After attending DePaul University with a major in Psychology and Communication, Jamie worked as a Social Worker and Case Manager for a not-for-profit organization where she introduced a pet therapy program. From January 1996 through January 2000, she founded, owned and operated Out-U-Go! Pet Care Services in Oak Park. Additionally, Jamie created, owned and operated Out-U-Go In-home veterinary service, worked at the Anti-Cruelty Society as an adoption counselor and kennel staff, and worked as an assistant at the Lincoln Park Zoo. After establishing her reputation in the community, Jamie was brought on as Shelter Director for the highly-regarded Oak Park Animal Care League from 2001 to 2002. Jamie has personally cared for and/or worked with more than 10,000 dogs.

In September 2003, Jamie became one of only 550 dog trainers in the entire world to have earned the prestigious title of Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT).

Jamie's background and education also includes working in veterinary hospitals and doing volunteer work with children and animals. In addition to graduating from Arizona Canine Academy, she has also received certification from Purdue University Veterinary School in Behavior Modification and Owner Education. Jamie has attended dozens of seminars, conferences and workshops all in the interest of increasing her knowledge base and gaining more insight into canine behavior. Her professional interests include human-animal bond theories, agility, and working with canine aggression and behavior disorders. Jamie also works as the behavior consultant for Pet Vets Animal Hospital in Oak Park, and is an active member of The Association of Pet Dog Trainers, International Association of Canine Professionals and The Trainers Network. Additionally, Jamie is currently working on publishing her first book and video with the working title: Dogs at Play; A Guide for Non-Dogs (Humans!)

Most recently, Jamie and the AnimalSense staff officially “adopted” the City of Chicago's Animal Care and Control as AnimalSense's philanthropy. Every week, the AnimalSense staff meets at the shelter to assist the shelter's staff with temperament testing stray dogs living at the shelter in pursuit of aiding the shelter to find the most appropriate homes for each homeless dog.

Animal Sense is the culmination of her education, interests and passions.

When Jamie isn't working with your dogs, she stays busy with her own pets: Sam, a Beagle-Terrier Mix, Liddie, a Belgian Malinois -Doberman Mix and the newly acquired Oodie the Toy Poodle whom Jamie adopted from Chicago's Animal Care and Control. Let us not forget her African Grey Parrot, Tahoe, the talking wonder. Additionally, Jamie personally rescues, fosters and re-homes several dogs & cats each year. For non-doggy fun, Jamie loves to travel, train for an occasional race, and play her guitar.