Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Cat Lee of Berthoud, Colorado

We recently had the chance to connect with Cat Lee and have shared our conversation below.

Cat, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are all about creating balance. I start with about 30 minutes of quiet time, sipping tea or coffee while I read. It’s a simple ritual that helps me ease into the day with a clear mind. After that, I move into yoga or Pilates—my dogs practice a calm down-stay beside me, which has become a grounding routine for all of us. Then I do a few fitness exercises with my 13-year-old dog, Clover. It’s our special time together and a way to keep her active and engaged as she gets older. Once we’ve had that mix of calm, movement, and connection, I’m ready to head into work with energy and focus.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Cat, the owner and head trainer at K9 Wisdom in Berthoud, Colorado. At K9 Wisdom, we believe training is about so much more than teaching cues—it’s about building stronger, healthier relationships between people and their dogs. What makes us unique is that we combine science-based, positive reinforcement training with a deep respect for each dog’s individual needs and personality. We’re just as focused on the dog’s emotional well-being as we are on their behavior, and that balance makes training more effective and sustainable.

Our programs range from private training and group classes to day school, with an emphasis on real-life skills that help dogs thrive at home, in the community, and out in the world with their families. We also love educating owners, giving them the tools and confidence to truly enjoy life with their dogs.

Right now, we’re especially excited about expanding our day school program and continuing to bring a mindful, relationship-based approach to training. For us, every success—whether it’s a puppy learning to settle or an older dog gaining confidence—feels like a shared win. That’s what makes K9 Wisdom special: we’re not just training dogs, we’re helping families live better together.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Interesting question! I feel that bonds between people often break when we lose connection to ourselves or betray that connection through lies or dishonesty. When we’re pulled off-center by stress, distraction, or assumptions, it’s hard to show up authentically, and relationships start to suffer. Distrust grows quickly when integrity is missing, and relationships begin to unravel. In dog training, it’s similar—if a dog can’t trust you to be consistent and honest in your actions, the relationship and bond suffers..

I find that what restores bonds is returning to your center and living with integrity. For dogs, that might mean clear, consistent cues that help them feel safe and successful. For people, it’s pausing, realigning, taking the time to listen without the urge to talk, and showing up honestly—grounded in who you are. When honesty and trust guide our actions, relationships can reconnect and thrive.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the defining wounds of my life has been losing very close family members. Spending time with my dogs gave me constant companionship and comfort—they taught me about presence, resilience, and unconditional love. Time with my family, along with art and hiking as therapy, helped me process my emotions. These practices didn’t erase the pain, but they taught me that grief can coexist with joy, and that connection—to people, to animals, and to life itself—is what ultimately heals.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think one area where smart people are getting it wrong today is in assuming that technology is automatically bringing us closer together. From the outside, it often appears that we’re creating stronger bonds by staying constantly connected, but in many ways, I see it creating a wall that will be hard to come down from. Don’t get me wrong—technology has incredible potential to educate, inspire, and connect us in meaningful ways. But I worry about upcoming generations and their comfort with real-time communication, and whether they’ll fully appreciate the depth and satisfaction that comes from long-term goals and relationships without instant gratification. That’s why our company tagline is Unplug and Train Your Dog. We encourage people to be present with their dogs, and I feel that is an amazing experience—one that teaches patience, connection, and mindfulness in a way that technology often can’t.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m in the mountains in Colorado, exploring new places, and spending time with my dogs and the humans I care about. Being present in those moments—whether we’re hiking or just taking in the surroundings—helps me relax and recharge.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.k9wisdomtraining.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k9wisdom_dognerd/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/k9wisdomdogtraining/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@k9wisdom_dognerd

Image Credits
Osk Ingadottir