Howdy! I’m Cheyenne!

I'm a dog trainer based in Ithaca, NY, and a Central New York local through and through.

When I'm not working with dogs, you'll probably find me drinking a latte, helping out on my family's farm, spending time with my own pack, or climbing one of the High Peaks in the Adirondacks.

—

From service dog handler,

to trainer

—

8 years ago…

A black Labrador Retriever with a leash in its mouth, looking at the camera, outdoors on a sandy surface.

To give you some back story, I got my start with animals at a young age. I grew up around cattle, horses and my family's pets, learning to value animal body language early on.

I was 16 years old when I received my first service dog, Koda, who changed my entire life. I was able to gain my independence back, receive my Bachelors of Animal Science from Cornell University and pursue a career that I’m passionate about. All because a 60 pound, black lab walked into my life.

Koda has taught me so many valuable lessons, but this one remains the most important to me:

Dog training should be intentional and engaging, blending play with clear and realistic goals.

That belief is at the heart of High Peaks Canine Services.

Fast forward to today…

These days, Koda isn't the only dog in my life!

My pack has grown to include Ransom, my Newfoundland; Draco, my working-line German Shepherd; and Stetson, my multipurpose service dog in training.

Each of my dogs has taught me something different about training, communication, and meeting dogs where they are.

And they're a constant reminder that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to working with dogs.

Our Mission

⋆

Our Mission ⋆

At High Peaks Canine, our mission is to empower dog owners to confidently include their dogs in life's everyday adventures.

Through balanced training, clear communication, and fulfillment of each dog's natural needs, we focus on building calm, confident dogs and stronger relationships between dogs and their people.

Because training isn't just about obedience. It's about creating the freedom to experience more of life together.

⋆Quick Facts ⋆

  • I've been professionally training dogs for over 4 years now, but I've dabbled in dog training for 8 years.

  • I have a Bachelors in Animal Science from Cornell University where I worked with many different animals in the veterinary field, local barns and wildlife centers.

  • Yes! I can administer Canine Good Citizen (CGC) tests!

  • I train all breeds, sizes, and ages! I primarily love to train reactive dogs and service dogs because it can have the biggest impact on the dog's and owner's life.

  • My biggest goal over the next year is to find a permanent home for High Peaks Canine, a property where I can continue to grow the business and better serve my clients. I'd love to create a space with dedicated indoor and outdoor training areas, room for structured day training and board & trains, group classes, and eventually breed fulfillment opportunities like hiking trails and enrichment spaces.

    I'm also incredibly excited to continue expanding our Service Dog Program. Helping people gain greater independence through a well-trained service dog has always been one of the most rewarding parts of my work. My goal is to build a program that thoughtfully matches the right dog to the right person while providing high-quality training and lifelong support for every team.

    More than anything, I want High Peaks Canine to continue being a place where owners feel supported, dogs are understood as individuals, and training creates lasting change, not just obedience.