About Dog Meets Baby

I traveled 6,000 miles to become your favorite dog trainer.

It was 2007, I was working in finance, and I was miserable.

‍As I was on my way to physical therapy (because my desk job was destroying my back), I glanced over at a park where a trainer happened to be working with a group of dogs.

‍It was if lightning struck me. Suddenly, I knew what I wanted to do with my life.

So, I moved from Europe to San Francisco to attend The Academy for Dog Trainers (known as the "Harvard" of dog trainer programs), from which I graduated with honors.

Enter Lola.

After graduating from the Academy for Dog Trainers, I spent some time in Brooklyn, New York.

And that's where Lola, my yellow lab, adopted me. To handle Lola's wild energy, I become a scent detection instructor (K9 Nose Work) and traveled all over the U.S. competing with her.

Lola is a wonderful dog. But... when I brought home my newborn twins, she had a predatory reaction to them. This is a highly unusual response and, thankfully, as a dog trainer I knew exactly what to do. But I knew other parents might not!

When I went looking for information about dogs and kids, I was surprised by how few good resources existed. So I decided to create them.

‍And Dog Meets Baby was born.

Dominika in the media
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Check out the interviews

Now I'm traveling again.

We've recently left San Francisco to make a home in a new country—our sixth! Wherever we land, I'm so honored to continue offering dog parents like you the resources and tools you need to keep all your kids happy and safe.

Meet the Team

Monika

Monika is the creative behind our graphics, stylish newsletters, and all things design at Dog Meets Baby. A former wedding photographer and mom of two, we first met at a playground back when my kids were 6 months old and she was pregnant with her second. Now based in San Francisco, she loves hiking and road trips with her family. Once afraid of dogs, Monika has learned to read dog body language like a pro through her work with Dog Meets Baby, and now feels confident and calm around them.

Kirsty Waugh

Kirsty is the go-to problem solver behind the scenes at Dog Meets Baby, supporting the team with systems, tech, and day-to-day operations. Based in Cape Town, she balances screen time with outdoor adventures, exploring South Africa's hidden corners, or getting lost in a good book. Driven by curiosity and a deep love of learning, she enjoys being part of a diverse, cross-continent team and supporting the people (and animals) that make up the Dog Meets Baby community.

Emme Halfmann

Emme is the friendly voice behind our Instagram, Facebook, and course community - answering questions, offering support, and testing out products with her two toddlers and Labrador, Izzy. A former performing artist in New York, she shifted into the world of dogs and parenting after moving to San Francisco and starting a family. Now based in Dallas, she balances parenting, the occasional dance project, and life with Izzy.

Allison Towner

Allison is the Partnerships and Collaborations Manager at Dog Meets Baby, where she connects with aligned brands and coordinates expert-led projects like our Bite Prevention Project and the Dog Meets Family Project, for families adopting dogs from shelters and rescues. Originally from Charlotte, Allison was active in local rescue work before moving to Spain, where she now lives with her husband, Ben, their two kids, and their Catalan Sheepdog rescue pup, Finley. When she’s not working, she’s usually outdoors with her family, listening to a podcast, or planning their next dog-friendly adventure.

Angelika Juszczyk

Angelika is a graphic and motion designer based in London and the illustrator behind our children’s book project. We met as teenagers and have stayed close ever since - even when living across the world from each other. A nature lover at heart, Angelika spends her free time illustrating, wandering through hidden corners of the city, and getting lost in crime and fantasy novels. A longtime cat lover, she has been considering adopting her first scruffy pup from a shelter.

Meet the Dogs

Lola

The OG founder of Dog Meets Baby was a rescue Labrador Retriever. Her predatory reaction to my newborn children, one of the scariest moments in my life, led me to create Dog Meets Baby. Lola was the love of my life. I’m forever grateful for all the lessons she has taught me and for being my children’s best friend.

Izzy

Izzy is a British Labrador Retriever who struggled when the baby first started crawling, but with patience, time, and the Dog Meets Baby techniques and approach, she's thriving as a big sister to 2 toddlers. She loves playing fetch and helping us test the best dog gear for growing families.

Hela

Hela is a Spanish Water Dog who loves to cuddle, play fetch, swim, and is always up for an adventure. She is a barker and can be protective of her belongings, so safe rules of interactions for the children are a must. She is always excited to see my children and is their favorite playbuddy.

Finley

Finley is the newest member of the Dog Meets Baby crew. She is a playful Catalan Sheepdog rescue puppy. She loves going to the beach, playing tug of war, and testing products for your dogs. She is a great sleeper!