Learn About Your Event Presenters
Dr. Laura Donaldson
Professor Emeritus, Cornell University
Dr. Laura Donaldson (PhD) is a Professor Emeritus from Cornell University located in Ithaca, New York, United States. She is an award-winning writer on dog behavior who has worked as a canine behavior specialist for 20+ years. Laura is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), a Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP), and a Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI). She is also a Certified Trauma Professional and created the very popular program Slow Thinking is Lifesaving for Dogs® for traumatized as well as aggressive dogs. She has presented at many conferences and given a number of online talks, podcast interviews and webinars, including Trauma and Aggression in Dogs and courses such as Somatic Self-Resilience for Dogs. Laura currently lives in upstate New York (Fingerlakes region, northeastern United States).
Niki Tudge
MBA, PCT-A, PCBC-A
Niki is a certified Dog Behavior Consultant and holds reputable health and fitness certifications.
As the founder and President of the Pet Professional Guild, DogNostics Education, and The DogSmith, Niki has substantial leadership experience in the pet industry. Niki has published numerous articles on dog training and behavior, and her pet dog training businesses have been featured in many publications, including The New York Times.
Niki’s professional credentials include; AABP-Professional Dog Trainer, AABP-Professional Dog Behavior Consultant, and PCBC-A and PCT-A through the Pet Professional Accreditation Board. Niki also earned diplomas in animal behavior technology and canine behavior science and technology through the Companion Animal Sciences Institute.
Along with Niki’s business degree and M.B.A. from Oxford Brookes University, she is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt, HCITB TS1, TS2 & TS3 certified people trainer, and Team Facilitator and Project Manager.
To complement Niki’s dog behavior skills and experience, she is also a certified fitness Instructor, walking and running coach, and carries several certifications in the health and fitness industry. Additionally, Niki offers coaching and programs through her business, Running with Your Dog.
Her professional credentials include International Sports Science Association (ISSA) certified fitness trainer, ISSA certified transformation specialist, nutritional coach, and ISSA elite trainer. Niki is also a certified ChiWalking and ChiRunning coach. In addition, she has completed the well-known M.A.F. Foundations certificate course developed by Dr. Phil Maffatone and is a supporter of the M.A.F. system.
Laura Cassiday
Certified cat behavior consultant
Laura Cassiday is a certified cat behavior consultant living in Baltimore, Maryland. She began her career with Maryland SPCA, where she served as the cat behavior coordinator, implementing enrichment programs and initiatives to improve the treatment of shelter cats. In 2021, Laura founded Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior and Training, focusing on addressing behavior issues in private homes to prevent cats from entering shelters. Through remote and local sessions, she resolves aggression, destructive behavior, and litter box concerns while empowering caregivers with a deeper understanding of their feline companions. Laura is also actively involved in advocacy efforts, such as supporting the Maryland Anti-Declaw Bill, is a published author of The Complete Guide to Adopting a Cat, and serves as Feline Division Chair of the Pet Professional Guild.
Samantha Rubio
R+ based horse trainer
Samantha Rubio is an R+ – based horse trainer, and the manager of a positive reinforcement (R+) – based equine medical and behavior rehabilitation facility in Montgomery County, Maryland USA. She has an academic background in neurobiology & behavior and animal science, and an equestrian background in French classical dressage and saddle fitting. In her free time, Samantha enjoys cooking, reading, and going for walks in the woods with her partner and their 1-year-old standard poodle, “Cayuga.”
Suzanne Clothier
Relationship Centered Training (RCT™)
Suzanne Clothier has been working with animals professionally since 1977, with a deep, broadly varied background of experience. She is well respected for her humane, practical and sensible Relationship Centered Training (RCT™) approach to dogs and the people that love them.
She has taught throughout the US and internationally on a variety of topics. Her thoughtful, effective tools and materials have been put to use by every day pet owners, and by trainers, breeders, veterinarians, academics, in guide & service dog organizations, and in animal assisted therapy. She serves as a consultant to guide & service dog schools.
Regarded as an innovative trainer with exceptional observation skills and a broad range of knowledge, Suzanne is always in demand as an exciting, informative and entertaining speaker capable of making complex topics easily grasped and practical. Her works includes:
- CARAT™ – a novel temperament assessment & scoring system
- The Enriched Puppy Protocol™ – Program for early puppyhood development, birth to 9 weeks
- RAT™ (Relationship Assessment Tool) – dog/human relationship dynamics assessment
- FAT™ (Functional Assessment Tracking) – this app looks at functional assessment of individual dog
- CCC™ (Connection, Cooperation & Control, with Cindy Knowlton) – a puzzle based training program
- Your Athletic Dog: A Functional Approach — gait & movement assessment
An award winning author of videos, books, and numerous articles, Suzanne’s writings have appeared around the world in countless languages from Danish to Japanese. Her book, Bones Would Rain from the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships With Dogs (Warner, 2002) has received widespread praise from every corner of the dog world, including twice being included in The Wall Street Journal’s list of Top 5 Dog Books.
