Nebraska Dog Trainers
Lesley – Owner and Founder
Nebraska Dog Trainers is owned by founder Lesley Thompson. Lesley is excited to bring her wealth of knowledge and experience to the area. She is very experienced in training dogs for basic and advanced obedience, therapy dog certification, as well as dealing with behavioral modification. Lesley loves dogs and has always had them in her life. She has been fostering, grooming and training dogs on a volunteer basis since 2002. In 2015, Lesley decided to make the big leap to professional dog training by opening the doors to “Nebraska Dog Trainers”. She has finally figured out how not to work another day in her life because of her passion for what she does. When you love what you do as much as she does, it can not be work. She currently has a Standard Poodle named Margaux. Lesley’s philosophy is a dog should enhance your life not inhibit it!
Michele – Owner & Lead Trainer NDT Lincoln, Partner Omaha
Michele is the owner our Lincoln location and lead trainer and has been training for Nebraska Dog Trainers since December 2015. She has a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a Companion Animal Focus from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has worked with many different species of animals over the years through her internships at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo and the Capital Humane Society. Michele has also worked in vet clinics and a doggy daycare during college and continues education in all areas of dog training online. Michele and her husband have a Vizsla (Royal), a Dutch Shepherd/Belgian Malinois/GSD mix (KC), and two cats (Billie and Binx). Michele’s favorite part about being a dog trainer is being able to help owners have well-behaved dogs that become a special part of their families. She believes it can be such a blessing to have your dog as a companion joining in all of life’s adventures!
Shyra - NDT Trainer & Partner Omaha
Shyra has lived in Nebraska since September 2014 and grew up in New Hampshire. She attended Unity College in Maine and graduated with a captive wildlife care and education degree. Shyra has worked at different dog daycare/boarding/grooming places and has interned at two different zoos. Shyra and her husband have three dogs, two black Long-Haired German Shepherds (Raeyna & Aria) and a Chocolate Lab (Beretta). Her favorite thing about being a dog trainer is knowing the difference she made in, not only the dog’s life, but the owners as well. When you have a well-mannered dog that you can take with you everywhere you go, both of your lives are greatly improved.
Meet our amazing team of dog trainers!
Roberta - NDT Trainer Omaha, South Dakota
Originally from South Dakota, Roberta has been madly in love with dogs her entire life. Always having dogs as family pets, Roberta has decades of experience with dogs. She has an art education degree and has spent over fifteen years in the education field helping students embrace and express their creativity. Taking from her education training, Roberta now applies these skills to helping pet owners and their dog’s bond over obedience. Roberta and her family have three rescue dogs of their own; Bebe, a Doberman Pinscher, Luca, a Retriever and Poodle mix, and Ruby, a Pit Bull and Labrador mix.
Jessica - Trainer NDT Lincoln
Jessica has worked in a couple different fields in the last 15 years, but the one constant has been her work with dogs. For years she has fostered, boarded, and dog walked around her full-time career. Jessica was training her foster dogs’ obedience and making sure they had the utmost confidence before finding their forever home. It was just a matter of time before she followed her passion that led her to Nebraska Dog Trainers! Jessica has a 10 year old Maltese mix (Noah); he is her favorite little being on this planet! It's Jessica's love and goal to help others feel confident with their dogs and any adventure they decide to go on!
Mikaela - Trainer NDT Omaha
Mikaela was born and raised in Lincoln, NE. She got her bachelor’s from Nebraska Wesleyan University and Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University. She spent several years as a volunteer puppy raiser for Domesti-Pups, training the pups in basic obedience before sending them on for their advanced training. She loves animals and children, filling her home and family with both! She has three dogs, Griffin a 12-year-old rescue, Juno a 2-year-old Aussiedoodle, and Harper a 2-year-old Golden Retriever. She also has 5 chickens and previously had a lamb, guinea pigs, cockatiels, hamsters, and hatched ducks and chickens. She and her husband are breeders as well and enjoy all things dogs. Mikaela’s favorite part of being a dog trainer is watching how quickly the dogs are able to learn and sending them home to their family with good manners – which makes life more fun for everyone!
Jaci - Trainer NDT Lincoln
From her earliest memories, Jaci’s heart was captivated by her childhood pup, a chocolate Lab, which inspired her lifelong love for dogs. Jaci was raised in Lincoln and graduated from UNL with a bachelor's degree in applied science and a minor in psychology. She spent a few years in Wisconsin where she volunteered as a puppy raiser/trainer for WAGS (Wisconsin Academy of Graduate Service Dogs) and it was during this time that she first learned how to teach basic and advanced obedience, such as having the pups open refrigerator doors and fetching. This experience sparked her interest in dog training, and she has pursued opportunities to learn much more about dog training! Throughout her career, Jaci has worked in various vet clinics, and has always enjoyed working with animals. Now back in Nebraska, she finds joy in the company of her two Golden Retrievers, Mini Goldendoodle, two kittens, four ducks, and two geese. Her childhood love for dogs has blossomed into a fulfilling career!
Laura Beth - Trainer NDT Omaha
Originally from southeastern Kentucky, Laura has always been surrounded by animals and especially loves dogs. She is currently the leader of a pack of four wild humans and three sweet dogs. Laura got her Master’s in British Literature, but after bouncing around as a military spouse, she has been a stay-at-home mom and practicing her herding and training abilities with her family and dogs. Since putting roots down in Papillion with her husband’s military retirement, she decided to follow her passion for animals. Laura is currently studying to get her Master of Professional Science in Animal Science and Behavior with a focus on Canines and Felines. She loves training dogs because she enjoys seeing the difference it makes in the happiness of the dogs and their families.
Morgan - Trainer NDT Omaha
Morgan is a dedicated animal lover who moved to Omaha from a small town in Iowa. Growing up surrounded by various pets, dogs have always held a special place in her heart. With several years of experience working in a doggie daycare, Morgan has developed a deep understanding of dog behavior, which she now applies to her training practices. She shares her home with her partner and their five rowdy fur babies: two dogs, Diya and Echo, and three cats, Jasper, Apollo, and Saber. Morgan's passion for animals continues to shape her life and career, as she strives to create positive experiences for both pets and their owners.
Micaela - Trainer NDT
Micaela has lived in Nebraska since 2018, but grew up all around the country. She's loved dogs for as long as she can remember and has always known she wanted to work with them. All through school Micaela worked as a dog walker and pet sitter. After coming to Lincoln, she worked at the Capital Humane Society for 3 years as well as various dog daycares and boarding facilities. Micaela has over a decade of dog handling experience and loves working with dogs of all sizes. She has two dogs, an older Chihuahua, Sandy, and a Border Collie, Rocket, along with two cuddly cats named Fox Mulder and Zemo. Micaela's goal is to help owners and dogs communicate with each other and strengthen their bonds.
Best of Omaha award 4 years in a row!
Customized and reliable dog training — with results that last a lifetime!
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