AmaZEN Canines | Meet Rebecca

The Ensō and All Things Family Dog Mediation

(L.E.G.S.® & Total Welfare)

THE ENSŌ

The story behind my logo.

When I first had my logo created, I only thought to myself that I wanted something relating to the concept of Zen (meditation and mindfulness) to portray a training philosophy that focused on simplicity, tranquility, and harmony. My friend created the logo for me, and I absolutely loved how it looked. Over time, though, as my understanding and commitment to dogs has grown, I have come to an extraordinary appreciation of how unexpectedly meaningful my logo is to what I do and to my entire approach to dogs and life.

The Ensō (Japanese Zen circle) is a profound symbol in Japanese culture and can be open or closed. A closed Ensō represents perfection or wholeness, while the open Ensō represents imperfection, impermanence, growth, development, enlightenment, harmony, and connection to the universe (meaning we are part of a larger, connected whole). It’s intentionally imperfect, tied to the idea of wabi-sabi which, when translated, means a worldview that imperfection is a beautiful part of life and that things are not meant to be fixed, forced, or changed but accepted.

Painted in a single, uninterrupted brushstroke, each Ensō Circle is unique. No two Ensō Circles are ever the same.

The Ensō in my logo is an open circle, enveloping the silhouette of a beautiful dog. I had no idea at the time it was created just how significant that representation would come to be! My logo and its significance means so much to me and deeply reflects and influences how I work with dogs and their guardians.

All of us, working together. Accepting that we are each imperfect and growing in our own ways and growing together. Committing to a common goal of living harmoniously and living well together.

FAMILY DOG MEDIATION

(L.E.G.S.® and TOTAL WELFARE)

My most impactful certifications.

Together with the philosophy of the Ensō, my certification in Family Dog Mediation (L.E.G.S.® and Total Welfare) and Behavioral Diversity and Welfare, underpin all of the unique and meaningful support I offer to the human-canine relationship.

As a Certified Family Dog Mediator® (FDM®), I am educated in applied ethology (the science of animal behavior) and specialize in helping guardians navigate natural dog behavior within a human family environment through the lens of a dog's L.E.G.S.®. L.E.G.S.® represents the four fundamental connected pillars that define a dog's nature and behavior: the dog's LEARNING history, their ENVIRONMENT, their GENETICS, and their SELF. L.E.G.S.® is a holistic approach to truly seeing the dog and then having the foundation for meeting the breadth of that dogs' needs through the Total Welfare Model. As a Certified Family Dog Mediator® Behavioral Diversity and Welfare Analyst (FDM-BDWA), I help families enhance the mental well-being of their canine companion through an assessment of their dog's Total Welfare and behavioral diversity to reduce problem behaviors and bring out the best in their dogs. The Total Welfare Model incorporates the Five Domains - Nutrition, Physical Environment, Health and Fitness, Behavioral Interactions, and Mental State (overall mental wellness).

Now that is exciting stuff, right?

SOME CONTEXT ABOUT WELFARE

We are the next chapter in the continued evolution of welfare.

In the 1960s, the Five Freedoms Model of Animal Welfare was developed to ensure that the basic needs of captive animals (pets and livestock) were met and that negative experiences were minimized (that suffering was prevented). This model (freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury or disease; freedom to express normal behavior; and freedom from fear and distress) is internationally recognized and was the standard for many years. The Five Freedoms, thankfully, evolved.

In the 1990s, the ‘Three Circles’ Model and the Five Domains Model of Animal Welfare were developed. The Five Domains model goes beyond the Five Freedoms with an important focus on the mental state of an animal and how the other Four Domains - Nutrition,  Physical Environment, Health and Behavioral Interactions (with the environment, other nonhuman animals, or humans) - flow into the Fifth Domain, positively or negatively affecting the Mental State. Over the years, though, when it comes to dogs, it seems like they have been forgotten when it comes to welfare.

The TRUTH: Our dogs are captive animals.

Yes, our beloved dogs are living in captivity. Which makes improving their welfare an immediate and important priority.

We can't ask our dogs to be collaborative family members if they are struggling with their mental health or their physical well-being. We have to move away from just seeking to control them and move toward wanting to connect with them. This shift in mindset alone will open the path to improved welfare and change the way you forever see dogs.

We are the next chapter in the continued evolution of welfare.

SOME CONTEXT ABOUT ME

I am committed to always doing better for dogs and the people that love them.

I will always be looking for ways to better understand dogs and how to support them, which in turn helps me support their guardians. 

In addition to being a Family Dog Mediator®, I am also a Certified Separation Anxiety Professional Behavior Consultant (CSAP-BC) and a Kids Around Dogs® Approved Professional (KAD®-AP). I have completed a certificate program in Applied Animal Behavior through the University of Washington.

I am in the process of becoming a Licensed Family Paws Parent Educator (Dogs & Storks® and Dogs & Toddlers®) t0 supplement Kids Around Dogs® so that I can fully support dogs and guardians in family settings from pre-baby onward. 

