Meet The Team
Our Gang
CEO / Director Of Operations / Expert Trainer
Felicia Valenti
Felicia is a U.S. Navy Veteran, CEO and Director of Operations at Shades Of Blu Dog Training, Woof Gang Rehab & Rescue, and Served And Saved Service Dogs. She has worked with and volunteered training shelter dogs for 13 years, and has been training clients professionally for 7 years. Felicia moved to Hampton Roads, VA in July of 2022 to open our second location. Once our Virginia location is running smoothly, in the upcoming months she will be traveling back and forth to both locations and taking board and trains in both Southern California and Chesapeake, VA.Â
VICE PRESIDENT / FOSTER / TRAINER
Kristin Davis
Kristin is an incredible self-starter who will work tirelessly to inspire her clients and fellow trainers to achieve anything that they put their minds to. Her clients greatly appreciate the consistency in her ability to teach each pup in her care that training is fun, and to recommend a multitude of activities that enrich the lives of the dogs and owners alike.
In her first year of training professionaly, Kristin has achieved titles in dock diving with both her personal dogs and is currently working towards a protection sport title in PSA.
Kristin is our Vice President, So Cal Woof Gang Rescue Lead and Specialist, and has rescued dogs throughout her entire life.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER / FOSTER / TRAINER
Kat & Kimber
Kat & Kimber came to us as a well developed Service Dog & Handler and AKC Tricks Competitors. They wanted to expand on their training with e-collar conditioning.
Kat & Kimber quickly became not only our dearest friends but an expert handler and a well-rounded and extremely competant Service Dog.
The pair have fostered and trained quite a few Woof Gang Rehab Alumni and continue to help us save, train, and find sport/active homes for our adoptables. They also help us offer discounted boarding rates to our previous clients and rescue alumni by offering limited availability boarding in their home.
Follow their IG to keep up with their many travel adventures as well as get deals and recommendations on all the latest and greatest products for your pup!
SECRETARY / FOSTER / TRAINER / CEO Of Black hawk k9
Samantha Boney
After training together for a short time, Felicia & Sam really hit it off and became the best of friends. Sam opened her own training business, Black Hawk K9, in 2022. Shortly after, she began fostering and training for Woof Gang. Sam continues to support our rescue with her expertise in protection sport and service training, as well as running our Northern Virginia Location. She runs the most elite training business in Northern Virginia, and we highly recommend her training services to our gang members in the area, alumni, and to the general public.Â
SOCAL HEAD TRAINER / FOSTER / WOOF GANG ALUMNI
Arianna Towns
Ari has been studying and applying the science of behavior analysis for over 7 years, beginning with children who have autism then finding a true calling in doing so with dogs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and is on the cusp of finishing a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis.
As head trainer and partial owner in Shades Of Blu California, her joy is in teaching and supporting our Southern California training staff in understanding the root causes or patterns that behavior is founded in. Not only does she take joy in guiding dogs through the multi-step processes needed to modify and teach desired behaviors, she loves coaching handlers through integrating changes to the way that they live with their dog, to make training an individualized and meaningful experience. Specializing in establishing a clear system of communication through fluid and fair use of the e collar, she strives to equip handlers with the confidence in themselves and their dog to explore the world off leash.
Though she has always loved ‘training’ her family dogs growing up, she attributes her introduction into the world of professional dog training to her German Shepherd, Artoo, who serves at her side as the most reliable assistant and sport dog. She is also supported by none other than our very own Woof Gang Member, Dipstick, who’s down for any adventure and reminds her to take time to enjoy the simple things in life.
EXPERT HANDLER / BOARDER / WOOF GANG ALUMNI
Alysa Rubacalba
Alysa came to us for help with her reactive puppy, Poppy. She showed great skill and enthusiasm with the difficult training challenges they face together and wanted to get involved more with Shades Of Blu.
She ended up also adopting 2 more dogs from our rescue, Leia & Spice and continues to volunteer with Woof Gang.
Alysa is an expert handler and is skilled and knowledgeable in working with reactive dogs.
Alysa started as Felicia’s personal assistant and currently works as an assistant to our SoCal training team, and helps us offer discounted boarding rates to previous clients and alumni by offering limited availability boarding at her home.
Marketing Specialist / VOLUNTEER / Woof Gang Alumni
Frank Sandoval
Frank came to us in need of help training his German Shepherd puppy, Dogter Dre. He saw we were struggling with our website and marketing techniques, and has done and continues to do a remarkable job with our content, website design, and marketing needs.
He continues to volunteer for our organization by providing us expert web design services, marketing services, and more.
In 2021, Frank adopted our very own Woof Gang Member, Zero, who continues to brighten all of our days with his goofy, loving, and adorable ways.
GANG MEMBER / ASSISTANT DOGGO / SERVICE DOG
Kobalt
Kobalt is a 5-year old GSD/Husky mix, rescued by Felicia, at approximately 1 year of age. One could say that Kobalt inspired the official opening of Woof Gang Rehab & Rescue and our Service, Sport, Therapy, and ESA programs. He is known for his derpy antics, drunk coordination, and of course, his all time favorite, his work as a Service Dog and Shades Of Blu Assistant Doggo. Kobalt is currently preparing for his upcoming involvement in Nose Work and Dock Diving competitions. Will do anything for pets.
GANG MEMBER / ASSISTANT DOGGO / HOUSE HIPPO
Dipstick
After Head Trainer, Ari, foster failed this cross-eyed formerly reactive bully, Dipstick uses his degree in House Hippo Studies to be an Assistant Doggo for Shades Of Blu. Representing as an alumni of Woofgang Rehab & Rescue, he is in charge of continuously emitting good vibes and making sure everyone takes breaks as a scheduled part of the day. His office can be found wherever there’s a sunny spot, or wherever he is invited to snuggle. He brings the fire to obedience work whenever given the chance, and is a great neutral assistant for client pups during lessons, board & trains, or group classes.
GANG MEMBER / EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL
Zero
Zero was one of Felicia’s fosters in Menifee, CA. Â Frank’s dog, Dre, happened to be at Board & Train during Zero’s time as a foster, and the two hit it off, destined to be brothers. With Frank’s older dog, Tyson, who has crossed the rainbow bridge well into his senior years, he and his wife decided it was time to bring another dog into their home, and Zero was the perfect match. They continue with training, enjoy the hiking trails of Southern California, and snuggle up in their Menifee home together.
GANG MEMBER / EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL
Leia
Leia was found on a good samariton’s doorstep at 10 weeks old. They reached out to us to find her a home, and Felicia took her on as a foster even though she had no space left in her kennel. Alysa decided to help out by fostering Leia for “two weeks” until Felicia had the kennel space for her. Within just a few days, Alysa and her family fell in love, and decided to adopt Leia. She came back to Shades Of Blu for her Board & Train and enjoys life as an Emotional Support Animal alongside her sisters, Poppy & Spice.
GANG MEMBER / EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL
Spice
Spice was one of Felicia’s first fosters at our Virginia location. Â When Alysa and her family saw her training journey being posted on social media, they just couldn’t resist. They flew all the way out from California to meet and adopt Spice and she flawlessly accompanied them on their flight back to California. She now enjoys her days alongside her sisters, Poppy & Leia.