About
Meet Jess
Jess Ward, MA, FFCP
Owner & Canine Behavior Consultant
Village Canine
Jess is a Canine Behavior Consultant and Neuroscientist with nearly two decades of academic and professional canine experience in fear-free animal husbandry, canine behavioral health, and behavior modification in the DC metro area. Through her career in the daycare, boarding, and training spaces, Jess has been most interested in the behavioral presentation of stress, how fearful animals respond to their environment, and evaluating processes for trauma recovery. As Village Canine, Jess extends her knowledge and expertise to directly support pet parents and their dogs through application of a fear-free, scientific approach to canine husbandry & behavior modification to support long-term canine behavioral health.
Through both research and applied experience, Jess is passionate about improving animal welfare by connecting science with realistic methods to support behavioral understanding without the use of aversive tools and techniques. Jess aims to improve canine socialization and training practices, build strong human-canine relationships through trust and autonomy, and address the glaring gaps in behavioral support for dogs and their humans.
Jess’ interest in animals goes deeper than just dogs. In 2024, she completed a research fellowship studying the natural behavior presentation of captive-raised elephants in northern Thailand to aid in welfare, re-wilding, and reforestation initiatives. She also worked on projects documenting location and behavior of white-handed lar gibbons, where increased pressure from agriculture has fragmented their habitats. Understanding how animals respond to stress in their environment can help build a better future for animals, humans, and the planet.
Jess is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience with George Mason University’s Animal Behavior Lab. Beyond comparative cognition, Jess is studying the effects of urban life on canine behavior, how stressors impact neurological development in animals, and the impact of choice & autonomy on improving canine behavioral health. She also teaches undergraduate courses in learning theory and behavior in GMU’s psychology department.
Jess is an Arlington native and attended Arlington Public Schools, graduating from W-L High School. Jess then received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Business Administration from Franklin Pierce University (Rindge, NH) where she graduated with academic, leadership, and athletic honors. Jess completed a Master of Arts in Industrial & Organizational Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Wash, DC) before beginning her doctoral studies in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience at George Mason University (Fairfax, VA).
Village Canine’s purpose is to inspire owners to learn from their dogs by building strong connections through communication, choice, and trust.
Meet Kono
Kono “Konostertoaster” Ward
Lurcher, 7 years old
In January 2020, I was placed with a new foster dog. He made the long trip from Hawaii to DC at around 2 years old. Severely underweight and with a lot of healed (and healing) scars, I knew he had been through a lot in his short life. But he was so sweet and trusting, like he was thankful.
From the streets of Kauai to city life in the DMV, his transition was challenging. I had to find ways to enrich his life with adventure, exploration, and making lots of canine friends along the way. Finding natural ways to manage his stress allowed him to start enjoying his new life.
Renamed Kono, which means “invited” in Hawaiian, he has lived up to his name. He has helped socialize, rehabilitate, and model behavior for hundreds of dogs and puppies in the DMV. Kono has unmatched fluidity in his social interactions, giving appropriate communication and setting clear and consistent boundaries with little guidance from me. He invites dogs to learn how to be dogs. Kono embodies all his teachings; a true educator.
Jess Ward, Village Canine
Meet Fizzy
Fizz “HBIC” Ward
Heeler Mix, 6 years old
Fizzy prefers to stay anonymous but agreed to be interviewed for this bio.
“Fizz came into my life as a very sick 10-week-old puppy, rescued from less than ideal conditions. Once recovered from pneumonia, she quickly showed her true self, transforming from a scared puppy to a brilliant, loyal dog. However, she is a sensitive soul who needs lots of reassurance that all is safe.
Always on alert, we work on relaxation, desensitization, & counter-conditioning whenever encountering new things, and sometimes old things. We work slowly to foster her confidence, allow for opportunities for consent. Life in the city should not have been in the cards for this spicy girl, but she’s thirving anyway.
Fizzy was 8 months old when she met Kono. Her life changed forever that day. Within an hour, they were having a parkor party through the house, and they have spent everyday together since.”
Jess Ward, Village Canine
Serving Arlington County, Surrounding Areas in the DMV, & Virtually
Behavioral & Training Resources
Build your dog’s confidence, grow their abilities, and give them the happiest life possible.
Canine Body Language Support
Gain a deeper understanding of your dog’s personality, preferences, and communication style.
Vacation & Daytime Care
Reduce your dog’s stress with a highly trustworthy caretaker that your dog knows and trusts.