I am broadening the depth at which I can support dogs with Separation-Related Behaviors (SRBs) through the SAfe Pro approach (Support, Awareness, Facilitation and Exploration, a framework that focuses less on linear protocols and rigid-feeling desensitization and more on trauma-informed and compassionate support) to supplement my CSAP-BC, because SRBs are severely distressing for dogs and their guardians, and this enhanced approach will be game-changing. 

At the core of AmaZEN Canines' philosophy and methodology for any

support provided is the open Ensō, the L.E.G.S.® framework, and the Total Welfare Model.

They define the very essence of how we should live our lives with dogs.

Wyatt, the Dog that Changed My Life

Although Wyatt is no longer physically with me,

he is always present.

I’ve always loved dogs, and my path into working with them started in a really personal and unexpected way.

I was actually a client first, looking for help with a dog I had adopted, Wyatt. And Wyatt went on to teach me so much about the emotional lives of dogs. Wyatt saw the world as unpredictable and dangerous, and he was very anxious. It took years of creating and maintaining consistency and safety for him to relax. He was also very underweight when he came to me, and I could tell he loved being cared for and not worrying about his next meal or where he was going to sleep. At the time he had been picked up by animal control, he had an old significant injury that had healed without medical intervention. After I adopted him, he had to have a Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) to restore mobility and use of his hind end. I miss him so much ... he loved to cuddle.

Wyatt's appearance in my life would change everything. What started out as getting support for him turned into something much bigger. I never left. In 2017, I began working as a trainer with the company that helped me with Wyatt, and I’ve been working with dogs and their people ever since.

My Family Dog Mediation certification has had the biggest impact on me, completely validating how I had organically come to approach my work. It takes a holistic view of the individual dog through its L.E.G.S. and that dog's welfare. The philosophy of the Ensō and my Family Dog Mediation education align completely with how I see dogs, how I see their guardians (yes, humans have their own L.E.G.S. framework!), and how I move forward in helping everyone and every dog that I work with. It is also foundational in my specialty areas (expectant families, kids and dogs, and separation-related behaviors). 

I also understand how hard it can be to give dogs everything they need. Life is busy. We’re juggling work, family, stress, and major life changes, and sometimes our dogs end up coming up short. I’ve been there myself, and it’s something I think about often. My personal experience together with my professional experience, education, and philosophy toward dogs make me a humble, fierce and creative advocate when it comes to helping a guardian improve the life of their dog.

My goal is to help make things feel more doable. I focus on helping one family at a time make small, meaningful changes for their dog. Even one small shift each week can make a real difference in mental well-being, not just for your dog, but for you, too. And what you may take away from our training journey together I am confident you will carry forward, helping the dogs who come after.

Together, we will make a difference for dogs in our world.

I feel incredibly grateful to do this work. Helping dogs and their people live better lives together means everything to me. 

AmaZEN Canines' Mission

AmaZEN Canines exists to change how people see and live with dogs. Through the lens of the Ensō and the Total Welfare Model, I help famiilies move beyond obedience and quick fixes to build truly aligned, cooperative relationships. My work focuses on the whole dog, not just behavior, so guardians and their families can meet their dog's needs in a way that is thoughtful, sustainable, species-appropriate, and deeply respectful of who their dog is.

AmaZEN Canines' Values

Understanding Before Judgment

Every behavior has meaning. AmaZEN Canines seeks to understand the "why" behind behavior before attempting to change it, approaching dogs with curiosity, compassion, and respect.

Whole-Dog Welfare

Behavior does not exist in isolation. AmaZEN Canines considers the physical, emotional, social, environmental, and cognitive needs of each dog, recognizing that true well-being is the foundation of lasting change.

Partnership Over Control

AmaZEN Canines believes meaningful relationships are built through trust, communication, and cooperation, not dominance, force, or compliance. Our goal is to help dogs and humans learn to thrive together.

Progress Over Perfection

Like the Ensō, life is beautifully imperfect. AmaZEN Canines embraces growth, adaptation, and small steps forward, recognizing that both dogs and people are constantly learning.

Respect for Individuality

Every dog is a unique individual with their own temperament, needs, preferences, and life experiences. AmaZEN Canines honors who dogs are rather than focusing solely on who we want them to become.

Compassionate Guidance

Supportive relationships flourish when guidance is clear, kind, and thoughtful. AmaZEN Canines helps families navigate challenges with empathy, patience, and practical solutions.

Empowerment Through Education

Knowledge creates confidence. AmaZEN Canines equips families with the understanding and skills needed to make informed decisions and build sustainable, lifelong relationships with their dogs.

Harmony Through Balance

True harmony comes from balancing guidance with independence, structure with freedom, and the needs of dogs with the realities of everyday life.

Species-Appropriate Living

Dogs deserve opportunities to engage in natural, fulfilling behaviors. AmaZEN Canines advocates for lifestyles that honor dogs as dogs, not simply as companions expected to fit seamlessly into human expectations.

Lifelong Learning

Relationships evolve over time. AmaZEN Canines embraces curiosity, continued growth, and the understanding that there is always more to learn about ourselves, our dogs, and the lives we share.