Shawn Vaughn, CPDT-KA is the owner and head trainer of Achieve Obedience Academy, LLC, with over 20 years of experience working with dogs across a wide range of disciplines. Her career began in competitive conformation and obedience, and later expanded to include working with rescue dogs labeled as “unruly” or “reactive,” helping them develop the skills needed to successfully live in homes.
Since 2009, Shawn has specialized in foundation training, learning theory, and behavior modification, with a particular focus on working dogs—including mobility, medical alert, and psychiatric service dogs. As a retired service dog handler and long-standing member of the service dog community, she brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her work.
Shawn and her husband, Jason, share their home with 11 dogs, including six collies, a Siberian Husky, two Australian Labradoodles, and a Great Pyrenees. She actively competes with her collies in conformation, rally, and other dog sports.
Shawn is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), a member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), an AKC Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Evaluator, and a Certified Mentor Trainer with the CATCH Canine Trainers Academy. She is also certified in canine and human first aid and CPR, ensuring safety remains a cornerstone of every training experience.