Who We Are
After spending time working with various trainers that used ‘old school’ methods, we knew there must be a better way. We struck out on our own to learn different techniques and gain a better understanding of canine behavior. Believing strongly that fear cannot be resolved through correction; and that dogs deserved to be treated with compassion and respect, REACH K9 was born.
Bridgette Ashmore:
Owner, Lead Instructor
Bridgette is a certified dog trainer and the founder of REACH K9. She is dedicated to building stronger, more respectful relationships between dogs and their owners by improving communication. With years of experience, her passion is for helping dogs overcome their fears and helping owners become more knowledgeable about their dogs. She has successfully worked with many different dogs and owners from many different backgrounds. Committed to force-free/pain-free/fear-free approaches, she uses modern methods backed by science to help dog owners establish a stronger connection with their dogs.
She keeps her skills up by regularly pursuing courses and seminars and puts great value on continuing education. Certifications include Holistic Canine Behavior, Rescue Dog Cognition and Rehabilitation and recently she was certified by AbsoluteDogs as a game-based Pro Dog Trainer & Dog Geek. She is also an AKC CGC & ATT Evaluator, AKC Fetch Judge, Farm Dog Judge. A UKC SPOT Evaluator, A DMWYD Evaluator for tricks, fitness & animal actors, a DMWYD Stunt Dog Judge, and most recently, a World Cynosport Rally Hall of Fame Competitor and WCRL Judge.
Carter:
Instructor, Groomer
Hello! I’m Carter, and for the past ten years, my professional life has revolved around dogs – first through training, and more recently, specializing in professional and competitive grooming. Although grooming is my current full-time profession, the unique connection forged through training holds a special place for me. I’m genuinely excited to be returning to training work, bringing my passion and experience with diverse breeds and needs back into practice. Training offers such rewarding growth for both ends of the leash, and I’m eager to facilitate that process and watch partnerships flourish.
Amy:
Instructor, Groomer
Hello! My name is Amy, I’ve been involved in dog training for about 18 years. I got my start training my heart dog, Jazzi, to be my service dog at only 16. There were a lot of ups and downs, but the journey taught me to love dog training. At 18 I ventured out to find mentorship, working with professionals and learning more about the trade. By my mid 20’s I was doing my own thing for a while, while also doing some dog grooming at the same time, getting to watch the rewarding process of applying healthy training techniques to the grooming process to help dogs thrive. I’m now taking a step back from grooming and leaning back into training a bit more as I find myself wanting to dig back into the world of training. I’m excited to step into REACH in the new year and meet all of your lovely dogs!
Julie:
A Little Bit of Everything!
Welcome the newest member of our team!
Hello! I’m Julie. I wandered into REACH K9 in mid‑2025 with our rescue GSD, who was still figuring out how to trade street smarts for home life. The team worked their magic, and somewhere along the way they reignited my love for dog sports, training, and all things canine chaos. Now I’m thrilled to be part of the pack — crunching numbers, helping behind the scenes, and cheering on every dog‑and‑human duo that walks through our doors!