By: The ABC Staff
When Alisa Gross graduated high school, her path forward wasn’t entirely clear. Like many young adults navigating life after graduation, she took a job at a local pizza shop, working there for a few years before being let go and facing a period of unemployment. Alisa could have easily felt uncertain about what came next. Instead, she returned to a dream she had been carrying with her for years.
That dream actually began much earlier, back in eighth grade.
“I saw an ad for Animal Behavior College on TV,” Alisa recalls. “I instantly knew I wanted to be a cat trainer.”
At the time, it may have seemed like a distant goal, but her love for cats continued to grow. Her own cat, Louise, played a role in shaping that passion, as did the time Alisa spent volunteering at a local animal rescue. There, she witnessed firsthand how “many cats get returned to shelters due to behavioral issues.”
Those experiences reinforced what she had realized years earlier: she wanted to help cats and the people who love them.
In April 2025, Alisa enrolled in the Cat Training Program at Animal Behavior College. Like many students, she had a few concerns at the start, particularly about balancing the cost and fitting coursework into her schedule. Fortunately, the program’s flexible payment options and self-paced format made it possible for her to move forward with confidence.
Once she began her studies, Alisa quickly found herself immersed in the fascinating world of feline behavior.
“The curriculum was thorough and easy to understand,” she says. “Each stage provided an in-depth understanding of feline behavior, which reinforced that I had made the right career choice.”
One experience during her training stood out as a defining moment.
While volunteering, Alisa began working with a feral cat who initially wanted nothing to do with people. Through patience, positive reinforcement, and an understanding of feline psychology, she helped the cat slowly build trust. Over time, the once-fearful cat transformed into what Alisa affectionately describes as a “lovebug” and was eventually adopted into a forever home.
Seeing that transformation confirmed what she already felt in her heart: she was exactly where she was meant to be.
Today, Alisa is turning that passion into a profession. After graduating from Animal Behavior College in January 2026, she began launching her own training business, Fluffy Butt Cat Training, where she plans to work with cat owners to resolve behavioral challenges and strengthen the bond between people and their pets.
Her philosophy centers on compassion and understanding.
“I believe in positive reinforcement, desensitization, and counterconditioning,” she explains. “Cats often act out because they’re scared or misunderstood. Positive interactions show them how to succeed.”
Even in the early stages of her career, exciting opportunities are already coming her way. The rescue organization where she volunteers has hired her to work with cats who need behavioral support, and several potential clients have already expressed interest in her services.
For Alisa, she is deeply passionate about helping the rescue cats. She says, “many owners consider cats “unmanageable” when they act out but I believe they just need someone who understands them.” She further expresses that the most rewarding part of her work is witnessing the transformation that occurs when cats and their owners begin to understand each other.
Looking ahead, Alisa hopes to expand Fluffy Butt Cat Training by offering both in-person and virtual consultations. Her long-term goal is to teach classes and help cat owners across the United States better understand their feline companions.
For current students working their way through their ABC coursework, Alisa offers simple but powerful advice:
“It may feel never-ending at times but keep going. Remember your dream and why you started. The effort is worth it to make a real difference in the animal industry.”
And for anyone considering taking that first step toward a career working with animals?
“Don’t hesitate,” she says. “The staff are kind, helpful, and treat you like family. Make the call and go for it.”
With her passion for rescue cats and her growing expertise in feline behavior, Alisa Gross proves that sometimes the path to your dream career begins with a single spark and the courage to follow it.
