Alyssa
General Manager
Alyssa is our General Manager and has been part of UCA for nearly a decade. Alyssa always makes sure that both dogs and clients at UCA are given the highest quality of care.
Alyssa works closely with our Training and Daycare teams to ensure a safe, enriching environment for all of the dogs in our care!
She has taken courses through 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 also double certified in Canine First Aid and CPR.
Alyssa has two dogs of her own. A 6-year old Doberman, Delta, and a 4-year old GSD, Nova! Outside of UCA, you can find Alyssa either at home with her fiance, Dillon, or with her pups competing in various obedience and sports venues, such as FastCAT!
“My position at UCA has allowed me so many amazing opportunities over the years to learn and work with wonderful people and canines alike. To me, the best part of any day is seeing a dog’s progress. Knowing that we can help dogs become happier and healthier, and help build better relationships between dogs and their owners, is an all-around great feeling. I wouldn’t trade it 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
Associate 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.
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.”