For Gee Zinza, behavior work isn’t about “fixing” animals. It’s about listening, translating, and meeting them where they are.

As a Behavior Specialist at Humane Society Silicon Valley, Gee’s days are anything but predictable. Her role spans hands-on behavior work with dogs and cats on the Behavior Team’s radar, training consultations for adopters, post-adoption support, and ongoing guidance for foster parents. She also develops and teaches trainings for staff and volunteers, leads classes, mentors team members, and supports skill sign-offs, all with the same steady goal in mind: helping animals and people understand each other better.

Outside the shelter, Gee brings her work home with her. As a foster parent, she often opens her door to shy, fearful, and special-needs dogs and puppies, especially those who need extra time and patience to feel safe. “I often end up with dogs who need help coming out of their shell,” she says. “My job is to help them build confidence so they’re ready for a loving home.”

Drawn to the Dogs Who Need More Time

Gee is especially passionate about working with dogs others might find intimidating or overwhelming, including fearful dogs, mouthy puppies still learning manners, and dogs with sensory impairments. Deaf and blind dogs, in particular, hold a special place in her heart.

“I love seeing the changes dogs go through,” she shares. “Watching a shy or fearful dog begin to trust, or seeing a rowdy puppy learn how to make better choices, that’s incredibly rewarding.”

She’s often the go-to person for educating adopters of deaf or blind dogs, helping families understand that with the right support, these dogs can thrive just as fully as any other. What keeps her going, she says, is seeing those dogs land in loving homes and receiving updates months or years later that they’re still doing well.

When Training Becomes a Conversation

One of the biggest mindset shifts Gee sees in families happens when people begin to truly see their dog as a whole being, with needs, emotions, and a unique way of communicating.

“I love working with first-time dog parents,” she says. “Everything is new, and they’re absorbing so much. When people become open to learning how to communicate with their dog and how to give them the best life possible, that’s when real change happens.”

Gee helps families translate what they learn in class into real life by tying training back to everyday moments, often using human comparisons to make things click. “Dogs feel things. They’re watching us. They’re learning all the time,” she explains. “Once people understand that, training becomes less intimidating and more intuitive.”

The Small Moments That Matter Most

Some of the biggest breakthroughs Gee sees don’t always look dramatic, but they matter deeply.

“Recognizing a dog’s body language is huge,” she says. “I always encourage people to just sit and watch their dog. You can learn so much from that simple act.”

Understanding what a dog is trying to communicate, she explains, is often half the battle. When families start to notice subtle cues like stress, curiosity, hesitation, or comfort, it opens the door to better decisions, fewer misunderstandings, and a stronger bond.

Success Isn’t Perfect Behavior. It’s Commitment.

For Gee, success isn’t measured by flawless obedience or quick wins. It’s measured by commitment.

“Every adoption where a dog stays in their home, is loved, and cared for, that’s a win,” she says. “Especially when families are willing to work through challenges and use the support we offer.”

One recent story that stands out is Thea, now Ellie, a dog who arrived at HSSV with medical issues and was deeply shut down. While fostering Ellie, Gee watched her open up, guided by the calm confidence of her well-socialized dogs. Ellie eventually found her way into a loving home with an adopter who had previously adopted another one of Gee’s foster dogs years earlier.

“That was incredibly meaningful,” Gee says. “Seeing her flourish after everything she’d been through reminded me why this work matters.”

Beyond Skills, Toward Understanding

At the heart of Gee’s work is a simple hope: that families leave training with a deeper understanding of their dog and of the relationship they’re building together.

“Dogs are sentient beings,” she says. “They need to be met where they are in their journey. And most of all, they just want to be loved and taken care of.”

She often returns to a quote from Marley & Me that captures this philosophy perfectly:
“Give him your heart and he’ll give you his.”

For Gee, training isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection, patience, and learning to listen, one small moment at a time.