MEET OUR TEAM
TRACY MONGIELLO
Owner/Trainer
Tracy (Hudak) Mongiello is the Lead K9 Trainer and owner of Stellar K9 Services. Her path into dog training has been shaped by passion, continuous learning, and a deep belief in the life-changing bond between dogs and their owners. Although she has loved animals her entire life, her true interest in training began when her Uncle Michael introduced her to a chocolate Labrador named Hershey - whose discipline and reliability sparked her fascination with dog behavior.
After nearly 20 years in law enforcement, Tracy transitioned her experience as a Police K9 handler into a full-time career in dog training. Her K9 partner, Argo, was certified as a dual-purpose police dog through both the Pennsylvania Police Work Dog Association and the North American Police Work Dog Association. Argo was not only an exceptional working dog, but also her heart dog and trusted partner.
With guidance from her mentor, NAPWDA Master Trainer Pat Moloney, Tracy founded Stellar K9 Services in Florida in 2015. Since then, she and her team have trained thousands of dogs. She remains committed to ongoing education, regularly attending seminars and advanced training programs to ensure her methods continue to evolve.
From AKC evaluations to service and therapy dog training, Tracy and her team take pride in helping dogs become well-behaved, confident companions through patience, consistency, and care. She uses balanced training techniques and understands that every dog and owner team is unique - there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Through Stellar K9 Services, Tracy’s mission is to build strong, lasting relationships between dogs and their owners while promoting responsible ownership and advocating for the well-being of all dogs.
CRIS OKULANIS
Trainer
Cris Okulanis brings a unique and deeply personal background to Stellar K9 Services. She worked in real estate law for 16 years before transitioning to home healthcare in 2011 following a life-changing event - her husband, James, was shot in the line of duty and became paralyzed.
Cris has been working with and training dogs since childhood, but began training professionally in 2001 after meeting Master Trainer Pat Moloney, who profoundly shaped and guided her career until his passing in 2024. Under his mentorship, she certified cadaver dogs (human remains detection dogs), air scent dogs, and tracking dogs through the International Police Work Dog Association, North American Police Work Dog Association, and Pennsylvania Police Work Dog Association.
She is also a certified therapy dog evaluator and board member with Therapy Dogs United, as well as an AKC Evaluator. Over the years, she has trained and deployed multiple dogs in partnership with search and rescue teams on a variety of missions.
Currently, Cris works with her two German Shepherds, Ava and Drax, whom she actively trains and competes with in AKC events, including scent work, frisbee, and dock diving. Both dogs are also certified therapy dogs through Therapy Dogs United.
Her lifelong passion for dogs continues to guide both her personal and professional life. Cris is proud to be part of Stellar K9 Services, where she values working alongside dedicated clients - both human and canine - who are making a meaningful difference in their communities.
CHERYL BAKER
Trainer
Cheryl is a member of the Stellar K9 Services team who is passionate about helping owners experience the same “lightbulb moments” she discovered through her own journey in dog training. After five years of training her Westie, Ragnarr, through Stellar K9, she experienced firsthand how clear communication can transform the relationship between dogs and their owners.
As a trainer, Cheryl specializes in teaching effective, stress-free techniques to clients. Whether working on solidifying basic commands or introducing new activities to challenge a dog’s mind, she is dedicated to making the training journey successful, sustainable, and enjoyable for both ends of the leash.