla, Founder and Owner of Eye to Eye Dog Training, has over 20 years of experience working with dogs of all sizes, ages and temperaments. Her focus is on developing the relationship between the dog and their human through the use of clear, consistent cues and body language. Kim specializes in addressing behavior problems common among dogs adopted from shelters and rescue organizations. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), fully insured and an evaluator for Canine Good Citizenship titles. Kim is also a certified yoga instructor. She lives in Portsmouth, RI with her mixed breed rescue dog Bhaja.