Our Values at Dog Training Elite Denver

Bert Ballard

Operations Manager & Chief Finance Officer - DTE Denver

A former professor of communication at Pepperdine University, Bert has shifted his expertise to improving relationships and communication between dogs and their handlers. After nearly a decade and a half of living in Canada, California, and China, he is glad to be home in Colorado, where he was raised and graduated from Colorado State University with his B.S. from Colorado State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Denver.

Bert grew up around a lot of different kinds of dogs, and his family has owned and raised many dogs over the years. In addition to expertise in communication (widely published on many different topics), Bert brings entrepreneurial and business management experience. You will always find him with his small (only 70 lbs!) Bernedoodle, Binh An, next to him as they work together. When not helping with the family business of Dog Training, you'll find him biking, hiking, camping, or trying to get some rest!

Sarah Ballard

Owner & Marketing / Community Relations Director

A former professor of communication at Pepperdine University, Sarah is pursuing a new passion! Especially passionate about the service dog programs we offer, she has seen firsthand how the bond between dogs and people can help someone live more fully, especially with a well-trained service dog.

In addition to bringing communication and counseling expertise and having dogs around her all of her life, Sarah grew up managing her family's business in Estes Park, Colorado. A true Colorado native, she is glad to be home among the mountains and fresh air!

Sarah earned a B.S. from Colorado State University, and M.A. in counseling from Denver Seminary. Her companion, a Border Collie-Doodle ("bordoodle"), Oso, is a huge cuddler and he will always be there when someone needs a hug. Like Sarah, Oso is outgoing, positive, and enjoys bringing a smile to everyone's face!

Hosnah S

Human Resources Director

Hosnah is an Afghan-American daughter of refugee parents who came to the US to escape a deadly war in the 1980s. Because her parents sacrificed their dreams for family, Hosnah strives to make hers come true and offer similar opportunities for others. She does this as the Human Resource Director for DTED as well as Colorado Springs and Boulder.

Fun facts: Hosnah is a classically trained violinist of 23 years, speaks three languages fluently, was once runner-up Ms. Asian American Colorado, was awarded Colorado’s Model of the Year, and has been a guest facilitator at universities across the country.

Tara D

Communication & Legal Support

Tara grew up in Philadelphia and moved across the country to start her career in Denver as a therapist after graduating with her MSW. When her service puppy, a Bernadoodle named Ronniegh, began training at DTED, Tara received the opportunity to make a career change and became the Executive Coordinator of the DTED branch, quickly feeling right at home thanks to the incredible team.

In her free time, Tara can nearly always be found with Ronniegh, but she also loves to hike, bake, play piano, discover the best brunch spots, and spend as much time as possible with family and friends.

Lauren B

DTE Boulder Branch Manager

Lauren is truly passionate about helping people and their families strengthen the bond between themselves and their dog.

As a previous marketing manager for a global company, Lauren brings her ability to effectively communicate and listen to each person’s individual needs to DTE to create a personalized training program where everyone can succeed. She brings this passion and talent as Branch Manager for DTE Boulder.

Lauren grew up in Colorado with the mountains in her backyard, and now, she loves to go on adventures throughout the Rocky Mountains with her dog Marty, a tri-color Australian Shepherd. Whether it’s hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, kayaking, fishing, or sometimes all of the above, Marty is always there by her side, ready for what’s next.

Lucas M

DTE Colorado Springs Branch Manager

Lucas found his passion for working with dogs during an elementary school visit by a K9 officer and a dog trainer. He soon began training the family dogs and eventually grew into doing therapy work with one and acting as a show dog handler for another.

Originally from Denver, Lucas attended college specializing in Recreational Therapy and Psychology. Now, he serves as the Branch Manager for Colorado Springs, where he weds his childhood passion with his desire for helping and supporting others. Although he loves therapy and service work, it is the impact he makes on families that motivates him each day!

Lucas owns Bailey (a Pit/Shepherd who is his psychiatric service dog), Gimli (a Golden Retriever puppy who is being scent trained), two black cats named Lilith and Conrad, and a bunny named Sunday.

Devon A

Facility Manager

Devon has a background in security, and he protected our nation's traveling public for over 12 years. During this time, he was responsible for teaching and assessing thousands of officers in their daily security screening duties. Devon is now pursuing his lifelong dream of training dogs, working with clients to improve their owner/dog relationship, develop a solid foundation of basic obedience and advanced skills, and enhance quality of life for both owners and their dogs. Devon is a Colorado native who loves the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. When he isn't helping owners and their dogs, he can be found enjoying his family with his wife, 4 kids, and his American Bulldog, Nala.

Adrea G

Marketing Director

Adrea (or Dre for short) has a BS in Marketing and Advertising with a goal to help as many people as possible. In her role as Communications Coordinator, her daily goal is to make at least one person smile. Her service dog, Chardonnay, inspired her to make working with dogs a full-time career helping the dogs and owners she gets to work with every day at DTE Denver. When Adrea is not working, you can find her at home watching the Denver Nuggets with her husband and second dog, Phantom.

Dave

Sales & Community Partnerships

Breanna

Communications Support

Dana

Assistant Facility Manager

Syd

Lead Trainer

Adria B

Training Specialist

Graduating from high school early, yet still encountering significant health challenges, Adria acquired a service dog that has changed her world and allowed her to maintain her functioning and keep moving forward. Her service dog, a Border Collie-Doodle ("bordoodle") named SnickerDoodle, provides seizure alerts in addition to keeping the other dogs in line!

Although Adria has lived in a lot of places (Canada, China, California), she was born in Colorado and is glad to return (living only one block from her childhood home!). Adria brings not only instant rapport and love for our four-legged friends, but also first-hand experience of how dogs change lives. The whole family credits SnickerDoodle for being the one to start the idea of training dogs. Both SnickerDoodle and Adria are excited for the opportunity to help other people get their lives back, reduce their stress, and experience the healing power of dogs as companions, service animals, and family members.

Becca S

Trainer

Becca Sterling recently graduated with a speech therapy degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder and is now pursuing a doctorate in audiology. She's lived in Colorado for 17 years, and dogs have always been a presence in her house. She now has a two-year old silver Labrador Retriever named Juno who is her best friend! Together they hike, camp, swim, and climb 14ers (peaks over 14,000 feet - we've got 58 here in Colorado!). Becca says getting Juno trained was the best decision she's ever made and she looks forward to sharing this experience with you and your dog!

David S

Trainer

A father of sons who have served our country with dignity, a daughter who is also passionate about dogs, and a grandfather in the best role of his life, David innately understands that training a dog is about commitment, consistency, work, and love. David specializes in puppies, obedience, public access, and protection work. He is learning aggression, anxiety, advanced tasks, therapy dogs, and service dogs. When not training dogs or working in IT, David is spending time with family and his Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix, Jupiter.

Dora Mae G

Trainer

Dora Mae found a passion for training while raising and caring for her first dog over a decade ago. Now, as a dog trainer with DTED, she strives to help other pet owners succeed, feel supported in the learning process, and learn all necessary information to be the best parent to their pets.

As a Dog Trainer, Dora Mae greatly enjoys seeing dogs and humans living in harmony together and wants to equip everyone to succeed. In her free time, she is training to be a Veterinary Assistant and loves to cook, bake, craft, and spend time with her husband, two children, two cats , and the dog that started it all– her best friend, Dexter.

Avery

Trainer

Fallon

Trainer

Kyla

Trainer

Denyse

Trainer