Meet Maria
I grew up in Pennsylvania with dogs by my side and a love for people in my heart. From a young age, I realized that while dogs are simple, people are complex,and understanding them is the key to success in any relationship. That lesson has shaped my career and my life.
After earning my degree in Public Relations, raising two children I then spent over two decades in professional sports and entertainment, working behind the scenes with the Hershey Bears Hockey and coordinating large events, concerts, and shows. I learned how to read people, navigate high-pressure situations, and lead with confidence, but even with all that experience, I knew something was missing: a way to combine my love of animals with my gift for connecting with people.
When COVID-19 ended my career, I had a choice: start over in an unfamiliar path or pursue the passion I had been quietly cultivating for years, dog training. I chose the latter. I launched Full Potential Dog Training, building a thriving business from scratch, creating programs that help dogs grow, owners learn, and pet professionals communicate more effectively.
Now, through the creation of Full Potential Collective, I help trainers, daycare staff, sales teams, and veterinarian offices transform the way they interact with clients. I teach people how to identify personality types, communicate with clarity and empathy, and build relationships that last. I’ve seen firsthand how frustration, second-guessing, and anxiety melt away when you understand people,and that’s exactly the transformation I want for others.
I love helping nervous dogs gain confidence, teaching puppies to problem-solve, and guiding owners to see the world through their dog’s eyes. But what excites me most is helping pet professionals gain the tools, confidence, and calm they need to thrive in this crazy communication world. Because while we can’t talk to dogs, we can talk to their humans,and the right words can change everything (or break everything).
At my core, I’m a teacher, a guide, and someone who believes that every pet professional can lead with purpose, connect with authenticity, and create an environment where both dogs and humans thrive.
What Professionals Are Saying
Maria was amazing! She is knowledgeable and experienced and you can tell she truly loves and cares about your dog. In our first meeting she gave us simple and actionable steps to address our concerns. I would recommend Full Potential to anyone without hesitation.
Full Potential helped me realize my struggles weren’t with dogs — they were with people. Now my sessions are smoother and way less stressful.
Where do I even start? Maria was/is a saving grace. She helped me get confidence in myself & in my boy back. After many failed trainers/training attempts/set backs, Maria came in and instantly formed a connection with both of us. She helped me understand him a little more and helped him grow. He was the best boy & so full of life. I always said she would be our full time trainer, and here we are with 2 new puppies and she was the first person we said we needed to call to get training started.