Get To Know Your Trainer
Alyson Yoo (they/them pronouns) started their animal welfare career volunteering at an animal sanctuary where the mission was to rescue animals specifically used in laboratories. There, they learned to care for 17+ species of animals, revised and ran the organization's volunteer program, and participated in several large fundraisers. They found both the animals and the non-profit world extremely engaging, and spent a year with the sanctuary before being hired at a small municipal shelter in Norco, California. They worked there as a part-time kennel aide while still in community college.
After transferring to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and moving to San Diego, California, they were hired as an Adoption Counselor at San Diego Humane Society's (SDHS) San Diego Campus. In this position they honed their customer service skills, learned about animal welfare, and the roles of the animal sheltering systems within our communities. They held the role of Humane Safety Trainer (HST) from 2020 to 2025 and received the opportunity to learn and teach about development and behavior in cats and dogs. This course specialized in supporting animals in a shelter environment and giving staff the skills to safely work with this population. During this time Alyson also gained experience volunteering in the veterinary medical department and with Project Wildlife.
Alyson’s time in the adoptions department and as an HST led them to discover their interest and passion in animal behavior and behavior modification. Following this passion, they became an Animal Trainer at SDHS's Escondido Campus. They focused on building their training mechanics and timing, knowledge of canine and feline ethology, interpersonal skills, and the work-life balance that is necessary to thrive in a highly emotionally and physically taxing non-profit animal welfare environment. While finishing their undergraduate studies, they also took the CCPDT examination and became a certified knowledge assessed dog trainer (CPDT-KA). Alyson then graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor’s of Science in General Biology.
From 2022-2025, Alyson was an Animal Services Supervisor at SDHS. In this position, Alyson worked with a wide array of species, caring for and handling them, and supporting animal care and admissions staff through their job duties. Alyson specialized in shelter behavior, behavioral assessments and decision making, and defensive animal handling/restraint. They left sheltering to seek a more well rounded experience and with a drive to help owned animals and the people who love them. Alyson now works as a trainer at Alcala Country Pet Resort, and separately offers private dog or cat training and consulting in person and virtually. All species other than domestic dogs and cats might be considered on a case by case basis.
Outside of work, Alyson is currently pursuing a masters degree in anthrozoology, likes to ride horses, plays Dungeons and Dragons, and listens to audiobooks.
