Our Team

Kathy Pirelli is a seasoned and accomplished animal trainer.  Her professional animal training experience spans over a decade and includes work for the Film industry working with a wide range of exotic and domestic animals.  Some of her film credits include, “Gladiator”, “Scorpion King”, “Hollowman”, “K-Pax”, “Hannibal” and “Pearl Harbor” to name a few.  Her education includes a degree in Exotic and Domestic Animal Training and Behavioral Management from Moorpark College as well as additional certifications in a variety of medical disciplines that encompass the safety, health and care of animals and humans.

Her career was sparked after working with Sea World with the founding of the Penguin Encounter for both San Diego and Orlando Parks.  She assisted in their quarantine facility helping to hatch and raise young penguins. For the past seven years Kathy has offered her expertise as a trainer and Master of Ceremonies for the L.A. Zoo’s “World of Birds” Bird Show.  Simultaneously during the past seven years she has been developing and conducting various types of dog training classes and Public Workshops for the Cities of Manhattan Beach, and Avalon located on Catalina Island.

Kathy’s compassion for animals has lead her to donate much of her time to various organizations such as Southern California Pomeranian Rescue, Linda Blair World Heart Foundation, Last Chance for Animals and Candi Cane Cooper Sweet Water Ranch. Various celebrity clients she has worked with include Adrian Brody, Hilary & Haylie Duff, Linda Blair, Beverly Mitchell, Slash from Guns n Roses, Bridget & Holly from “The Girls Next Door”, Frank Spotnitz, Writer/Producer for “X-Files” and renowned Producer Doug Wick,  “Gladiator”, “Stuart Little”, “Saving Private Ryan” to name a few.

Caiti Shuhart has been working for over a decade as a dog trainer, walker and caretaker for domestic dogs ranging from puppies to elderly special needs pets to rescue dogs needing that extra TLC and attention from a firm but gentle trainer.

Over the last few years she has merged her passion for photography with her love for animals and has quickly become a widely known animal photographer in the South Bay area. By taking the time get to know the personality and unique mannerisms of every little furry guy or gal, she manages to bring out the star in every animal, every time.

Caiti also takes a very active part in the community. Her most recent project includes a 2010 calendar of twelve of the cutest cats and dogs in the Los Angeles area in which the proceeds went to the LANGE Foundation for cage-free and cruelty-free shelter for animals.

Caiti continues to be actively involved in the well being of animals, both exotic and domestic, with the K9Klass Team.

Deann Zarkowski has worked in over 40 feature films (Titanic, Gladiator, Hannibal), innumerable television shows (Desperate Housewives, Animal Planet, The X Files), as well as commercials, music videos and photo shoots. Her work with animals, from lions to mice, has taken her around the world and also provided the opportunity to work closely with many talented actors such as Mel Gibson, Robin Williams and Ben Affleck to name just a few. Deanna has a degree in Exotic and Domestic Animal Training and Animal Behavioral Management from Moorpark College

Fiona Andrew trained her first two dogs as a child with The Bytown Dog Obedience Club in Ottawa, Canada. This began her life-long love affair with dogs and other animals. During her career as a Prop Master and Set Decorator she met an animal actor and trainer who changed her life and helped to launch her professional career as an Animal Trainer/Handler. She began working as a Therapy Dog Handler, working with seniors children and mental health patients.

Her philosophy in teaching dog obedience is to learn, laugh and love what you are doing. Her classes are upbeat and fun. She is an excellent instructor for someone with a new puppy or rescue dog. She can provide training adapted to a person’s physical limitations. She can also provide assistance in preparing your family and your home for a new dog.

Erin Bilderback is a pet and studio dog trainer with a degree in Exotic and Domestic Animal Training and Animal Behavioral Management from Moorpark College. With over a decade of experience training dogs for basic obedience, print ads and film, Erin has dedicated her life to animals and animal education.  This comes through in every action of her work. Having worked at K9Klass for the last six years, Erin has stood out as one of the best trainers in the field, with rave reviews from all of our customers. Known for her great deal of patience and attention to detail, virtues that do not go unaccounted for in animal training, Erin has a special touch with animals that our customers can feel from the moment she first begins training their dogs. In addition to being one of the most beloved animal trainers in the Southbay area, she has also been a dog trainer for movies like Santa Buddies, Ride or Die, Nobody’s Baby, Detroit Rock City, Mystery Men, Idle Hands and Nobody’s Baby.