What inspired you to pursue dog training, especially in the service dog world?
I’m a dog trainer and behaviorist, and I co-own The Dog Behavior Institute with Ran Courant-Morgan. We focus on helping dogs with behavior issues, especially aggression, but my passion for continuing education and technical work with dogs led me to explore the service dog world. I learned about Atlas at Clicker Expo. I was immediately drawn to how closely their values align with mine—making services accessible, emphasizing positive training, and promoting ethical, inclusive support for both people and dogs.
How did you discover Atlas Assistance Dogs, and what did your journey with them look like?
I started with Atlas as a Team Facilitator in fall 2023. I was excited to connect with people and contribute to a mission I deeply believe in. Just before starting the live workshops, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, something that reshaped how I saw myself and my role in the disability community. It was jarring but also grounding. Being part of such a supportive community made a huge difference during that transition.
Since then, I’ve enrolled in the Trainer Academy, which I started in September 2024. I’m still working through it and am consistently impressed by how comprehensive the program is, especially the emphasis on mental health, assessing a dog’s suitability, and fitness, which is often overlooked. I’m excited to learn something new whenever I open a training module.
How does your background in behavior influence your approach to service dog training?
Most of my past work has focused on behavior issues, so service dog training has been a shift. There’s much more emphasis on precision, which I really appreciate. I’m excited to develop those skills, especially in a way that keeps the process joyful for both the client and the dog. The training experience should always be positive, respectful, and collaborative.
What does being part of a program that promotes access and empowerment mean to you?
I’ve had nothing but positive, supportive interactions with everyone at Atlas. When I ask a question, people take the time to understand the context and answer thoughtfully. As someone who lives with a disability, that support means a lot. I’m drawn to organizations that reflect my values, and Atlas absolutely does.
I’m especially impressed by how comprehensive the Trainer Academy is. It doesn’t just teach dog training—it teaches how to support people. The program treats the handler-dog team as a whole, from the mental health modules to the quality of life for dogs. That’s what makes Atlas so special.
What are you most excited about in your work with Atlas and beyond?
I’m excited to dive in more consistently and finish the Trainer Academy by this fall. I’m thinking about how to integrate service dog work into my existing business, especially for clients whose dogs may not yet meet the Atlas criteria or who need ongoing support. I also want to spread the word about Atlas in central Massachusetts—an area with need but less access than bigger metro regions.
Personally, I’ve had to learn to slow down and be more intentional about what I take on. That shift has given me space to grow and focus on the work that truly matters to me.
What do you hope people take away from your story?
I hope it comes across just how much I love Atlas and how grateful I am to be part of this community. The team is incredibly welcoming and supportive, with many opportunities to get involved. If you care about accessibility, ethical training, and empowering people with disabilities, I can’t recommend Atlas highly enough.
About Stephanie Keesey-Phelan
Stephanie Keesey-Phelan is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst. Dog training and the science of behavior are her passions. That’s why she and her colleague, Ran Courant-Morgan, founded The Dog Behavior Institute. They are dedicated to one mission: making life better for dogs and their people.
About Atlas Assistance Dogs
Atlas Assistance Dogs is a non-profit organization that fundamentally expands access to assistance dogs. We support people with disabilities to train and certify their own service dog using positive, ethical training methods. At Atlas, we believe anyone who would benefit from a qualified assistance dog should be able to have one.
We work with people with a wide range of disabilities who wish to train their own service dog as well as offer a comprehensive Academy for professional trainers wanting to become service dog trainers. For more information about Atlas’ Client Certification program or other training services, please visit www.atlasdog.org or contact info@atlasdog.org.
