Our Team
All of our faculty and staff are animal owners and lovers. From our professional trainers to our caring support staff, many of the K9 University Chicago Team members participate in pet rescue, foster programs and dog sporting events and shows.
We are dedicated to making your dogโs stay comfortable, safe and fun. As experts on breeds, behaviors and nutrition, we provide professional, reliable and skilled care to dogs of all ages, shapes, sizes and temperaments.
All our trainers utilize positive training techniques to improve the bond between dogs and their handlers. We believe by providing each dog and their families with the skills they need to build a strong foundation they can reinforce the progress they make in our classes and private sessions throughout the life of their dog.
Meet Our Team
Ruby Madrigal
Founder
Mariya Sergeeva
Chief Executive Officer
Courtney Day
General Manager
Maverick Malina
Assistant General Manager
Michael Lucas
Supervisor
Sharon Pickette
Supervisor
Molly Sarate
Supervisor
Mica Fernandez
Supervisor
Laura Cavillo
Office Manager
Laura Zaragoza
Office Manager
Naomy Miranda
Office Manager
Irie Defrates
Office Manager
Jonathan Polich
Lead Dog Trainer
Jonathan Polich
Jon has been in the dog industry in Chicago for 13 years. He started off running his own dog walking company and made his way into dog training close to 10 years ago. Jon is CPDT-KA certified and has been training dogs in the Chicago land area for around 10 years in doggy daycares and also privately. Jon believes training dogs is not only about working with your dog and their needs, but also being able to properly communicate dog behavior so you the dog owner can better connect with trust and understand how to work with your dog throughout its life.
Jon is a believer in the humane hierarchy of dog training and working with positive reinforcement-based training. Jon works with most behavioral needs such as puppy training, basic obedience, loose leash walking training, impulse control, relaxation protocol, dog reactive/people reactive training, as well as socialization training in small and large dog groups
Pablo Maldonado
Dog Trainer
Pablo Maldonado
Pablo is an established trainer and business founder of multiple dog care companies with specialties in training, boarding and canine nutrition.
As a participant in several highly regarded training seminars, Pablo enjoys working with all dog breeds including high energy dogs where he uses soft sports, such as Agility Training, to provide these active dogs with a positive way to focus their energy and modify unwanted behaviors. Along with his customized approach to training based on each dogโs individual needs, Pablo creates a unique comprehensive training environment for every client.
Born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, Pablo offers Private Training and all levels of Group Obedience Training in Spanish. He is also very active with Board and Train camps providing Spanish commands for dogs as needed for those clients who prefer to speak Spanish at home.
Joshua D. Johnson
Dog Trainer
Joshua D. Johnson
Joshua D. Johnson is a seasoned dog trainer with over nine years of professional experience, specializing in obedience, behavior modification, and high-drive working dogs. He holds multiple industry certifications, including Animal Behavior College Dog Training Certification, and police and sport dog decoy certification. His skillset spans from foundational pet obedience to advanced working dog applications, with a proven ability to bring out the best in each dog through a balanced, results-driven approach.
In addition to his individual accomplishments, Joshua played a key role in developing and launching Canine Kingdom, a successful dog daycare and training business. His hands-on expertise extends to creating training programs, managing client relations, and building a thriving canine community. Whether working with family companions, service dogs, or sport competitors, Joshuaโs training philosophy blends precision, clarity, and strong handler communication to ensure lasting results.
Joshuaโs foundation in discipline and performance comes from his military background, where he served as an infantryman and worked alongside military working dogs. This experience instilled a deep understanding of canine capability, drive, and teamwork under pressure. Today, he continues to combine his military precision with a passion for helping dogs and handlers succeed, making him a trusted figure in both pet and professional working dog circles.
Maria Castaneda
Dog Groomer
Joseph Robinson
Dog Handler | Kennel Attendant
Joaquin De Jesus
Dog Handler | Kennel Attendant
Lowell Matias
Dog Handler | Kennel Attendant
Marcus Boggs
Dog Handler | Kennel Attendant
Scott Nichols
Dog Handler | Kennel Attendant
Taylor Parker
Dog Handler | Kennel Attendant
Bella Raimondi
Kennel Attendant
Daisy Carrillo
Kennel Attendant
Violeta Saldana
Kennel Attendant
Jesus Rebollar
Kennel Attendant
Rick Andreasen
Dog Handler - Trainer Apprentice
Edward Toro
Transport Driver
Eddie Santiago
Transport Driver
Andy Gasyna
Transport Driver | Kennel Attendant
Sandra Fasser
Transport Driver
Yolanda Lara
Driver
Gabino Hernandez
Transport Driver
Ivan Hernandez
Cleaning Crew
Cynthia Wilson
Care Taker/Dog Handler
Lionel Moore
Care Taker/Dog Handler
Shed Butts
Care Taker/Dog Handler
Tom Carroll
Care Taker/Dog Handler
Andrea Vazquez
Cleaning Crew
William Santiago
Cleaning/Overnight Crew
Free Training Evaluation