Alyssa
General Manager
Alyssa is our General Manager and has been an integral part of UCA for the past decade. Alyssa always strives to make sure that both dogs and clients at UCA are given the highest quality of care and service. She works closely with our Training and Daycare teams to ensure a safe, enriching environment for all.
Having been brought up in an environment where business management and ownership roles were often held, It naturally was not long before her immense care for dogs and her position at UCA turned from the art of training itself into taking on an administrative role.
Alyssa has a well-rounded and extensive education, including studying with the Animal Behavior College, Leerburg Dog Training University, and is a graduate of Penn Foster’s Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor program, as well as their Small Business Management and HR Management Essentials certification programs. She is a member of the IACP, has her IACP PCKA (prong collar knowledge assessment certification), and is double certified in Canine First Aid and CPR.
Aside from her experience with canines both before and during her years with UCA, Alyssa found her greatest passion for working with dogs in her best friend: her Doberman, Delta who came into her life when she was 19. By participating in various AKC sports and gaining titles in FastCAT, CGCA-U, Trick Dog, dabbling in bite sports and more, Delta taught her much of what she knows in regards to living with and handling working breeds, and the intense and loving bond with dogs that you can build through clear communication and mutual trust. Delta also allowed Alyssa to learn a myriad of information regarding veterinary procedures and practices, canine illnesses and medications, in-depth medical care for a variety of issues, and safety protocols through his 3 year long medical journey battling both B-Cell Lymphoma and DCM. Even posthumously, he has made the biggest impact on her life (and love for the breed!)
Outside of UCA, You can find Alyssa working on her culinary skills, studying at home, or going out and about with her Husband, Dillon, and their 5-year old GSD, Nova!
“I have held many roles at UCA over the years and have cherished the experience from each and every one of them. Watching our team, our clients, and the dogs in our care grow and blossom into the best caretakers, handlers, and dogs that I know they can be brings an incomparable feeling of happiness and gratitude. The best part of any day at UCA is watching progress in the day-to-day; Knowing that we can help dogs become happier and healthier and build better relationships and understanding between them and their owners is a feeling I wouldn’t trade for the world.”
Zach
Head Trainer
Zach is our Head Trainer. He received his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a concentration in canines from SUNY Cobleskill in 2018. During his time at Cobleskill, Zach worked under the late NAPWDA (North American Police Working Dog Association) Master Trainer, Doctor Stephen Mackenzie. Zach credits ‘Doc” as his original mentor and the person who helped him become the trainer he is today. During this time, Zach found his passion in understanding behavior and, more importantly, his true love for dogs!
After his time at Cobleskill, he went on to South Carolina to work at a full-service training facility for a 600-hour internship to complete his degree. During this time, he continued to explore and expand his knowledge and his understanding of canine behavior and physiology. He also spent time working with all types of dogs, including police, personal protection, search and rescue, scent detection, service dogs, and of course, pet dogs! He also became more versed in teaching basic obedience and behavior modification.
Once he completed his internship, Zach came back home, being a native of upstate New York, and began his career at Upstate Canine Academy, starting with puppies and moving up to dealing with all forms of behavior issues, aggression, and off-leash training. More recently, he completed the “Proper Use of the Electronic Collar” offered by The Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers in California. Zach is also a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Zach strives to teach dogs and their owners all the skills they need to be successful and, more importantly, to enjoy the best life they can!
Outside of training, Zach spends most of his time with his family, friends, and his German Shepherd, Zora, or enjoying his newest passion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Marigrace
Board & Train Trainer
Marigrace is one of our Associate Trainers and works with both Private Training clients and dogs enrolled in our Board & Train programs. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from SUNY Albany and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Animal Science and Behavior. Having worked with animals since she was 16 and grown up surrounded by dogs, animals have always been a big part of her life.
Her path into professional dog training, however, really began with her first dog as an adult. After bringing her home, Marigrace quickly found herself navigating a number of behavioral challenges that were beyond what she knew how to handle on her own. She sought out the help of a professional trainer, and through the process of learning how to better understand and communicate with her own dog, she fell in love with training and behavior.
