The people, animals, and professional passion behind Fur and Feather Works
The Fur and Feather Works Philosophy
Professional animal training
We’re honored that most of our clients come from client or veterinary referrals. However you found us, we’ll take the best possible care of you and your animal.
Commitment to education
In an unregulated industry where anyone can declare themselves a dog, cat, or bird trainer, our credentials and dedication to ongoing professional development set us apart.
Science-based, force-free animal training
We stay up-to-date on the latest in training science, and use only positive reinforcement training techniques for real results, your animal’s well being, and your peace of mind.
Real customer service
Sadly, our industry has a reputation for unreliable service. We believe taking great care of our human clients is just as important as taking great care of our furred and feathered ones.
Real-life results
We know how busy our clients are with careers, family, or the freedom of retirement. That’s why our convenient services seek results you can count on in the bustle of everyday life.
The Fur and Feather Works Team (2-legged members)
Joanna Moritz, BA, CPDT-KA, CNWI
Owner, Trainer
Joanna combines a background in human teaching with 20 years of animal training experience to bring Reno dog, cat, and bird lovers the best possible training results.
A lifelong learning junkie, Joanna holds a degree in psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno, is certified as Knowledge Assessed through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, is a Certified Nose Work Instructor, and can be seen attending training conferences and seminars whenever the opportunity strikes. Joanna is a charter member of the Pet Professional Guild.
Joanna shares her Reno home with a mostly-rescued menagerie of two Amazon parrots, a disabled cockatiel, a Dutch bunny, an Australian Shepherd, Australian Cattle Dog/Chihuahua mix, an Australian Kelpie, and two cats.
Joan Bohmann, PhD, CPDT-KA
Trainer
Like everyone on the team, Joan values education and kindness for all species, so she uses her decades of experience in educational psychology to foster human and animal communication and well-being. Joan has years of experience in the rescue world, and is a member of the Pet Professional Guild and Paws 4 Love Reno. In between learning opportunities, you’ll often find her nose tucked into the most recent scientific literature on training, canine learning, and the human-canine bond.
Joan adds all that to a doctorate in educational psychology from Arizona State University, and has been recognized at the state and national level for her contributions to the profession of school psychology.
When not helping dog lovers enjoy the best possible behavior from and relationships with their dogs, Joan volunteers at the Nevada Humane Society fostering kittens, enjoys community involvement as the President of of Paws 4 Love Reno, does therapy dog work with her rescued Chihuahua Tango, and helps her other rescued Chihuahua mix, Sparkle, gain confidence and manners at home.
Ericka Kinsey, M.Ed.,
CPDT-KA, PMCT-1, FFCP-T, FPPE
Trainer
Ericka’s passion for dog training is contagious – and our clients love to catch the bug! Endlessly pursuing more education, Ericka is certified as Knowledge Assessed through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, is a level 1 Pat Miller Certified Trainer, a Certified Fear Free Trainer, a Family Paws Parent Educator, and is a member of the Pet Professional Guild and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Combined with a Master’s degree in English for Speakers of other Languages from George Mason University in Virginia, and her 14 years of experience teaching (human) English language learners, her dog training results are nothing sort of amazing!
When not helping clients to “speak” the language of their dogs, Ericka shares her heart with a Basset Hound/German Shepherd mix named Apollo who is a therapy dog, and a Labrador mix named Sadie. They are both rescues.
Heather Christian
Trainer
Heather’s first love is teaching people. She’s fascinated by how each individual person learns a bit differently, and she loves to adapt how she teaches to meet their needs – and then do the same with their dog!
In addition to her endless quest for knowledge, Heather brings to the table a 15 year career of training humans all over the West coast with In-n-Out, and she is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
At home, Heather trains her husband, young daughter, and two Huskies named Timber and Willow. They’re all fast learners.
Monica Oesterling, ABCDT
Trainer
Monica Oesterling combines her obsession with behavioral science with her 10+ years of dog training experience to bring our clients the best of her expertise.
Because she is strongly dedicated to kind, gentle, effective, and science-based methods, Monica earned her dog trainer certificate with Animal Behavior College back in 2005, is working on her B.A. in Psychology at UNR, is a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and she is working to renew her CPDT-KA.
When she’s not training (which is rarely), Monica enjoys skateboarding, snowboarding, hiking, backpacking, international travel, and exploring the Sierras with her Border Collie, Fin, and her Australian Kelpie, Goose.
