Meet The Team
Every member of our team at The Dog Wizard Atlanta, GA is extensively trained and comes to you with the knowledge, technique, and passion for what they do that enables them to understand the best and proven methods for training your dog. and experienced in a broad base of training techniques and behavior issues, which allows us to capably address a wide range of training needs. We see each dog as a unique case and work closely with the owners to create a training plan that satisfies each dog’s needs and helps the owners reach their individual goals. We also believe that the success of every dog is linked to the owner’s ability to work effectively with their dog. We specialize in transferring all of our skills to each member of the family as needed, and uphold our commitment to the success of your dog through our lifetime training guarantee.
Justin Hall
Owner/ Operator
Justin Hall
Justin is a native ATLien and his admiration of all things canine has led him to work with dogs nearly his entire life. During his time attending Georgia State University (Go Panthers!) he helped open and managed an Atlanta area dog daycare and training facility. Through 4 years of managing the facility, Justin’s interest in caring for dogs grew as he observed them interact in a large group setting daily. There are no better teachers of dog communication than the dogs themselves. As Justin’s knowledge and ability to communicate with dogs grew, family and friends (and friends of friends) began asking for advice about their dogs. After Justin graduated, he continued helping people with their dogs as a hobby while he worked his 9 to 5 job in downtown Atlanta. Something was missing though, and Justin made a very tough decision to quit his stable job and pursue a full-time career in dog training. Soon afterwards, he attended the Dog Wizard Academy, where his knowledge and experience with dogs grew exponentially. 10 years later, he has trained and helped over a thousand dogs and their families in the Metro Atlanta area. Justin’s passion for improving the relationships between dogs and their owners drives and rewards him every day.
Training Badge Certificates
Kat Karlish
Head Trainer
Kat Karlish
Kat has always loved dogs and cats as pets, but she didn’t consider working with them professionally until 2007 when she realized how miserable she was working in a corporate office as an accountant and how incredibly jealous she was of the people who worked at the dog daycare where her dog Eugene attended. Kat left her accounting career and started her own pet sitting business within months of that realization. With over 7 years working as a Professional Pet Sitter, Kat had a number of clients whose dogs were fearful and/or aggressive. Some of these dogs were quite dangerous and wanted to bite any stranger who came near. She loved these dogs just like her own and saw what great and loving pets they could be, but didn’t know how to help them get over their fears. Soon she was led to her career dog training.
Kat graduated from the Master Trainer course at the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers, earning all twelve endorsements that are offered and continues her education since then by attending conferences and seminars given by world renowned trainers. She loves what she does now and you will know that the moment you meet her! Kat Karlish “There is no better feeling than when a dog owner tells me how much happier and relaxed their dog is with training”
Training Badge Certificates
Anthony Todaro
Trainer
Anthony Todaro
Anthony is an amazing addition to the Atlanta Dog Wizard team and is quickly making a name for himself on the team! More importantly, making strong bonds with clients and their pups. Being a strong believer in the transformative power of raising and caring for dogs, Anthony takes the connection that we form with our furry friends very seriously. Whether it is working with local dog shelters or running his own dog walking business, Anthony was no stranger to working with canines before he began his path to the Dog Wizard family. Like many trainers, his path began when he became the owner of a dog (his beautiful pup, Becky) that presented needs and challenges that only a skilled trainer was fit to handle. This peaked his interest in becoming a trainer and set the course for him to meet Justin and the rest of the team. Though becoming a trainer has significantly shifted his focus from performing stand up comedy, which he did for over a decade, you might still catch him at a local comedy show from time to time. Just don’t ask him to tell you a joke!
Training Badge Certificates
Phil Holloway
Trainer
Phil Holloway
Over the past year Phil has been the proud owner and trainer at his own location, The Richmond Dog Wizard. While in Richmond Phil has helped many clients with their dogs and their training needs. The draw of home and family has brought Phil and his family back to their roots in Atlanta where he has the pleasure of joining the Atlanta Dog Wizard Team!
