Kym Iffert began her work with dogs and cats after adopting a dog from a rural Indiana shelter that, unknowingly, required extensive physical and behavioral rehabilitation.  In 2005, Kym received her initial training certification from Animal Behavior College and started working with a Chicago-based animal shelter as a volunteer as well as running a variety of training classes and family outreach programs. She eventually became the Director of Shelter Operations.

With the ultimate goal of helping people help the animals in their care, Kym continues to pursue education, create awareness and offer support for families and animal caregivers by providing accessible, manageable, and equitable behavior training.  

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She is a certified trainer through the Certification Council of Pet Dog Trainers, Fear Free Training Professionals, Sophia Yin’s Low Stress Handling University and as a Humane Educator through the Association of Animal Welfare Administrators. Kym has completed specialized, ongoing coursework as a Family Paws Parent Educator, is a founding member of Family Dog Mediation, (with licensures in Training, Kids and Shelter divisions), completed Michael Shikasio’s Aggressive Dog Training Master Course and is continuing coursework through the IAABC with a focus on animal behavior consulting. 

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Kym is the mother of three grown daughters and currently lives with her husband and two rescue dogs, Stanley and Betty Smolz, in Nashville, TN