Donations support shelter dogs, assist low income families, and fund our sober support program for people in recovery, which includes dog training to help integrate these animals into loving homes.
About Us
Our Story
Sit Stay Sober was born out of both struggle and hope. After years of battling addiction and finding my way to 13 years of sobriety, I learned that recovery isn’t a straight path—it’s a journey of small steps, resilience, and community. Along the way, I discovered that dogs have an incredible power to heal, to teach patience, and to remind us of the joy in simple, consistent routines.
At the same time, I built Puppy Einstein, a dog daycare and training business where I’ve seen firsthand how structure and compassion can transform a dog’s behavior—and their owner’s life. I realized those same lessons could help people walking their own recovery journey. That realization became Sit Stay Sober.
Our Mission
At Sit Stay Sober, our mission is to help people and dogs get back on track—together. We believe recovery isn’t just about avoiding what drags you down, but about creating meaningful connections and building habits that support long-term change.
We also know that too many families and dogs never get that chance. Shelter dogs often miss out on training that could keep them in homes, and low-income families are left struggling with dogs they love but can’t afford to train. I know this personally—I grew up poor, in a home with dogs we couldn’t properly train. They weren’t bad dogs; we just didn’t have access to the guidance we needed. Sit Stay Sober exists to change that.
Why We Exist
We are mission driven business committed to:
• Training shelter dogs to improve their adoption chances.
• Helping low-income families access affordable or sponsored dog training, so pets stay in homes instead of being surrendered.
• Mentoring people in recovery, combining structure, encouragement, and the healing presence of dogs.
Sit Stay Sober is about second chances—for dogs, for people, for families.
Join Our Pack
Sit Stay Sober is more than a brand—it’s a community. Whether you’re here because you’re seeking help, offering support, or simply believe in the healing power of dogs and people working together, you’re part of our mission.
Together, we can prove that with patience and persistence, a better life is always within reach.
Why Support Sit Stay Sober
When you give to Sit Stay Sober, you’re not just supporting a program - you’re changing lives, saving dogs, and lifting people up.
Your donation helps us:
• Train shelter dogs so they have the best chance of finding a forever home.
• Provide training for low-income families, making sure loving dogs aren’t surrendered just because help is out of reach.
• Support recovery mentoring programs that pair structure and companionship with hope, giving people in recovery the role models and consistency they deserve.
Growing up in a home where we couldn’t afford a trainer. Our dogs struggled, my family struggled, and I remember wishing there was a program that could help us. Sit Stay Sober exists to be that program - for the families, dogs, and people who need it most.
Every contribution - big or small - moves us closer to a world where second chances are possible for everyone.
👉 Donate or schedule an appointment today and help us give hope, healing, and a fresh start to both people and dogs.
Meet The Founder
Hi, I’m Derek Calado - the heart behind Sit Stay Sober.
I’ve been working with dogs for over 12 years, starting as a grooming assistant, then becoming a dog walker and trainer, later managing a dog daycare, and eventually launching my own business, Puppy Einstein, which has been thriving for the past 7 years.
But my journey isn’t just about dogs — it’s also about recovery. I’ve been opiate-free for 13 years and alcohol-free for 4 years. Dogs have given me so much more than companionship; they’ve helped me rebuild my life and return to the community as a productive, purpose-driven person.
Through working with reactive dogs, I realized something powerful: the process of helping a dog heal mirrors the process of getting sober. Both involve setting up your environment for success, learning to manage triggers, modifying behaviors, and building new habits. Those lessons not only shaped me as a trainer but also carried me through my own sobriety journey.
Today, I’m pursuing my CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA certifications to deepen my expertise. More importantly, I feel a responsibility to give back — to both dogs and people. Sit Stay Sober is my way of honoring the second chance I’ve been given. It’s an absolute honor to serve my community and help others, two- and four-legged alike.services.
