Meet Our Team

Coralyn Pedota, Head Trainer, See Spot Run Kennel

Coralyn Pedota, CPDT-KA

Head Instructor

Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®)
Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
American Kennel Club

Coralyn has a passion for behavior and enjoys instructing the human and canine member of each training team. Coralyn’s approach is thoughtful and focused on minimizing stress and maximizing practicality. Whether teaching a trick or working on difficult behavior issues, they give consideration to each team’s unique situation.

Their connection with animals began with their childhood dogs, and their interest in training started with horses. While in high school, they worked and performed at the equestrian circus The Noble Horse Theatre. Coralyn started their canine career as a dog daycare manager, where they learned about the unique needs of urban dogs. After completing a dog training apprenticeship with See Spot Run owner Ruth Crisler, Coralyn interned at Logan Haus Kennels, a working dog breeder in West Virginia, where they learned about socialization for future police, military, and sport dogs, odor detection imprinting, and more. Somewhere in the middle of that, they even learned how to clicker-train chickens.

During their free time, Coralyn trains for dog sports with their Blue Heeler Mars CD RE TKP and Dutch Shepherd Cupid. Their newest dog sport of choice is IGP, though Cupid becoming injured while training also led Coralyn to pursue an education in canine conditioning and fitness. During the rare moments when they’re not focusing on dogs, Coralyn’s hobby of choice is aerial fitness – which, if you ask, Coralyn can indeed compare to many components of dog training.

Coralyn has a passion for behavior and enjoys instructing the human and canine member of each training team. Coralyn’s approach is thoughtful and focused on minimizing stress and maximizing practicality. Whether teaching a trick or working on difficult behavior issues, they give consideration to each team’s unique situation.

Their connection with animals began with their childhood dogs, and their interest in training started with horses. While in high school, they worked and performed at the equestrian circus The Noble Horse Theatre. Coralyn started their canine career as a dog daycare manager, where they learned about the unique needs of urban dogs. After completing a dog training apprenticeship with See Spot Run owner Ruth Crisler, Coralyn interned at Logan Haus Kennels, a working dog breeder in West Virginia, where they learned about socialization for future police, military, and sport dogs, odor detection imprinting, and more. Somewhere in the middle of that, they even learned how to clicker-train chickens.

During their free time, Coralyn trains for dog sports with their Blue Heeler Mars CD RE TKP and Dutch Shepherd Cupid. Their newest dog sport of choice is IGP, though Cupid becoming injured while training also led Coralyn to pursue an education in canine conditioning and fitness. During the rare moments when they’re not focusing on dogs, Coralyn’s hobby of choice is aerial fitness – which, if you ask, Coralyn can indeed compare to many components of dog training.

Taylor Wilkes, CPDT-KA

Senior Trainer

Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®)
Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
American Kennel Club

German Shepherds were a part of Taylor’s family since she was born, and Taylor hasn’t stopped loving dogs since. She began training in the show dog world as a teenager, competing in 4H and AKC conformation and obedience competitions. Her first training dog was a rescued Springer Spaniel named Tyson, who started his career terrified of people, but ended up a successful regular at the Ohio state fair. Taylor went on to work at Nor-Coast Kennels as a kennel attendant and show handler. She worked with a variety of breeds, from Smooth Fox terriers to Bernese Mountain Dogs. Around this time, she achieved a Therapy Dogs International certification with her next dog, a Field Spaniel named Beckett. After moving to Chicago, she fostered with PAWS and joined See Spot Run as a junior trainer in 2018. Taylor earned her CPDT-KA certification later that year and has been training and instructing full-time ever since.

Taylor has a soft spot for dogs who are fearful, and she continues to further her education in order to provide the best support possible for her tough behavior cases. In 2022, she completed Learning and Living with Animals, an 8 week course on behavior change interventions taught by Dr Susan Friedman, one of the industry’s leading behavior experts.

For fun, Taylor teaches tricks and sport skills to her own dogs, including collaborating on doggy freestyle dance ideas with trainer Coralyn. Her dog, Humboldt’s Ghost Dog TKN “Ghost,” is working toward AKC trick and Rally titles, and has come a long way since Taylor found her abandoned in a park in 2020. They live together with Husky/Collie mix Eden, as well as cats Took and Lilith. Taylor is also a visual artist and paints, among other things, many adorable pet portraits. You may find some of her illustrations in our official homework assignments.

