Our Company

“Our task must be to free ourselves- by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.”  - Albert Einstein

Mission Statement: We at Embark support whole and healthy lives for dogs.  We are committed to providing safe, high-quality training, and customized exercise that fulfills a dog’s need to run and play in the great outdoors.  Our goal is to partner with clients and their dogs to accelerate dogs’ learning and to enhance the life-long bond between dogs and their human companions.

About Our Founders

Kris Savoie
Kris is trainer and owner of Embark Dog Treks and Training.  Kris began advanced dog training in 1997 to address problem behaviors in her own rescued dog.  She paid her way through undergraduate studies at the University of Washington.  While in school, she built upon her training foundation and formed her first dog training business in 2001, Helping Paws.  Since then, Kris has steadfastly continued her education efforts for the benefit of the dogs and human clients she serves. 

Kris' training philosophy is simple - your dog is a family member, and should be treated with kindness, compassion and respect.  Her coursework included the studies of animal learning theory, ethology, canine behavior, canine nutrition, Pet First Aid, and family counseling for animal professionals. She has been a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers since 2002; other memberships also include Truly Dog-Friendly trainers and Puget Sound Positive Trainers. She regularly attends professional seminars and conferences, with speakers as Ian Dunbar, Jean Donaldson, and Pamela Reid; and, most recently, seminars by Kathy Sdao and Pia Silvani.

In 2007, Kris founded non-profit, K.Y.L.A. Project (K-9 Youth Advocacy Project), which pairs at risk youth with shelter dogs. Kris continues to offer her time giving back to the community as an active volunteer for Delta Society and The Humane Society of the Unites States.

Catlin O’Halloran
Catlin (“Cat”) is Marketing Director and Account Manager of Embark Dog Treks and Training.  Cat’s dog passion was instant upon arrival of her first puppy.  Hooked on developing a positive and healthy relationship with her new pup, sparked her foray into dog training.

In 2007, she turned her focus upon advocacy for the humane treatment of dogs as Vice President of non-profit, K.Y.L.A. Project, dedicated to serving at-risk youth, shelter dogs, and the larger community.  A graduate of the University of Washington and the Seattle University School of Law, she is a lawyer, licensed to practice in Washington.   Cat brings a consulting, advocacy, and legal background to the Embark team. 

She is a life-long lover of exercise and of great outdoors, running her first 12K at eight years old.  She has practiced yoga and Tae Kwon Do, combined, for over a decade.  She is hopeful to continue running with her dog well into her (and his) later years.