Marni Bellavia

Love, connection, security and happiness are sentiments we humans crave. Animals eagerly and unconditionally step up and deliver these needs wholeheartedly and without any expectations or semblance of quid pro quo. Since founding HumaneK9 Dog Training my goal has always been to develop programs that curate a genuine relationship between owner and pet based on respect, trust, support and love.My philosophy is relationship-based training, and I believe that coaching you and your dog is a journey and one that should be fun! Engagement with your dog and embracing the human-animal bond is crucial to building a sustaining, lifelong relationship with your dog. Dogs are social, thinking beings who deserve to be treated in a humane, fear-free, loving and respectful way. Marni Bellavia and two dogsIn 1998 after surviving a major health crisis, I realized I couldn't go back to my 20-year corporate career and needed to fiercely pursue my lifelong passion of working with animals. As a child, I'd take in every stray animal in need that I encountered from dogs to squirrels to snakes. That calling to help animals led me to start volunteering at the Humane Society of Broward County (HSBC). The gig eventually evolved into a full-time position where I had the opportunity to work with and train a variety of dog breeds. I developed a structured animal assisted therapy program for the nonprofit, cultivated community connections and trained more than 1000+ volunteer therapy teams. In 2006, I decided to become a contractor for the HSBC and open my own dog training business. Since then, I have guided pet parents and their companion animals through positive training methods that have further enriched their lives.With the experience, knowledge and conviction I've nurtured over the past two decades I created the Magical Canine Connections (MCC) Animal Assisted Therapy Program in honor of my beloved dog Karma. Karma was the first crisis dog onsite after the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018. I saw first-hand how impactful it was to have animals working side-by-side with First Responders during a crisis. Our Magical Canine Connections AAT Community Outreach Program has provided much needed comfort, joy and support to a wide variety of people.