Laura has been working with dogs since 1978.  Her dogs have been trained and worked for search and rescue responding to 9/11, the Baltimore Harbor search, and Hurricane Katrina.  She has been the training director for Oriole Dog Training Club, and Mid Atlantic DOGS.  She has trained dogs for pet detection, mobility and hearing assistance, and therapy work, even to locate desert tortoises for a research project!  Laura has taught classes and seminars through the United States for Law Enforcement Training Specialists, many SAR units, the Animal Behavior College, and the Missing Partnership.  She started the new sport of Snifferdog for people and pets looking for a fun activity they can play together.

Laura was an operational member from 1996 to 2002 with Torrie, a Rottweiler. She subsequently returned and again achieved operational status in January 2007 with Aron, a Rottweiler.  She is currently certified with her Rottweiler Ursa for cadaver and her German Shepherd Dog Chewy for trailing (LETS).  Laura has certified with her various SAR dogs in wilderness; land and water cadaver; and trailing.