The Humans of Union Hill
Hi, I’m Ashley!
Dog trainer, lifelong animal lover, and founder of Union Hill Canine.
Dogs have been part of my story for as long as I can remember. I recall, even as a young child, learning from the dogs around me: quiet teachers with wagging tails and patient eyes who showed me how to listen, how to lead with kindness, and how to build trust without even saying a word.
Today, I’m a multi-certified professional dog trainer, helping people and their dogs find calmness, clarity, and connection. Whether that’s learning how to take a polite neighborhood stroll, explore the world with confidence, or just live together with more ease and joy.
Before Union Hill Canine came to life, I spent years volunteering & working in animal rescue, including managing the dog-care team of the world renowned Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary. I also served as Senior Manager of Animal Behavior & Training at the Crossroads Campus, which doubles as both an animal rescue and a humanitarian organization, helping underprivileged youth to learn pet-related career skills and overcome trauma through the healing power of the human-animal bond. These experiences taught me how to truly listen, how to earn trust, and how to tailor training to each individual and their story.
What began as rescue work, mending broken spirits and giving second chances, eventually grew into something deeper. I fell in love with the magic of watching a dog shed their fear and rediscover joy. That calling carried me into the world of service & therapy dog training, where I was fortunate to learn from master trainers and further witness the profound healing bond between dogs and people. In time, I knew I wanted to plant roots of my own: creating a place where training could prevent heartbreak before it began, keeping dogs in the homes that love them and out of the shelters they might otherwise face.
Now, I live on a little hillside farm just outside Nashville with a family of ten beloved dogs and one ridiculously old parrot. I’m fortunate enough that my life, my home, and my work is full of muddy pawprints, puppy snuggles, and the everyday magic you can only find in the spirit of an animal.
If you’re looking for a trainer who understands that your dog is more than just a pet - that they’re family, a companion, a soul you’re lucky to walk beside - I’d love to meet you both.
Professional Certifications:
Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
Fear Free® Certified Professional Trainer
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Instructor
AKC FIT DOG Instructor
AKC Trick Dog Evaluator
AKC Temperament Test Evaluator
AKC Fetch Judge
Meet Andy
Builder, dog dad, and calm companion to the whole pack.
Though he doesn’t run the training sessions, Andy is an essential part of life at Union Hill Canine. When he’s not running his construction business, you’ll find him lending a hand, and his heart, to the dogs. He’s the one behind the thoughtfully built spaces: the cozy kennels, the fun play yards, the winding paths through tall grass. Every fence post, patio, and pup-friendly detail has Andy’s care behind it.
But more than that, he’s a calm presence that dogs naturally trust. Whether he’s helping a nervous pup settle in, sitting quietly with a shy dog who just needs time, or tossing a ball in the sunshine, Andy brings a steady, grounding energy to the property.
Right now, he’s hard at work building our next additions: an on-site grooming salon and an agility course to add even more enrichment to each pup’s stay.
He may not be front and center, but the soul of Union Hill wouldn’t be the same without him - and the dogs seem to know it.