Sarah Wiltse, CPDT-KA
Trainer
While Sarah’s education in dog training is what qualifies her, her ability to communicate clearly and her kindness are why our clients love her. With over 6 years of experience in dog training, and 5 years of experience in the rescue world, Sarah brings her considerable problem solving skills to every client interaction.
Because of her commitment to effective, humane, and science-based dog training, Sarah is certified as Knowledge Assessed through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, is completing advanced studies at CATCH Dog Trainer’s Academy, and is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
When she’s done coaching dog lovers into being the best trainers they can be, Sarah goes home to a husband and two teenagers, a bunny, a cat, and a fluffy little mixed breed dog named Lizzy, with whom she enjoys hiking, trick training, socializing and playing, and long cuddles.
Sarah Espinoza-Sokal, BA
Administrative Assistant
Our awesome administrative assistant Sarah is most likely the first person you’ll meet on our Fur and Feather Works team, as she’s the one who will answer your call, return your email, or confirm your class registration. She makes it her personal mission to get all questions answered, make everyone feel welcomed, and set a tone for the top-rate customer service we all strive for and pride ourselves on.
Sarah shares her life with Riley, the Border Collie mix, and Ziya, the Working Kelpie, and together they enjoy hiking, climbing, and competing in agility.
The Fur and Feather Works Team (4-legged members)
If your dog is uncomfortable around, fearful of, or aggressive toward other dogs, chances are you’ll get to know one or more of our hardworking stimulus dogs.
These pooches have been carefully chosen and trained for the work of convincing fellow canines that making dog friends is actually pretty cool. They’ve helped countless Fur and Feather Works clients and their dogs feel more comfortable walking in public, and have been a first friend to many of our clients’ dogs.
Our four-legged team members have uniquely suited temperaments for actively enjoying this work, and are beloved family members.
Fin, Border Collie
Stimulus Dog
Fin is an 11-year-old border collie with a kind and gentle soul. His “sweet as pie” attitude enables him to be an effective stimulus dog – putting other dogs at ease as they learn he’s nothing to be afraid of. Fin is well paid for his work in boiled chicken, freeze dried liver, or string cheese. In his free time, Fin enjoys sniffaris, naps, and learning tricks such as playing the piano, and “roll over and cover your eyes.”
Apollo, German Shepherd/Basset Hound mix
Stimulus Dog
Apollo is a sweet, friendly guy, who enjoys meeting dogs and people. He has his Canine Good Citizen title and is a registered therapy dog. While he loves anything edible (and some non-edibles), his favorite treats are string cheese and homemade beef jerky. When not eating or helping fellow dogs learn to relax, he engages in his other favorite activity: sleeping.
Raven, Australian Shepherd
Stimulus Dog
Outside of convincing fellow dogs that dogs are okay, Raven enjoys fetching her frisbee, wagging her tailless bum, hiking, swimming, eating, and herding the household cats. She has her Canine Good Citizen certificate and is a registered therapy dog. Raven’s training payment of choice is chicken. Or steak. Either is acceptable.
Lizzy, Mixed Breed
Stimulus Dog
When she’s not busy helping other dogs learn that dogs are okay, Lizzy loves to hike, learn tricks, solve puzzles, go swimming, and play. (She’s pretty serious about play!) She prefers to be paid for her hard work in chicken, string cheese, and freeze-dried liver.
Tango, Chihuahua
Stimulus Dog
Tango the Chihuahua is a busy little guy! When not engaged in stimulus dog work, Tango is obsessed with Nose Work and insists on playing it every day. He also occupies his time doing therapy dog work with Paws 4 Love, performing his many tricks for an enthusiastic crowd, and napping in his bed. He’ll work for any form of payment, as long as its edible. Despite his advanced education, he does not have a sophisticated palette.
“Thank you again to everyone…”
“Minnie has made so much progress, she’s a completely different dog. I would recommend Fur and Feather Works to anyone who wants to give both owners and fur children a better life. Thank you again to everyone there, you have changed my life and Minnie’s for the best!” – Minnie’s dad Ben, condensed from his Facebook review
Click here to read the full review plus many more
Ready for results and relief? Let’s get started!
Call us at (775) 420-2322
Fur and Feather Works offers the best in puppy training classes, dog training classes, private dog training, cat training, and bird training for the Reno area including Sparks, Washoe Valley, Incline Village, Lemmon Valley, Cold Springs, Palomino Valley, Pleasant Valley, Susanville, Carson City, Dayton, Garnerville, Minden, Marleeville, Verdi, Somerset, Spanish Springs, Fernley and Fallon.
