Puppy Day School Teacher

Marlena’s journey with animals began in 2018, when she started fostering puppies on euthanasia lists. Her dedication to rescuing and rehabilitating animals followed her across continents, even as her husband’s military service brought them to South Korea. There, she became a founding member of Rebel Rescue, South Korea’s first no-kill shelter, saving dogs from Meat Farm Markets and giving them a second chance.

Upon returning to the U.S., Marlena continued her mission, working closely with El Paso Animal Services to foster, train, and help dogs near the border. She also found a unique way to give back by working with senior citizens with dementia and Alzheimer’s alongside her certified therapy dog, Splash.

Now back in Houston, Marlena worked with Houston Pets Alive to save cats and dogs throughout the area before dedicating herself full-time to training in 2023. Outside of training, you can often find her enjoying a matcha latte or competing with Splash in dog sports like Rally, Fastcat, Agility, Barn Hunt, and Obedience.

Marlena’s commitment to animals and community shines through in every aspect of her work, whether she’s helping a dog find its forever home or providing companionship to those in need.