We’re proud to announce the recipient of the Q2 2026 Whitebridge Pet Brands Dog Training Scholarship in partnership with Animal Behavior College… Congratulations to Savannah Van Nice!
Savannah’s story stood out to our reviewing committee, not just for her dedication to dogs, but for the deeply personal transformation that shaped her path. Savannah was given her first dog, Everest, as a puppy after it was realized he was deaf. At the time, Savannah was struggling with serious depression, and Everest gave her the reason she needed to face the world again. He quickly became her best friend.
When Everest began showing fear-reactivity toward people as a young puppy, Savannah worried she was failing him. She initially tried pushing him through his fear, but she came to realize that wasn’t what he needed. Instead, she learned to slow down, listen, and advocate for him, even when speaking up felt uncomfortable. Everest taught her that “bad behavior” is never a dog acting out, but a form of communication rooted in fear or uncertainty, and that lesson has guided everything she does today.
“He taught me that it is okay to have a voice and advocate for what is right.”
Savannah went on to adopt another deaf, dog-reactive dog and used what Everest had taught her to help this new companion make progress quickly. Everest himself has continued to thrive, learning hand-signal communication and earning trick titles along the way. Today, Savannah is working toward a long-term dream of opening a rescue and training center built specifically for special needs dogs, a mission born directly from everything Everest has taught her about patience, communication, and advocacy.
Through the Whitebridge Scholarship, Savannah will now be able to pursue professional dog training education, bringing her one step closer to building that center and giving special needs dogs the understanding they deserve.
Congratulations, Savannah! We can’t wait to see all the lives (human and animal both) you’ll change.
Keep reading to enjoy Savannah’s scholarship winning essay and discover more about her personal journey:
“What Everest Taught Me”
By Savannah Van Nice
My first dog changed my life in ways I didn’t fully expect, but that continue to shape who I am today.
I was given Everest as a puppy when his breeder realized he was deaf. He gave me a reason to face the world. I had been struggling with serious depression, and he motivated me to go outside, to live, to feel less alone. From the beginning, he was truly my best friend.
Around 3–4 months old, he started showing fear-reactivity towards people, and I was scared I was failing him. I often felt unsure if I was making things worse. I thought the answer was to socialize him more and push him through his fear, but I eventually realized that wasn’t what he needed.
I learned to slow down and listen. Instead of forcing situations, I started noticing when he was asking for space. He taught me that I needed to be his advocate. People didn’t need to touch him, but he needed to feel safe, and that boundary had to be respected.
There were times people would approach him despite me saying he didn’t want interaction, and he would get overwhelmed. Those moments taught me how important it is to speak up for him clearly, even when it felt uncomfortable. I used to struggle with being shy and standing up for myself, but Everest changed that. He taught me that it is okay to have a voice and advocate for what is right.
Through him, I learned that “bad behavior” is never a dog trying to act up. It is communication, often rooted in fear or uncertainty. I later adopted another deaf, dog-reactive dog. Using what I learned from Everest, I was able to help her make progress quickly, showing me just how powerful understanding and communication can be, even if it looks a little different.
Today, what stands out most is how he tries his best through challenges. We learned to communicate using hand-signals, and he went on to get his trick titles and try many sports. He came into my life when I needed him most and changed how I move through the world. He shaped the way I understand dogs, behavior, and communication, and set me on the path toward working with special needs dogs.
Everest is a gift. I wouldn’t be the same without him, and I am deeply grateful to be his person. He has come such a long way, and watching that growth has shown me what patience and understanding can do.
Because of Everest, I have built my life around this field, including my long-term dream of opening a rescue/training center for special needs dogs. I want to create a place where they are not misunderstood, but given the time and care they need to thrive. This path comes directly from everything he has taught me about patience, communication, and the importance of advocating for those without a voice. This scholarship would help me turn that commitment into reality.
