Amanda Larson

My Story

Amanda Larson is a Massachusetts native who moved to Central Wisconsin with her husband in February 2023. Before making Wisconsin home, Amanda began her post-college career as a Special Education teacher before becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), working primarily with children and young adults with autism.

Throughout her career in behavior analysis, Amanda developed a deep passion for working with and training parents and caregivers. She especially loved helping families navigate challenging behaviors and communication in the home, with the goal of creating a supportive, safe, and positive environment where everyone could thrive.

In 2022, after getting married, Amanda and her husband began dreaming of building their family. What they didn't anticipate were the challenges that would come with infertility. After several years of navigating infertility, they ultimately decided to grow their family in a different way—and they knew they wanted a Bernedoodle.

That's when they found CWB.

Fate seemed to have a plan. The current litter of mini Bernedoodles had 12 puppies, with just two spots remaining. In December 2023, Bailey came into their lives, bringing with her an abundance of love, joy, and just a little bit of sass. She quickly filled their hearts and home with happiness and became the sidekick they never knew they needed. To this day, wherever Amanda and her family go, Bailey is almost always right alongside them.

After several rounds of fertility treatments and IVF, Amanda and her husband were finally blessed with a baby boy in October 2025. Bailey has embraced her new role as a big sister and has become their son's best friend. Watching their bond grow has been one of the greatest joys for their family.

Amanda credits Bailey's exceptional temperament to the intentional training, socialization, and exposure she received as a puppy. Through the work Jessica puts into her puppies from an early age, Bailey grew into the gentle, loving, confident girl Amanda and her husband feel so blessed to have. The community Jessica has created has always held a special place in Amanda and her family’s hearts. The love, passion, and care Jessica pours into her puppies and the families who adopt them have created a truly special community of passionate families and caregivers unlike any other. Through that community, Amanda has felt deeply connected to CWB and is incredibly grateful to be a part of it. What began with Bailey has grown into a meaningful connection to the people, mission, and values behind CWB and TWG.

It was through Bailey that Amanda realized how naturally her passions—behavior analysis, advocacy, and dog training—fit together.

Amanda believes that education and intentional training are essential to helping dogs successfully become part of a family. Dogs should feel confident and safe in their homes, while families should feel equipped to understand their dogs and help them thrive around children, older adults, visitors, and everyday life.

That belief is woven in by Jessica and Stephanie at the heart of Tethered by Grace.

Today, Amanda wears a few different hats: she is a Behavior Analyst, stay-at-home mom, and travel advisor. Outside of work, you'll most likely find her spending time with her family, taking long walks, or enjoying time on one of Wisconsin's beautiful lakes.

For Amanda, Tethered by Grace is about connection, understanding, confidence, and creating a life where dogs and their families can thrive together.