DYLAN'S STORY
Head Trainer, CCDT
I'm known as Dylan Thunderbolt, I use he/him pronouns, and I am currently 25. I've been in the service dog community since 2017. I've always had a passion for all things dogs and being a leader. I was set to graduate with my BA in film directing in 2019 with the help of my first service dog, Scout. I got her from a program that didn't have the training knowledge I expected and they left me hanging with an untrained dog. I had to finish training Scout on my own and was forced to learn the realities of owner training: it is frustrating, it can break you, and it will drain you.
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The unfortunate experience of dealing with a fraudulent service dog training program left me driven to discover my own solutions to properly train service dogs. I committed to researching the best available techniques to incorporate into service dog training, which further confirmed that the methods I’d seen from other trainers were more destructive than productive.
I now seek to use the knowledge I’ve gained through years of study to help those who were in the position I found myself in when I needed that help. In addition to service dog knowledge, in terms of disabilities, I have a great deal of experience. Our program provides a unique experience because both myself and my co-trainer understand the hardships of being disabled.
Say Hi to Liz
Associate Trainer, CCDT
Hey, I am Elizabeth Spassibojko, but most know me as Liz and I am the Product Manager and Assistant Trainer for Thunderbolt Assistance Dogs. A few of my responsibilities at TAD include helping run and manage the shop, developing and suggesting new ideas, as well as improving customer service and internal processes. Think of me as a thirdhand. Having a service dog myself I understand the challenges many handlers tend to face and try to relate as much as I can. I am passionate about working with fearful dogs and helping them overcome anything that may come in their way because it was something I had to overcome and still work on with my service dog.
Among my other interests, I own a service dog gear shop on Facebook and Instagram called @helperdogboutique that offers a variety of dog products in addition to being an avid horseback rider. Between training horses and dogs there are many overlaps like learning to be patient and thinking quickly on your feet that I use in both fields. I am proud to say that at 17 I got my certification through CATCH Trainers Academy and am now licensed with the state. I am passionate about the behind the scenes that goes into running a business as well as being a dog trainer. I hope to get my MBA and a master's in either finance or accounting one day. I’ve worked with Thunderbolt Assistance Dogs since September of 2021 and I’m so excited to see what the future holds.
