Danielle Smith- Administrator

Danielle Smith is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Licensed Family Dog Mediator (LFDM-T,S), Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT), Certified Behavioral Diversity Welfare Analyst (FDM-BDWA), and Administrator for the Family Dog Mediation Education Center, with more than 20 years of experience working with dogs and the people who love them. She is certified through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and has completed Michael Shikashio's Aggression in Dogs Master Course. Danielle is passionate about applying the principles of Family Dog Mediation, L.E.G.S. and Total Welfare models to help families better understand their dogs as individuals and create lasting, welfare-focused solutions to behavioral challenges.

Danielle began her career in the animal welfare field, gaining valuable experience in sheltering and rescue work before furthering her knowledge with Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. In 2018, she and her husband relocated to Atlanta, where she spent two years managing a local rescue organization. Her extensive sheltering background continues to inform her approach to behavior, welfare, and the human-animal bond.

After leaving the sheltering world, Danielle launched her own training business before joining the team at Peach on a Leash Dog Training and Behavior Services in Atlanta, GA. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to helping both shelter dogs and family companions thrive by strengthening communication, building trust, and fostering deeper understanding between dogs and their caregivers.

In addition to her training work, Danielle serves as the Administrator for the Family Dog Mediation Education Center, where she supports students and professionals as they deepen their understanding of applied ethology, canine welfare, and Family Dog Mediation. She is particularly passionate about helping professionals integrate a welfare-centered, individualized approach into their work and enjoys fostering a collaborative learning community dedicated to improving outcomes for dogs and their families.

Danielle's greatest joy comes from watching both dogs and their humans succeed together. Whether it's helping a family better understand their dog's needs, supporting a rescue dog as they transition into a home, or mentoring professionals within the Family Dog Mediation community, she is dedicated to empowering people with the knowledge and tools they need to create meaningful, lasting change.

At home, Danielle lives with her husband and their three rescue dogs: Rover, a Dachshund mix; Cora, an English Mastiff; and Millie, a French Bulldog mix. She currently serves private training clients, shelters, and rescue organizations throughout the greater Atlanta area, including Alpharetta, Roswell, Norcross, Cumming, Dawsonville, Duluth, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, and Peachtree Corners through Peach on a Leash Dog Training and Behavior Services.