Growing up Phil had many dogs and really never found himself without a dog. After school, Phil wasn’t quite sure what career path he wants to pursue. He tried many different jobs, from landscaping to electrical, and even signing up for the Marines. Although success was happening in his different jobs, something was missing. Almost immediately, he started researching options of how to make the dream of working with dogs a reality. After investigating many different dog related careers dog training became the draw. Phil found The Dog Wizard and loved their model of proven success, philosophy and balance training to help dogs and their owners strengthen relationships in such a positive way. And so an awesome career as a dog trainer began and the rest is history!
Phil shares his home with his wife Amy, dog Rhea, and two cats Hercules and Athena. When Phil is not training and hanging out with dogs, you can find him behind the controller of a video game or seeking out the best restaurants in Atlanta!
Training Badge Certificates
Robin Charlton
Trainer
Robin Charlton
Robin Charlton is originally from Alberta Canada and her Canadian sensibilities have yet to be diminished even though she has lived in the states for the last 18 years.
A dog named Winston was all the motivation Robin needed to become a Dog Trainer. Winston was highly dog reactive and struggled being in any public setting. After a failed training program, Robin decided to take matters into her own hands and applied to become a Dog Trainer with the Dog Wizard family. Winston quickly learned to become a well balanced dog with the training Robin received. Winston now lives a happy life without limitations.
When Robin decided to tune her passion for dogs and make it into a career she knew she had made the right choice. With close to a decade of owning her own tattoo company in the Caribbean, she has serviced international clients, breaking through language barriers and developing strong interpersonal skills. She has a strong appreciation for professionalism and providing the absolute best customer experience which translated seamlessly to dog training.
As a CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting coach she takes great pride and receives an insurmountable amount of job satisfaction in changing people’s lives for the better. As a Dog Trainer, she has found the same satisfaction that is compounded as she is changing dog lives along with their relationships with their humans.
Robin is now applying her skills to her 1 year old adopted Doberman Pinscher, Tiberius. He motivates her to expand her dog training knowledge even further.
Cameron Bearden
Trainer
Cameron Bearden
James Yates
Trainer
James Yates
James is an ATLien by way of Savannah, GA. He was searching for a career change after years of working in an office and Atlanta Dog Wizard is the exact right fit. James and his partner Rob both train dogs and hope to one day host a reality show about their adventures.
Ryan Harris
Office Manager
Ryan Harris
Amy Stift
Director of Customer Service
Amy Stift
Amy has been with the Dog Wizard Office team since December 2016! Amy has a very important role with being the first point of contact for Dog Wizard clients. She helps manage the day-to-day needs, phone calls, and appointments which she does so well. Amy has a passion for helping customers at the highest level and ensuring they feel great and know that there is hope for their dog. The best part about her job is not only getting to talk with clients about their dogs but also having her rescue mutt, Winston, hang out with her all day! When she’s not helping us in the office she can be found enjoying the outdoors with Winston. We are grateful to have her on our team!
Chloe Dabrowski
Customer Service Team
Chloe Dabrowski
Chloe Dabrowski provides customer service support as an office manager for The Dog Wizard, a position she has held since early 2018. She thoroughly enjoys being the first point of contact to all our clients and their loyal companions. Along with ensuring our clients are handled with care, she also manages the offices of our fantastic trainers – making sure they’re organized and ready for their full days of training. In her free time, you can find her hiking, camping, traveling, reading, and spending time with family and family pets.
Brittany Alligood
Customer Service Team
Brittany Alligood
Brittany graduated from college in 2018 with a B.A. in English, specializing in communications and professional writing.
She has been with The Dog Wizard for six months working with the Office Management team dealing directly with the customers and trainers and assisting with their everyday scheduling and other needs. In addition to working with the Office Management team, she works as an accounting assistant for The Dog Wizard, DockDogs, Dueling Dogs, and Magic of Lights.