By: The Rover Staff
Roxy Tillman’s journey into dog training didn’t start with a grand business plan, it started with a love for animals and a curiosity about behavior. Roxy enrolled in the Animal Behavior College’s dog training program while working at a dog boarding facility, and the program continues to shape how she works with dogs and their people.
One philosophy she learned at ABC that really stuck with her was the idea that progress is always possible. As Roxy puts it, “No cause is lost. You can teach an old dog new tricks.”
That mindset still shapes her approach today, especially when helping clients retrain dogs using new cues when old ones have become ineffective. She learned how to communicate with dog owners and help improve their quality of communication, and their relationships, with their dogs.
After moving into veterinary medicine and becoming a full-time vet tech, Roxy found that she still wanted a way to formally use her training certification. That’s when she decided to list her services on Rover. The platform gave her a way to bring training back into her life without giving up the stability of her full-time job. Rover supported a flexible way to run her business, with its built in tools and support, allowing her to keep using her training skills, work one-on-one with clients, and grow at her own pace.
She especially values being able to connect with clients before confirming sessions. That early communication lets her set clear expectations about goals, methods, and what kind of support she can offer, which she sees as essential to a good training relationship.
Roxy sees ABC and Rover as two pieces of the same puzzle. ABC gave her the knowledge, structure, and ethical foundation she wanted, while Rover gave her a real-world platform to actually use those skills.
When asked what advice she’d give someone considering ABC, she keeps it refreshingly real: “Believe in what you’re doing.” For her, alignment matters, your values, your goals, and your training philosophy all need to match the program you choose and ABC was that program for her.
And for trainers thinking about joining Rover? Her advice is all about clarity and communication. Be upfront about what you offer, set boundaries, and make sure your clients understand what kind of support they’re signing up for.
Today, Roxy blends her veterinary work with her love of training, using ABC and Rover as launchpads that let her grow on her own terms, without choosing between stability and doing the work she loves.
Interested in Joining Rover Training?
Follow Roxy’s lead. Whether you’re newly certified or bringing years of hands-on experience, Rover gives you a flexible way to connect with clients, set your own schedule, and grow your training business on your terms. Learn more at: get.rover.com/training-abc or email the team at training@rover.com