German Shepherds were a part of Taylor’s family since she was born, and Taylor hasn’t stopped loving dogs since. She began training in the show dog world as a teenager, competing in 4H and AKC conformation and obedience competitions. Her first training dog was a rescued Springer Spaniel named Tyson, who started his career terrified of people, but ended up a successful regular at the Ohio state fair. Taylor went on to work at Nor-Coast Kennels as a kennel attendant and show handler. She worked with a variety of breeds, from Smooth Fox terriers to Bernese Mountain Dogs. Around this time, she achieved a Therapy Dogs International certification with her next dog, a Field Spaniel named Beckett. After moving to Chicago, she fostered with PAWS and joined See Spot Run as a junior trainer in 2018. Taylor earned her CPDT-KA certification later that year and has been training and instructing full-time ever since.

Taylor has a soft spot for dogs who are fearful, and she continues to further her education in order to provide the best support possible for her tough behavior cases. In 2022, she completed Learning and Living with Animals, an 8 week course on behavior change interventions taught by Dr Susan Friedman, one of the industry’s leading behavior experts.

For fun, Taylor teaches tricks and sport skills to her own dogs, including collaborating on doggy freestyle dance ideas with trainer Coralyn. Her dog, Humboldt’s Ghost Dog TKN “Ghost,” is working toward AKC trick and Rally titles, and has come a long way since Taylor found her abandoned in a park in 2020. They live together with Husky/Collie mix Eden, as well as cats Took and Lilith. Taylor is also a visual artist and paints, among other things, many adorable pet portraits. You may find some of her illustrations in our official homework assignments.

Matt Peters, CPDT-KA

Trainer

Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®)

Matt came to See Spot Run first as a client, working on resolving a serious behavioral issue at home with his own dog. After consulting with Ruth and being impressed with her level of knowledge and insight, he became interested in learning more about the psychology of dogs. Matt made the decision in 2020 to leave the finance industry in order to follow his newfound passion, dog training. Matt enjoys learning about the intersection of behavioral science and training technique, and he uses that knowledge to create a stronger bond between his clients and their dogs.

Matt’s Mini American Shepherd Hera is his first agility prospect, and he enjoys taking agility lessons with her and his two sons. When he’s not training dogs, you can find Matt coaching his kids’ football team or playing guitar.

Matt came to See Spot Run first as a client, working on resolving a serious behavioral issue at home with his own dog. After consulting with Ruth and being impressed with her level of knowledge and insight, he became interested in learning more about the psychology of dogs. Matt made the decision in 2020 to leave the finance industry in order to follow his newfound passion, dog training. Matt enjoys learning about the intersection of behavioral science and training technique, and he uses that knowledge to create a stronger bond between his clients and their dogs.

Matt’s Mini American Shepherd Hera is his first agility prospect, and he enjoys taking agility lessons with her and his two sons. When he’s not training dogs, you can find Matt coaching his kids’ football team or playing guitar.

Joceline Leon

Day School Principal & Hotel Manager

Jocey has been obsessed with dogs for as long as she can remember. As a child, she would catch stray dogs and attempt to hide them from her parents. Despite keeping them in the garage and sneaking away to feed and care for them, she would inevitably get caught. The moment she turned eighteen, she began volunteering at the Paws Chicago animal shelter, and she has remained in the pet care and training industry ever since. Over her nine year career, she has worked as a kennel handler, veterinary technician, and groomer. No matter where she goes, she always ends up falling in love with the “problem child” dogs that she meets along the way.

Her Husky/Shepherd mix, Drake, frequently helps with socializing new dogs at See Spot Run – both in the play yard and during training sessions. Jocey’s first dog, a Pit Bull named Tony, enjoys playing tug, cuddles, and being “The Absolute Love of Jocey’s Life.”

Jocey has been obsessed with dogs for as long as she can remember. As a child, she would catch stray dogs and attempt to hide them from her parents. Despite keeping them in the garage and sneaking away to feed and care for them, she would inevitably get caught. The moment she turned eighteen, she began volunteering at the Paws Chicago animal shelter, and she has remained in the pet care and training industry ever since. Over her nine year career, she has worked as a kennel handler, veterinary technician, and groomer. No matter where she goes, she always ends up falling in love with the “problem child” dogs that she meets along the way.

