MEET AKI
how it all started
Hello my name is Aki. I live in Santa Monica, Los Angeles. Over the last five years I have been dedicated to unpacking dogs – observing, learning and working with them to understand their uniqueness, wisdom & purpose. They are my greatest teachers.
My roots and connection to dogs began in Switzerland, where I grew up in a town surrounded by forest. My first dog was a grey poodle with a red bandana. His name was Tim. He nudged me, with the help of my mom, to take him on walks in the forest. I remember how hard it was for me to get going and move my body. I often felt sluggish but after a walk in the lush, green, oxygenized woods I felt rejuvenated. Tim also happened to be the most notorious dog in town. He was awkward, got into countless misadventures, often embarrassing me in front of my schoolmates. The thing is Tim didn’t sweat it. He was unapologetically himself, embraced making mistakes and lived for adventure. He helped me to see the magic of nature, the power of movement and to not care so much about what others think.
Then came Amy, an Australian Shepherd my older sister found on a train. Amy loved going on adventures, hiking and fishing with me. She’d carry my fishing rod or a stick the whole way up to the Alpine Lakes and let me use her as a pillow at night. She had that “I got your back” attitude. My mom tells a story of being in her shop in the city and turning to see Amy and Tim. She questioned her sanity as she knew she had not brought them to work. Luckily for her, a couple from our hometown came to tell us they had watched the dogs board the bus, take the train to the right station, get off and walk to the store. This blew my mind. Tim, who didn’t give a care and Amy, who cared so much, came together to become a pack. They showed me how resourceful and intuitive dogs can be, the beauty of difference, and that anything is truly possible when we put our minds to it (humans & dogs included).
In 2012 while studying in South Africa, I peddled my bike past eight puppies laying in the sun.There, in the mix on the lawn of a thatched roof house was Dylan. He was and still is my best friend. When Dylan and I arrived from South Africa to JFK, I had a frozen bank account and no money to my name. I tried to take the bus, but the driver pointed to the dog and swayed his finger left and right “No dogs on the bus!”. My hope to survive in NYC, this time with Dylan, wasn’t looking good. With my head down, I carried the heavy bag and Dylan on leash out of the airport. Shortly after, the same bus came cruising by, stopped and opened the door in front of me. “I'm going to the Bus depot. You two hop in. I’ll bring you to the train station. When you get on that train you say ‘this is my service dog’ if anyone asks.” That was the first of a decade of lucky breaks and guardian angels looking over Dylan and me. I continued my modeling career, this time with Dylan. The impossible things that society will never let you do with a dog - I did them with Dylan. The “no-dogs allowed” rule was an invitation to experience something extraordinary. Dylan appeared in Vogue – twice, and we went on to travel to 26 countries. He taught me to break some rules (wisely), to play often and most importantly to trust.
Each one of these furry souls have shaped my journey, filled my heart and led me to Los Angeles where I have come to see the pack has my purpose.
MY APPROACH
I have always been fascinated with energy. My early studies in non-force chiropractic helped me to become versed in energy - how we read it, how we move it, and how we communicate non-verbally through it. Tuning into my deep love & fascination with dogs, in 2019 I studied to become an animal behaviorist through an online college. This is where I realized that I wasn't going to be a “dog trainer”. I'm not here to show you how to train your dog but to let your dog feel the energy of belonging from a pack.
Packnique is the technique I created for a pack-leader to hike a pack of dogs. The approach is powerful and effective. Dogs are happiest together – its nature’s design, and learning happens through experience, trial & error, and the ultimately the support of our pack friends. Our office is the trail, with the sun rising, our hearts pounding, we start the day on the right foot. Nature, exercise, socialization and leadership create happy hormones, euphoria and a balanced dog. Through my technique I help dogs release stress, anxiety, energy and reach their natural alpha state. Much like the human nervous system, the technique takes them out of fight & flight or a stress response, into rest & digest, calm and flow. The most essential ingredient that brings it all together is trust. The trust of the pack-leader, the pack and you . Each dog gets integrated one at a time, on leash, mindfully, consistently - working up to the reward of off-leash freedom.
As for the human or dog parent piece, the practice is a combination of self-observation, observation of your dog(s) and leaning into non-verbal communication. Humans ‘consciously' communicate orally. Another way is to leave the realm of words and go into the realm of symbolic communication. You will be amazed how infinite this form of exchange can be. Your dog is going to lean right back, giving you more attention, connection and good behavior.
The journey is a process, but change happens quickly.
the hikes
The integration process includes 8 hikes, twice a week for 4 weeks. It culminates in a hike where the dog parent(s) join, further reinforcing a circle of trust and rewarding progress.
It is magical for humans to witness the beauty, transformation and energy of the pack hike- you will not forget it. From there if there’s alignment, the dog graduates to pack membership. The benefits are really seen through consistency. The pack and nature becoming the balancing agents.
In terms of the nuts & bolts, we hike early mornings to avoid traffic, rattlesnakes and hikers. The hike is 5 miles, 2.5hrs, through natural terrain, steep ascents and fun descents. Pick-ups are included: pick-up (5-6am), depending on season, and drops offs (9-10am). The van itself is part of the practice, helping the dogs cultivate patience, practice commands, and socialize.
If this speaks to you, reach out and tell me your dog’s story.
