Meet the Team!
Amanda Smith
Owner & Head Trainer
Amanda has loved animals—especially dogs—since she was a kid. At 15, she got her yellow lab, Nala, who not only became her heart and soul but also inspired her to start her own business.
In 2019, Amanda left the corporate world at Petco to pursue her own dog training adventure. She’s explored various training styles, learning that what works for one dog may not work for another. Amanda has experience in balance-only training facilities, Force Free training group classes and private lessons, attended multiple behavioral seminars, and continues to expand her knowledge each year.
Her goal is to help owners and dogs build healthy, understanding relationships. Amanda guides clients through the confusion that can come from inexperienced trainers and empowers them to feel confident in their abilities.
Follow Amanda, Nala, & Nova on their adventures!
Ashley Robichaud
Behaviorist Trainer
Ashley Robichaud, sister to Amanda, is a Boston College Business School graduate. Throughout college, she pursued her passion for dogs both personally and professionally. She has learned from trainers across North America and is dedicated to helping her clients achieve their training goals while building lasting bonds with their dogs.
Ashley continues her education through annual seminars and modern training literature. When she’s not helping clients, she enjoys strengthening her bond with her own dog—a dog who wasn’t a perfect fit at first, but became the challenge that inspired her to help other owners succeed.
Juliana Miccile
After graduating from Roger Williams University with a degree in Graphic Design and Visual Arts, Juliana chose to pursue her passion for working with dogs. Her experience includes structured adventure programs and professional dog training, and she continues to expand her knowledge through hands-on experience and industry seminars.
Juliana specializes in puppy foundations, helping set puppies up for lifelong success by building confidence, establishing good habits, and creating clear communication from an early age. She is passionate about helping dogs and their owners build lasting relationships through consistency and positive experiences.
Trainer
Katrina Brusser
Katrina is passionate about helping dogs become confident, well-mannered companions through clear communication, structure, and consistency. With experience working with a variety of dogs and training needs, she focuses on building strong relationships between dogs and their owners.
Katrina specializes in private training sessions, creating personalized plans to help each dog reach their goals. She also leads our Day School program, reinforcing training skills and maintaining consistency to help our pups continue making progress. As a bilingual trainer, Katrina speaks both English and Russian, allowing her to connect with and support a wider range of families.
Trainer
Autumn Frost
Autumn has been a valued member of the Dog Adventures team for several years as a hike handler, bringing energy, care, and experience to every adventure. With a background in hiking, dog sitting, and managing group adventures, Autumn provides a safe, structured, and enjoyable experience for every dog in our pack.
Her dedication to understanding each dog’s needs and maintaining consistency on our hikes helps create the confidence, skills, and connection that make our adventures so special.
Handler
Maria David
Maria is an important part of the Dog Adventures team, helping with both our structured DayCamp program and group hikes. She brings patience, consistency, and care to every dog she works with, while helping create safe and engaging experiences for our pack. Maria also supports the team by stepping in when needed and helping keep our programs running smoothly.
As a bilingual team member who speaks both English and Spanish, Maria enjoys connecting with a variety of families. Fun fact: she shares her life with a flat-coated retriever who loves hiking and training alongside her!
Handler
PS Shoutout to Kyle Walker Photography for capturing these incredible photographs!