Her Husky/Shepherd mix, Drake, frequently helps with socializing new dogs at See Spot Run – both in the play yard and during training sessions. Jocey’s first dog, a Pit Bull named Tony, enjoys playing tug, cuddles, and being “The Absolute Love of Jocey’s Life.”

Gabriel Cortez

Trainer

Gabe has worked for over 4 years at dog training centers and veterinary hospitals. When he became interested in being a trainer himself, he was surrounded by handlers with biddable herding breed dogs. Gabe wanted a challenge, and intentionally chose a spitz breed because he had heard that they were hard to train. He proceeded to love and learn with his Shiba Inu Kito, who he now uses frequently as a helper dog during his lessons. When asked what is the biggest thing that Kito taught him, Gabe responded that it is consistency and respect for dogs’ boundaries.

Gabe finds witnessing each dog’s transformation during training to be the most rewarding part of his job. His favorite moments are when he sees the “lightbulb” go off when a dog figures something out. Gabe’s non-dog activity of choice is Tai Chi, which he has been doing for 19 years.

Gabe has worked for over 4 years at dog training centers and veterinary hospitals. When he became interested in being a trainer himself, he was surrounded by handlers with biddable herding breed dogs. Gabe wanted a challenge, and intentionally chose a spitz breed because he had heard that they were hard to train. He proceeded to love and learn with his Shiba Inu Kito, who he now uses frequently as a helper dog during his lessons. When asked what is the biggest thing that Kito taught him, Gabe responded that it is consistency and respect for dogs’ boundaries.

Gabe finds witnessing each dog’s transformation during training to be the most rewarding part of his job. His favorite moments are when he sees the “lightbulb” go off when a dog figures something out. Gabe’s non-dog activity of choice is Tai Chi, which he has been doing for 19 years.

Hannah Donahoe, CPDT-KA

Trainer

Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®)

Hannah is a lifelong dog lover who grew up with a German Shepherd, a Labrador Retriever, Golden Retrievers, a Basenji, and a shepherd mix. At 8 years old she started her own dog walking business for $2 per walk, and a few years later she started volunteering at the Humane Society and even went to their summer camp. She eventually went to business school and started her professional career in public accounting. When she adopted her first dog as an adult, a Newfoundland Dog named Windy, Hannah took lessons at See Spot Run to teach Windy to be polite in her busy apartment complex. Working with Windy made Hannah fall in love with dog training. She avidly read dog related books, watched training tutorials, and took classes in person in the hopes of becoming a part time trainer and competing in dog sports with Windy.

Circumstances changed, and instead of becoming a part time trainer, Hannah was inspired to leave her corporate job entirely and follow her heart.

She is excited to be at See Spot Run to continue her education on canine behavior, and she hopes to grow with her interests of dog sports, conformation, water rescue, and therapy work. Her love for the Newfoundland breed brought her to her newest puppy Ivy, who has already started to learn all about being a perfect pup.

Hannah is a lifelong dog lover who grew up with a German Shepherd, a Labrador Retriever, Golden Retrievers, a Basenji, and a shepherd mix. At 8 years old she started her own dog walking business for $2 per walk, and a few years later she started volunteering at the Humane Society and even went to their summer camp. She eventually went to business school and started her professional career in public accounting. When she adopted her first dog as an adult, a Newfoundland Dog named Windy, Hannah took lessons at See Spot Run to teach Windy to be polite in her busy apartment complex. Working with Windy made Hannah fall in love with dog training. She avidly read dog related books, watched training tutorials, and took classes in person in the hopes of becoming a part time trainer and competing in dog sports with Windy.

Circumstances changed, and instead of becoming a part time trainer, Hannah was inspired to leave her corporate job entirely and follow her heart.

She is excited to be at See Spot Run to continue her education on canine behavior, and she hopes to grow with her interests of dog sports, conformation, water rescue, and therapy work. Her love for the Newfoundland breed brought her to her newest puppy Ivy, who has already started to learn all about being a perfect pup.