She is a member of PPG and IAABC. A long time German Shepherd breeder, Suzanne lives on an upstate New York farm with husband John Rice, and their considerable animal family.
[email protected] SuzanneClothier.com
Mary Richards
Equine behavior & enrichment specialist
Mary Richards is an expert in animal behavior, with a particular focus on equines. With over 15 years of experience as a zookeeper, Mary honed her skills in behavioral and environmental enrichment, developed keen observational abilities, and fostered a deep-seated passion for improving animal welfare.
In her subsequent role as an Equine Zoological Manager, Mary was instrumental in developing and implementing comprehensive enrichment programs for a large population of over 150 horses. Her work in this capacity underscored her commitment to enhancing the well-being of equines through innovative enrichment strategies.
Mary’s dedication to animal welfare extends beyond her professional endeavors. She is the proud owner of Bird, a 22-year-old Belgian Draft mare who benefits from Mary’s expertise and compassionate care.
Driven by a mission to improve the lives of equines, Mary actively educates horse owners and equine facilities about the importance of enrichment. Her goal is to create a better world for horses through knowledge sharing and advocacy.
Melissa McCue-McGrath
Host of the podcast BewilderBeasts!
Melissa McCue-McGrath gets peed on and humped way more frequently than should be allowed for a paid gig.
Even though she lives in rural Maine presently, Melissa’s primary focus as a trainer and behavior consultant is the impact urban environments have on pet dogs and their families. She authored Considerations for the City Dog in 2015, when she was living in Boston, as a means to give voice to dogs and their people in an often impossible environment.
Over the last 20 years, she has been enthusiastically talking about dogs at Tufts University, The Broad Institute/MIT, the New England Federation of Humane Societies, Pet Professional Guild, Raising Canine, the Massachusetts Veterinary Technicians Association, the Boston Museum of Science, the Animal Behavior Society’s Public Day, the PACT Dog X conference in the UK, and multiple visits to the preschoolers at the Michael Capuano School in Somerville, MA, who were a tough -but fair- crowd. She’s also been a faculty advisor for the Victoria Stilwell Training Academy since 2015.
Her podcast BewilderBeasts! shines a light on the infinite ways in which animals intersect with humanity. The podcast has a steady worldwide audience and it frequently breaks the top 50 in science / nature podcasts in rankings.
She hates pickles, loves whiskey and admits the best way for her to agree to something is by using the phrase, “This is a wild idea, but…”.
For more information, go to www.melissamccuemcgrath.com, listen at BewilderBeastsPod.com, or find her on Facebook and Instagram.
Lesley Forrester
Animal Assisted Practitioner, Speech & language therapist
Lesley is an Animal Assisted Practitioner and company director of Northern Animal Assisted Therapies and Activities (NAATA CIC).
She is also a qualified Speech and Language Therapist, working part time within the NHS in the North of England where she specialises in early intervention and partnership working and delivers training to the children’s workforce.
Lesley has a passion for unleashing the joy and power of human-animal interactions. Her own fascination for living things goes back to her very earliest memories. She knows firsthand, the resilience and well-being that comes about through a connection to nature and animals and she delights in sharing this with others.
Today she works alongside her therapy animal team, the NAATA dogs and chickens. In partnership with schools, healthcare practitioners and community organisations, they enable disadvantaged children and young people to develop confidence and skills. They focus on the enjoyment of play and positive relationships between people and between people and nonhuman animals.
Craig Ogilvie
Internationally renowned dog trainer & business coach
Internationally renowned seminar leader, author and business mentor Craig Ogilvie is a highly experienced canine behavior consultant and trainer, police dog training instructor and mondioring decoy (licensed in France).
Having spent a great deal of time training and testing working dogs in locations all over Europe, he very quickly went on to achieve unique accreditation. Craig was the first person from the United Kingdom to be licensed to test and train dogs internationally in the working dog sport called mondioring, which consists of obedience, agility and criminal apprehension.
Craig is one of the very few experienced and qualified civilian police dog training instructors in the United Kingdom and has worked for the police full time as a dog training instructor. He has delivered seminars to multiple police dog sections, U.K. military working dog teams and search and rescue teams.
Craig’s passion and study of dog behavior and training led him to become a canine behavior consultant and trainer, with much of his time being focused on working around problematic behaviors in dogs, problem-solving, motivation and the power of positive reinforcement when working with dogs, along with helping hundreds of behavior consultants and dog trainers to build successful businesses as part of his business mentorship program. Craig’s journey has enabled him to help dogs and people all over the world via seminars, workshops and online training for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Visit: https://ogilviedogs.com/
Robin Bates
MAPDT, Robin Bates Dog Training, Northern Ireland
Robin has been training puppies and dogs for over 20 years and is considered a leading expert in dog behaviour and training. He started training his Airedale terrier, Cassie, in a dog club and after a few years became an instructor. He was later part of the Northern Ireland Obedience Team and competed in Crufts with his Airedale terrier Poppy.
