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 dog’s 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
Owner and Manager
Marcos Flores
General Manager
Mariya Sergeeva
Assistant General Manager
Laura Cavillo
Office Manager
Laura Zaragoza
Office Manager
Mariah Griffin
Office Manager/Care Taker
Maria Castaneda
Dog Groomer
Amy Hammonds
Director of Training Department
Amy Hammonds
As the daughter of a veterinarian Amy has worked with dogs since the age of 13. This background instilled in her the importance of education and customer service. With over 20 years of dog training experience Amy prides herself in using only positive reinforcement to train dogs as well as their owners.
Always staying current with the latest in trends and developments in the industry, Amy is a member of the Association of Professional Humane Educators (APHE) and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Amy regularly attends seminars to expand her knowledge and remain relevant.
Amy works with all kinds of dogs from puppies to reactive or shy dogs. Her philosophy begins by understanding how to best communicate with each dog, then she works with their owner to help them build a bond based on consistency and support.
Amy will be teaching classes and offering private training as well as board & train services in her position as Directorof Training at K9 University Chicago. She will work with all trainers to develop a broad range oftraining services that assist any dog and their owners as they work to improve communicationand strengthen their relationship.
Grace Huffman
Dog Trainer
Grace Huffman
Grace has been around dogs throughout her life. In many ways her life is centered around dogs. From training dogs, to relying on Medical Alert Service Dogs for daily tasks, to competing in National Agility competitions, dogs have been teammates, companions and life partners.
Grace’s home pack currently consists of four dogs each with their own special skills and gifts. She trains and competes in agility with her two Miniature Schnauzers Gus and Bernie, who qualified for nationals in his first year of competing! As well as her Standard Poodle, Rafiki, and her Sheltie, Bella, who is a NADAC Champion. Rafiki is also a working Medical Alert Dog and training for Water Fowl retrieval in her spare time.
At K9U Chicago Grace will teach all levels of Agility Training from puppies to competition and will be teaching group obedience training classes. Grace uses only positive training methods and believes in having fun while learning new skills that enhance the bond between dogs and their owners.
When not at K9U Chicago Grace volunteers with shelters and rescue groups in Naperville to help the disabled connect and train service dogs. She also founded Beard & Golden a hand-made custom clothing company providing dog gear and accessories.
Victoria Comerford
Dog Trainer
Victoria (Tori) Comerford
A Chicagoland native with a degree in Zoology from SIU, Carbondale, Tori comes to K9U Chicago with a diverse background caring for and understanding animals. This has provided her with the experience to not only train dogs but teach owners how to positively strengthen the bond they have with their dog.
Tori believes in the power of communication as a valuable skill that helps dogs become secure and well socialized. This starts with understanding dog body language and the subtle cues they send to express their feelings of fear, confusion, frustration and joy. Her work as a trainer starts with sharing this knowledge through fun games and exercises that allow dogs the chance to fundamentally be dogs while nurturing and rewarding new behaviors.
Tori has experience working with all types of dog breeds and families who have needs that range from welcoming new puppies to older dogs with specific challenges including reactivity and other behaviors that require training to desensitize the dogs to certain objects, noises or other dogs.
Tori will be teaching all levels of obedience training as well as working with daycare day train clients, our board & train camps and providing private training sessions.
Sofia Rios
Driver/Office Manager
Caitlin Clifford
Transport Driver
Donna Rojas
Transport Driver
Fernando Garza
Transport Driver
Sandra Fasser
Transport Driver
Eddie Santiago
Transport Driver
Brianna Kassal
Care Taker/Transport Driver
Erika Ortega
Care Taker/Transport Driver
Davareyon Clark
Transport Driver
Butts Shed
Care Taker/Dog Handler
Cynthia Wilson
Care Taker/Dog Handler
Djuana Cobb
Care Taker/Dog Handler
Joselyn Teliz
Care Taker/Dog Handler
James Skelton
Care Taker/Dog Handler
Lionel Moore
Care Taker/Dog Handler
Micah Griffin
Care Taker/Dog Handler
Natalia Quiceno
Agility Trainer/Care Taker
Rossalynn Landa
Care Taker/Dog Handler
Silvia Banchero
Care Taker/Dog Handler
Tom Carroll
Care Taker/Dog Handler
Jestine Solo
Cleaning Crew
Hector Vega
Sanitizing Specialist
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