Mel was born and raised in Southern California. After graduating high school in 2017, Mel enlisted in the US Army as a Military Working Dog Handler. She completed military working dog school and was stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, TX. In 2020, she deployed with her dual-purpose Military Working Dog Cinka to Iraq, where they were attached to an Infantry Battalion belonging to the 82nd Airborne Division as an explosive detection assist.

After completing their overseas assignment, Mel and MWD Cinka were sent to Army base Fort Leonard Wood, MO for an off-leash explosive detection course learning how to use and apply the electronic collar. Melissa and her MWD Cinka assisted in numerous United States Secret Service (USSS) missions in support of the President of the United States, foreign dignitaries, and other diplomatic VIPs. In 2022, Mel and her MWD Cinka were chosen to attend the SWAT and K9 Interacting During Deployment School (SKIDDS).

After completing the tactical course, Melissa and MWD Cinka were selected to be the first female military working dog handler on the Fort Hood Special Reaction Team (SRT). Their mission was to be on call most days to be able to respond to any high-level threats that face the Fort Hood military installation. During her career, Mel earned the rank of Sergeant in the Army which afforded Mel the responsibility to lead soldiers and military working dog training over a five-year career. Mel began a military internship process with Ivy League Canine Academy in January of 2023.

She is now shifting her passion for dog training and subject matter expertise towards a new mission and purpose here at ILK9, which is to help train household dogs to become healthy companions for their families and to help owners morph into Dog Team Leaders.