At Pawsitive Strides AZ, we don’t just work with dogs—we support the women on the opposite end of the leash. The ones who’ve given their all—heart, soul, and energy—and who’ve carried the weight of the world for so long, that now they’re feeling drained, emotionally scattered, disconnected, overwhelmed, untethered, yearning to find the pieces of themselves they didn’t mean to lose'.

Hello! My name is Maria. And I know that feeling deeply.

I have been a very accomplished ultra-cyclist known for her tenacity, perseverance, and capacity to finish every race I started…I even once was a motivational speaker that people looked up to in moments of self doubt and feelings of defeat. But over time, I found myself living in a constant state of rush, always on the go, not being able to say no to anything or anyone, and without setting clear boundaries until I couldn’t recognize myself anymore. Everything around me reflected the internal chaos I hadn’t stopped to face. Somewhere along the way, I got completely lost, got into a ‘fight or flight’ mode that depleted all of my energy sources, didn't recognize myself anymore and worst I stopped leading not only myself and those around me but, also my dogs.

Pawsitive Strides AZ was born when I touched rock bottom and knew I needed to do something about it. I realized I didn’t need to be perfect. I realized I just needed to return to calm and find my balance again. I needed to create harmony in my pack by finding it in myself first.

Here, we don’t add more anxiety and create more confusion by going straight into strict obedience training. We help you become relevant and find connection with your dog through dog psychology—so you can live a happy and harmonious life together with your pack.

Even when we can work with any breed, we specialize in herding breeds like Australian Shepherds because trust me when I tell you no one gets as many Aussies as I got and ‘survive’…they are too smart for their own good, they need clear communication and a true leader as, like with any dog, they mirror our energy. When we’re unbalanced, they overcompensate. When we’re inconsistent, they take control. But when we step into calm, confident leadership—they breathe easier…and so do we which by default amplifies our connection with them..

This work is for:

• Women who are burned out, lost in the care of others, and ready to reconnect with themselves.

• Women whose high-energy, intelligent dogs are acting out—and reflecting their own internal noise.

• Women who want more peace in their home, their head, and their heart.

  
  You don’t have to do it perfectly.
  You just have to begin leading—with presence, with purpose, and with grace.

Come as you are.
Let’s walk toward balance together—one calm, intentional step at a time.