Woman with a red face mask and a small green bag on her waist training a large gray and white dog sitting outside by a fence.

A woman in a blue T-shirt crouching down while holding a small penguin. They are indoors, in the holding area behind the penguin exhibit at the zoo.

About the Trainer

A woman wearing a colorful scrub top holding a small rabbit in her arms indoors.

A young woman crouching in a grassy area with yellow flowers, holding a black puppy. She is wearing a blue cap backwards, a plaid shirt, and jeans. There are green trees, bushes, and tall mountains in the background.

Hi! I’m Anna Pardikes, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and the founder of Paws & Praise LLC. I help dogs—and yes, even cats—and their people build stronger relationships through trust, positive reinforcement, and effective, science-based training methods.

At Paws & Praise, I believe in training through trust, not tension. My approach focuses on creating cooperation, not conflict—building mutual understanding between pets and their people so everyone can thrive.

I’m a proud Colorado native with over 15 years of experience working in the professional animal care field. My journey has included roles at the Denver Zoo, the Denver Dumb Friends League (now known as Humane Colorado), and working with a wide variety of species & breeds in both care and training capacities. Through hands-on experience and mentorship from exceptional professionals, I earned my CPDT-KA certification from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

Like many in my field, I’ve always felt called to work with animals—but what truly sets me apart is that I love working with people just as much. I’m passionate about helping humans understand their animals better, and I take pride in fostering relationships built on communication, trust, and teamwork.

I work with both dogs and cats, and offer personalized training solutions that respect each animal’s individual personality and needs. Whether it’s addressing behavioral challenges or teaching new skills, I’m here to support the bond between you and your pet.

I know there are a lot of trainers out there, and I believe you should be picky when choosing one for your family. So, why choose me? I earned professional certification in a field that doesn’t require it—because I believe in accountability, continuing education, and being held to a higher standard. I’m also fully insured, so you can have peace of mind knowing you and your pets are in responsible, professional hands.

You deserve a trainer who is qualified, compassionate, and committed—and I strive to be exactly that.

Let’s build something great together—one paw at a time.