Meet Jesi Bailey | Certified Dog Trainer & AKC Evaluator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jesi Bailey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jesi, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
At Super Nova Pet Care, our mission is to help dogs and people thrive together while supporting the well-being of our community. A big part of our work involves helping rescue dogs, foster families, and new adopters navigate the transition into a stable home. Many dogs enter shelters because of behavioral challenges or a lack of early guidance, so by providing training and support during those critical stages, we help prevent dogs from being surrendered into the shelter system and, instead, set both the dog and the family up for long-term success.

We’re also passionate about the role dogs can play in supporting community wellness through therapy work. One example is Saber, a cruelty case rescue who came from a difficult start in life and went on to be trained as a hospital therapy dog with the WellStar Health System. Saber visits patients and staff, offering comfort, calm, and connection during moments when people need it most. Stories like his highlight how training, patience, and compassion can transform a dog’s life and allow them to give back to the community in meaningful ways.

Through our personalized services, we focus on practical, trustworthy, and humane solutions that help families understand their dogs and build strong, positive relationships. By educating owners and supporting dogs at every stage—from rescue and rehabilitation to everyday family life—we aim to create a community where dogs are better understood, better cared for, and able to truly shine.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In 2015, I rescued a six-month-old American Pit Bull Terrier named Nova from the euthanasia list. She had been returned to the shelter several times for “unmanageable” behavior and arrived covered in cigarette burns. She was anxious, overwhelmed, and deeply misunderstood—but something about her told me she deserved a chance. Bringing Nova home changed the course of my life.

At the time, I didn’t have professional training resources to lean on, and Nova’s severe separation anxiety quickly proved to be a complex challenge. We struggled together. I spent countless hours researching, experimenting, and learning how dogs think and learn, determined to help her feel safe in the world. In many ways, Nova became the dog who made me the trainer I am today. Every breakthrough we had together fueled my drive to keep learning.

Not long after Nova joined my family, I developed a seizure disorder. Before any formal training began, Nova started naturally alerting me to my seizures. Recognizing what she was doing, we began training together for service work. Nova eventually passed public access assessments and worked full-time by my side as my seizure alert service dog.

As I entered the pet services field, Nova came to work with me every day. She became my demo dog in group classes and private training sessions, helping me teach everything from basic manners to more advanced skills. Over the past decade, I’ve worked across many areas of the pet care industry—from independent grooming salons, to veterinary medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, to teaching training classes for national pet retail brands and respected local daycare and training facilities. Along the way, I continued studying under specialty trainers in trick training, agility, and scent detection.

I later became a Certified Training Partner through Karen Pryor Academy, specializing in positive reinforcement training, and earned American Kennel Club credentials that allow me to evaluate and award select AKC titles.

Through my time working in both corporate and privately owned pet care environments, I began to see firsthand how unregulated the dog industry can be—and how difficult it can be to find places that truly prioritize individualized care, enrichment, and humane training practices. As someone whose own dog worked beside me every day, it became especially important to me to find and create environments where dogs wouldn’t just be managed—they would truly thrive, while maintaining the training and boundaries their families worked so hard to build.

Nova, a dog once labeled “unmanageable,” became my service dog, my training partner, and the reason I dedicated my life to help dogs and their people. She is the inspiration behind everything I do and will always be the first Super Nova Star.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were coming to Atlanta for a week, I’d plan an itinerary that mixes the city’s creative energy, amazing food, and some of the best dog-friendly spots around.

We’d start the trip on the BeltLine, grabbing coffee and walking the trail to soak in the art, people-watching, and pop-up markets that always seem to be happening. From there we’d head into Piedmont Park for a longer stroll and maybe catch one of the many festivals or local markets that pop up there throughout the year. It’s one of the best places to experience Atlanta’s community vibe.

For food, Grindhouse Killer Burgers on Memorial would definitely make the list—not just because the burgers are great, but because their dog-friendly patio makes it a perfect stop if you’ve got a pup with you. Another must is Carroll Street Café in Cabbagetown for brunch or dinner. It has that cozy neighborhood feel that makes you want to linger for hours.

In the evenings, I’d take them to Manchester Arms Pub in College Park. It’s a small British-style pub with an incredibly welcoming atmosphere—great drinks, good food, and the kind of place where you end up in conversation with the people around you.

For something creative and uniquely Atlanta, I’d book one of Tiny Doors ATL’s art tours, if available, or head to the Krog Street tunnel to take in ATL’s street art. It’s such a fun way to explore the city through public art and discover neighborhoods you might otherwise miss.

Atlanta Utility Works would also be on the list. They host some of the best local markets and community events around. It’s a great place to grab a drink, some food, hear some local music and shop from local makers all in one spot.

By the end of the week we’d probably circle back to the BeltLine again—because that’s really Atlanta at its best: music drifting out of restaurants, street art everywhere, dogs on patios, people out walking and biking, and something interesting happening around every corner.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m also incredibly grateful to the rescue partners who trust me with their community. Joy’s Promise Rescue connected me with Saber—our cruelty-case survivor who went on to become a hospital therapy dog with the WellStar Health System—and they continue to do extraordinary work advocating for the “underdogs,” including tirelessly trapping and rescuing feral dogs that people have too often failed. Bosley’s Place Rescue does equally vital work with neonates and young puppies, giving them the care, early support, and thoughtful placement they need to grow into healthy, well-adjusted companions. Both organizations pour their hearts into animal welfare, and I’m honored that they trust me to support their fosters and adopters with training and guidance.

Website: https://supernovapet.net

Instagram: @supernova_petcare

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuperNovaPetCare

Image Credits
Zach Jackson – Alpha View Photography