Meet Our Team
MaKayla Binkus, ADIASVM
Owner/ Head Dog Trainer
Hi, my name is MaKayla. I founded Hands and Paws canine Training in July of 2020. Although I have only had HAPCT for 4 years my journey with dogs/ animals started way before then! Since I was a kid I have been around animals and they have always been apart of my life. My love for animals started when I was just 5 years old taking horse back riding lessons. Since then I have spent countless hours working with a variety of animals. Part of which was while I was attending College to become a Veterinary Technician. A big part of my studies was animal behavior/ rehabilitation from both a behavioral and medical standpoint. While in College I was interning with Jan Flanannagn the owner of K9 Tailshakers to expand my knowledge in dog training. During this time I learned how to do canine enrichment, group classes, private lessons, behavior modification, pet dog training and more. I then graduated with my Associates Degree in Applied Science in Veterinary Medicine in May of 2021. During the time of my schooling I opened HAPCT with my mentors blessing and I was able to start helping owners and their dogs on my own. I then continued to further my education by attending webinars/ seminars and private coaching lessons while also raising and training my service dog Pepper.
2019-2020 Interned and worked with Jan Flannagan the owner of @k9tailshakers
2020 (Completed the MVP program by Nino Drowaert)
2020 Received my Fear Free certification (Veterinary Technician)
2020 Enrolled in Natalie Dobkins virtual training platform
2020 Enrolled in a virtual Service dog training program
2020 Became a Certified AKC Evaluator
2021 (Virtual coaching with @walking dog training)
2021 Graduated with an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Veterinary Medicine
2021 (Attended a Service dog training seminar by Lisa Lior Lima)
2021 (Coaching call with Jennifer Bazan @Jen.dogs101)
2022 (Attended a French Ring seminar by Francois Massart)
2022 (Coaching call with Emma @Ravenk9dogtraining)
2023 (Interned/Shadowed Dallas Hamilton from @backtobalancek9)
2023 (I Hosted the Unity Service dog Seminar)
2023 (Signed up for Coaching with Natalie Dobkins)
2024 (Attended a Canine Fitness webinar with @caninephysioandfitness)
2024 (Attending the Trainer in you seminar by Kate and Bethany) Spring 2024
I now am competing in Disc, Agility, Dock Diving, Fast Cat, AKC Obedience, Rally, French Ring, and I am planning on getting into IGP. I have 3 dogs Pepper, Piper and AR. I have spent hundreds of hours learning from other trainers all across the country who specialize in Behavior modification, Police k9 Training, Detection dogs, Sport dogs, Pet dogs and more. I am constantly expanding my knowledge to better help you and your dogs!
In my free time you can find me doing videography/ photography, going on hikes, traveling across the country, or relaxing on the beach with my dogs.
Kaitlyn Trevathan (KETrev Media LLC)
Social Media Manager
My name is Kaitlyn and I am the founder of KETrev Media. My love of social media strategy, management, and content creating started from a young age. As soon as I had an iPad, I grabbed my siblings and made elaborate iMovie trailers, vlogged hangouts with friends in high school, was always on the social media team for my college organizations and more. Through sharing my journey with my service dog, Sebastian, I have had the AMAZING opportunity to become a full time content creator and have loved every second of it. Throughout the years I have ran social media accounts for small businesses, lead corporate trainings on how to utilize social media to drive sales, and more so I decided it was time to go out on my own and start my own social media management company. Thus, KETrev Media LLC was born.
Sebastian is a German shepherd/husky rescue pup turned service dog. His favorite task is to pick up dropped items, but is excited anytime he does his job well. In his “off time” he loves dog sports, particularly Dock Diving and Fast CAT and has multiple trick titles.