Meet The Team
THE TEAM!
Lisa O'Brien
Owner, Trainer KPA-CTP
Lisa O'Brien is the owner of Cerberus Dog Training Services. She started down her adult career path as an artist. Over time, she became more serious about her love of animals, and entered the veterinary field. When one of her dogs developed reactivity issues at a young age, Lisa stumbled through different training methods until she found a reward-based trainer. The results from positive reinforcement behavior modification were wonderful and the experience opened her eyes to a new way to help animals. Lisa eventually left the veterinary field to pursue dog training full-time, and completed the requirements to become a certified dog trainer through the Karen Pryor Academy. She specializes in positive reinforcement, force-free techniques. Her passion for helping animals and their people live happily together culminated in Cerberus Dog Training Services.
Cerberus
Creative
Cerberus is what Lisa called her three dogs when they were all playing together, combining their mighty forces of cuteness. Cerberus, the mythical canine guardian of the underworld may sound scary, but the legendary three headed dog didn't keep people OUT of Hades. His job was to keep them in. Which also sounds scary, but if you think about how much a dog must love you to want to keep you around 24/7, it's actually pretty sweet.
Tiramisu
Public Relations
Tiramisu is the baby of the group. She came into the family as an injured and temporarily paralyzed puppy at only 8 weeks of age. Her strength and will to not only live, but MOVE and maintain the world's sweetest disposition has earned her a hardcore fan base. Physical therapy and medical intervention helped her walk, but that spirit of hers did most of the work.
Starla
Social Media
Starla is the temptress of the group. She is beautiful, but needs to be treated with respect during new meetings. She was Lisa's inspiration to get involved in animal behavior and care. She's the "nurse dog" of the house, snuggling fiercely when she knows you need a hand or feel unwell. She has also been romantically linked to the household cat, Old Riddick One Ear.
Toki
7/11/2012 - 8/7/2023
Toki was Lisa's "first born" and the house comedian. Seen here dressed as David Pumpkins, Toki shows how he made us laugh every day and had the world's biggest heart made of 24k gold. He was adopted on sight when Lisa saw his tiny baby chicken legs and giant rib cage. She fattened him up (to a healthy size) and he lived on her lap. Toki sadly succumbed to lymphoma on August 7, 2023. Our home will never be the same without him. He brought so much joy and happiness to us all- and he taught us more than we ever thought possible about love, patience, and empathy. He will live on in our hearts forever. Rest in peace, Beautiful Boy.
Riddick
Security
He's a lover AND a fighter. He has one ear, he loves to cuddle but won't hesitate to smack someone around if required. On-again-off-again romantic partner to Starla. Takes no prisoners. Loves belly rubs.
Furiosa
Property Manager
Furiosa splits her time between Lisa's house and her good friend Deb's house. Furzy has tamed all the dogs (and unbelievably, Riddick). FurzyPants sometimes prefers to spend time away from Cerberus so she can boss around her Rottweiler pal at Deb's place. She spends approximately 6 months with Cerberus and 6 months with Deb, so really we should have named her Persephone.
Professional Affiliations
Karen Pryor Academy, KPA-CTP, Certification# 78235
CATCH Canine Trainers Academy, CCDT