About Us
Natalie Wagner-Welds is the founder, CEO, and certified dog behavior consultant at The Scallywag Dog whose specialty is in human-animal connections. The Scallywag Dog was launched pre-pandemic in NYC and has expanded to the shores of New Jersey and soon to be the Denver metro area!
Recommended by veterinarians, veterinary behaviorists, and dog rescues, Natalie is an animal welfare scientist holding a MSc degree in animal behavior and welfare from University of Pennsylvania Penn Vet. She is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), and Fear Free Shelter certified. She was an AVMA welfare contestant in 2020 through Penn Vet, completed Michael Shikashio's Aggression Dogs Master Course, and has experience working in veterinary hospitals, shelters, sanctuaries, and in rescue. She currently volunteers at the Monmouth County SPCA and a recommended behavior consultant by the rescue Mr Bones & Co.
Always inspired by her happy-go-lucky 1 eyed pup Pearl who she rescued with her partner in January 2021, Natalie strives to be a more compassionate, patient, empathetic, educated behavior consultant to benefit both humans and animals.
In the beginning: Writing elementary school projects about running with wolfdogs, Balto, and White Fang while also dreaming about becoming a veterinarian by day and actor/adventurer by night, Natalie hasn’t been far from these dreams! She is an international & nationally award winning and nominated SAG-AFTRA & AEA actress working in film, tv, and stage as well as directing and producing. She graduated honors with a BA in Theatre & Speech and minor in anthropology from Wagner College in 2012. During her time at Wagner College, she participated in a life changing study abroad program in Ongata Rongai Kenya. Upon coming back to the states, she interned at the International Rescue Committee in Baltimore and assisted Liberian refugees through various non-profits on Staten Island.
Fusing the arts, anthropology, and animal welfare into one, Natalie has conducted promising pilot field research while attending University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Vet graduate program on how cinematic storytelling can potentially increase animal welfare across the globe. Her focus was specifically on increasing the welfare of animals that can be “scary” to us such as certain dog breeds, wolves, big cats, sharks, and snakes. One of her favorite animal welfare experiences was caring for 50+ wolfdogs during the pandemic at Full Moon Farm sanctuary in Black Mountain North Carolina. She is extremely thankful for every being (human and animal alike!) that has helped her along her path to keep giving a voice to the voiceless.