About Us
Our Team
There are no laws to regulate who can call themselves a dog trainer. However, there are professional organizations with strict standards and current education based on the latest science of dog behaviors that with study and applied knowledge, people can attain credentials. Our instructors are in the latter category. We have earned our credentials through the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the American Kennel Club and more (see our Resources page). Just like you wouldn’t want someone to operate on you because “they had that operation once before,” you would probably rather have a licensed professional who has performed that procedure multiple times. Working with a credentialed dog trainer brings that voice of expertise into your situation with your dog.
Let’s meet our team.
Mary Green - Instructor/Trainer
Mary Green has been training and competing with her dogs for over 30 years. She and her dogs have earned advanced titles in obedience, rally, conformation, agility, scent work, and dock diving. She is a guest expert on The News on 6 (KOTV) noon news and writes for Tulsa Pets Magazine. Mary also serves as a volunteer on the board of directors for the Tulsa SPCA.
Credentials and professional affiliations:
- CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed) Certification Council for Dog Trainers
- CDBC (Certified Dog Behavioral Counselor) International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
- AKC ACT Judge
- NADD (North America Diving Dogs) judge
- Professional Member, APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers)
Kim Sykes - Instructor/Trainer
Kim Sykes became a dog trainer largely because she owned a dog and human aggressive border collie. Kim and her border collies compete in obedience, conformation, rally, herding, agility, scent work and dock diving. In addition to being a preservationist breeder, Kim has rescued and fostered many dogs. Since becoming a certified fitness trainer, Kim designs personalized fitness plans for the active and not-so active dogs in our programs.
Credentials and professional affiliations
- CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed) Certification Council for Dog Trainers
- CPCFT – Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer
- AKC Breeder of Merit (border collies) under the Bordertown kennel name
- Professional Member, Association of Professional Dog Trainers
- AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Fetch, and AKC Trick Dog evaluator
- AKC Farm Dog Judge
- AKC ACT Judge
- CPCFT AKC Level 3 Fit Dog Instructor
- NADD (North America Diving Dogs) judge
- DMWYD CTDI (Do More With Your Dog Certified Trick Dog Instructor)
Mary Buck - Instructor/Trainer
Mary Buck (also known as Buck) is a retired special education teacher, whose second career is dog trainer. Mary trains and competes with her dogs in obedience, rally, agility and scent work. Mary is a Family Paws Parent Educator providing support and resources for families with dogs.
Credentials and professional affiliations
- CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed) Certification Council for Dog Trainers
- Professional Member, Association of Professional Dog Trainers
- FPPE Family Paws Parent Educator (Family Paws Education)TM
- AKC Canine Good Citizen, and Trick Dog evaluator
- NADD (North America Diving Dogs) judge
Cathi Morris - Instructor/Trainer
Cathi trains and competes with her dog, Marli, in Agility, Rally, and Dock Diving. Cathi is an AKC Canine Good Citizens Evaluator. Cathi is a retired school teacher who now enjoys teaching pet owners how to better enjoy their pets!. Cathi handles much of the daily administrative tasks for K9 Manners.
Credentials and professional affiliations
- AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
- Professional Member, Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Drew Latta - Instructor/Trainer
Drew brings a great positive energy to his students and the team. He enjoys training his pups, Mac and Cheese (both are rescues) for cooperative care and handling as well as dog sports.
Credentials and professional affiliations
- CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed) Certification Council for Dog Trainers
- AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, AKC Fetch Evaluator
- AKC Fetch Program Evaluator
- Professional Member, Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Debby Stone - Instructor/Trainer
Deb shares her passion for agility training with her students. She has owned and loved a variety of dogs in her life and spends her time with her border collies, Darwin and Sheena.
Credentials and professional affiliations
- CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed) Certification Council for Dog Trainers
- AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
- AKC Fetch Program Evaluator
- Professional Member, Association of Professional Dog Trainers