From there, Marigrace traveled to California to intern at a training facility, where she gained hands-on experience in canine psychology, behavior modification, and pet dog training. After completing her internship, she returned to New York and continued working in training and daycare environments before joining UCA. Marigrace is a member of the IACP, an AKC Evaluator, and has earned her Cat and Dog First Aid Certification through the American Red Cross, as well as her Prong Collar Assessment Certificate through the IACP.
As a trainer, Marigrace’s goal is to help owners better understand their dogs and build strong, lasting relationships through clear communication and practical training. Having experienced firsthand what it feels like to struggle with a dog’s behavior, she understands how overwhelming it can be and enjoys helping owners develop the skills and confidence to enjoy life with their dogs again.
Outside of work, Marigrace enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, and exploring new places, usually with her two dogs along for the adventure. Gritta, her working-line German Shepherd, and Leo, her Southern rescue Husky, are a huge part of her life, and she loves finding ways to include them in everything from hikes and camping trips to everyday adventures. For Marigrace, one of the best parts of having well-trained dogs is the freedom to experience more of life together, something she hopes to help her clients achieve with their own dogs as well.
Kassandre
Associate Trainer
Kassie is one of our Associate Trainers at UCA who works with private training clients and our board & train dogs. Kassie has loved animals for her whole life, and knew she wanted to pursue training when she was working for a doggy daycare in Ithaca, NY. At this facility she learned about body language, canine interaction, handling, and so much more. Kassie worked for a behavior modification facility in Binghamton, NY before transferring to the team at Upstate Canine. She has worked with hundreds of clients and their dogs ranging from true aggression all the way to fearful puppies. Kassie is also an AKC Evaluator and a “Love on a Leash” Therapy Dog evaluator.
Kassie’s passion lies in teaching clients how to lay the groundwork for successful training relationships between themselves and their dogs. By prioritizing handler education, Kassie empowers clients to make informed decisions about training and build lasting connections with their dogs. Her dedication to growth ensures she stays at the forefront of the ever-evolving training field. She continually pursues professional development and is currently focusing on her Service Dog certification.
Outside of work, you can find Kassie with her 3 dogs: Ruby, an American pitbull terrier mix, Lok,i a Carolina Dog mix, and Tango, a pit mix. She enjoys dog sports like canine frisbee, dock diving, and trick training. In her free time, she likes to read, hike, and spend quality time with her family.
Allison
Board & Train Trainer
Allison is one of our board and train trainers and she works with dogs in our board and train programs. Allison has grown up surrounded by animals her whole life and enjoyed spending time on her neighbors farm as well as volunteering at animal shelters with her sister. She realized she had a passion for training dogs while working as a manager at a dog daycare where she learned a lot about body language, handling and dog interactions. Allison’s passion stems from seeing how a proper outlet can transform a dog’s life and strengthen the relationship with their owner.
Outside of work you can find her spending time outdoors with friends and family, crafting or listening to music!
Elli
Dog Daycare Manager
Elli is the manager of Upstate Canine Academy’s Daycare facility, and has been a part of the team since February 2022. They earned their BFA in Graphic Design at the College of Saint Rose, along with minors in both Photography and Art Therapy. They have received their Cat and Dog First Aid Certification from the American Red Cross.
Elli has owned animals their entire life, including dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and various other critters; they have loved animals from a young age. Elli’s favorite jobs of many were dog walking and volunteer shelter/boarding work, and being a part of UCA has allowed Elli to discover more every day about dog behavior and different breeds.
Outside of work, you can find Elli in their home with their fiance and pets — a flock of birds, a little snail, a crested gecko, a Siamese kitten, and Elli’s best friend: their deaf pit mix, Echo. They love to read, write, draw, and play any kind of game in their spare time. They also dabble in freelance design, writing, photography, and dog walking for their family and friends.
“My favorite thing about working at UCA is the diversity in the dogs I am able to meet and interact with. It’s fascinating watching them form bonds with one another and the individual staff members. They all have their own very distinct personalities, and when they’re all here together it’s like watching this awesome Pack just co-existing. The best part is being a member of that Pack.”