My name is Dani, and I am a shelter dog trainer. I take animals that are at risk of euthanasia in the shelter system due to time, space, and behavior, rehabilitate them, and help them find their people.

In January of 2025, I took on one such dog named Briar. Briar was feral and suffered from neurological deficits that caused her to spin uncontrollably. I kept her in my bathroom because she couldn’t be crated or leashed, moving her through the house by opening doors and leaving the room. The sounds of the house and the confined space of my bathroom were stressful for her, and they made me long for a better setup for Briar and others like her. Since her passing due to an uncontrollable seizure disorder, I have continued to rehabilitate dogs, and my desire for a better space to save more dogs has only grown.

I currently have a small garden shed in my backyard that’s not being used for anything. In order to turn it into a training studio for dogs like Briar, I need to run electrical service to the building, add insulation, put up walls, and finish the interior to ensure it stays climate controlled year-round. I have estimates attached from both our contractor and electrician for things we can’t do ourselves, and a small buffer budget for supplies to furnish the interior, including AC, heat, paint, and light fixtures.