Fire to Foundation: What Dog Training Taught Me About Rebuilding Life | Nicole Ellis | TEDxAltadena
When professional dog trainer Nicole Ellis lost her Altadena home in the Eaton Fire, she found that the lessons she’d spent years teaching others—patience, consistency, and compassion—were the same ones she needed to rebuild her life. In this heartfelt and often humorous talk, Nicole shares how dogs model resilience better than humans ever could, reminding us that progress is built one small reward—and one wagging tail—at a time. Nicole Ellis, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, FFCP-T, is a celebrity dog trainer, author, and pet lifestyle expert behind the brand @TailsWithNicole. Seen on Amazon’s The Pack, she’s trained everything from bears to rescue dogs and helps people—from Hollywood stars to everyday pet parents—do more with their dogs through positive reinforcement. Her dogs, Maggie and Rossi, work in film, therapy, and public demos—showcasing the fun andpossibilities of life with a dog. After she and her husband lost their home in the Eaton Canyon fire, they launched @TailsOfRebuilding to share their journey of resilience, community, and rebuilding. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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