He has been involved in every type of job around dog welfare from a dog walker, to kennel owner to now a trainer and owner of a canine centre of excellence in Ballyclare, Northern Ireland. Until January 2023, he had 4 dogs and sadly 3 crossed the rainbow bridge so now just has Cooper who is an adolescent rescue Collie and a bundle of mischief!
He runs in person puppy socialisation and adult dog training classes that take place in venues across Northern Ireland as well as online and is a certified Mantrailing Instructor for the Ballyclare and Newtownabbey areas.
He is committed to animal welfare and wants to make sure what is offered is right for your dog and its development needs at the time.
In all the training he provides, he uses ‘Positive Reinforcement’ methods. This means that at Robin Bates Dog Training we don’t believe in harsh methods but want fun, easy training methods for the entire family.
Victoria Stilwell
Star of the hit TV series & social media sensation It’s Me or the Dog
Victoria Stilwell is a world-renowned dog trainer best known as the star of the international hit TV series and social media sensation It’s Me or the Dog as well as The Dog Academy (Channel 4), Greatest American Dog (CBS), Dogs Might Fly (Sky TV), Dogs with Extraordinary Jobs (Smithsonian Channel), Help My Dog is Out of Control (BBC One), and various featured web series including Arson Dogs, Guardians of the Night and Unsung Heroes. Having filmed over 150 episodes of It’s Me or the Dog since 2005, Stilwell reaches TV audiences with her philosophy of positive training methods in over 135 countries, while the show’s popular YouTube, Facebook and TikTok channels inspire new generations of dog lovers. A best-selling author of 5 books including her latest, The Ultimate Guide to Raising A Puppy, Stilwell appears frequently in the media and is widely recognized as a leader in the field of animal behavior.
A passionate advocate for positive dog training methods, Stilwell is the Editor-in-Chief of Positively.com, the founder of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior, and the CEO of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training – the world’s premier global network of positive dog trainers.
Stilwell is the recipient of multiple awards and is committed to helping the cause of animal rescue and rehabilitation and is heavily involved with organizations around the world to increase awareness of puppy mills, dogfighting, animal abuse, pet overpopulation, dog bite prevention and other animal-related causes, but she is best known as a champion for humane positive reinforcement dog training methods. She is an Ambassador for the RSPCA, International Ambassador for the Soi Dog Foundation and serves on the Advisory Boards of RedRover, The Georgia Pet Coalition, The Grey Muzzle Foundation, DogTV and Canine Assistants.
Dr. Dorothy Heffernan
Equine behavior consultant, Chartered Psychologist
Dorothy Heffernan, PhD was born and raised in Dublin in the Republic of Ireland, where she was a horse and pony mad child. She moved to Scotland to study psychology and took her love of all things equid with her. After graduating with a PhD from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, she chose to specialize in equine behavior and has been working as an equine behavior consultant for 18 years, helping people solve behavior challenges with their horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. Through her business Light Touch Equine (www.lighttouchequine.org) she offers in person support and training to people in Scotland who want to learn about new gentle and compassionate ways of working with their equid friends, as well as offering online coaching. Getting to meet and work with a variety of equids, big, small, long and short eared has been Dorothy’s dream all her life, and now she’s living that dream. Dorothy is a Chartered Psychologist registered with the British Psychological Society and is a World Bitless Society Endorsed Trainer.
Tracey Davis
ZingPop Social Media
Meet Tracey Lee Davis, the brains behind ZingPop Social Media, a company that helps small business owners become online marketing rock stars! As a social media expert and Certified Partner for Constant Contact, Tracey Lee coaches entrepreneurs on utilizing social media and provides comprehensive management for their email marketing campaigns. Tracey Lee is a popular speaker at associations and business groups. She’s collected some pretty cool titles, like one of the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s 2022 Silicon Valley Woman of Influence, Alignable’s Local Business Person of the Year for San Jose (2018-2024), and a Top 25 U.S. Business Mentor of 2021. Plus, she’s a Certified Content Marketing Strategist and the Co-Owner and Vice President of the Women’s Networking Alliance.
Tracey Lee’s expertise extends beyond the digital realm. She graduated with honors from the Academy for Dog Trainers and is a former CPDT-KA. This experience, as well as being a certified kennel operator and a member of the Pet Professional Guild, brings a unique perspective to her work. For nearly a decade, she successfully managed one of Silicon Valley’s most esteemed dog daycares, showcasing her exceptional leadership and organizational skills.
She also really, really loves cheese.
Debby Lucken
Founder of Kids Around Dogs® (KAD)
Debby Lucken is a fully qualified dog trainer with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers and a dog behaviourist with the International School of Canine Psychology. She is a member of the Pet Professional Network, ICAN International Companion Animal Network, INTODogs, the Pet Professional Guild, the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS), the Dog Training College and The Dog Welfare Alliance.
Debby has a decade of experience working with dogs, and she particularly enjoys assisting kids to teach and raise their dogs to be great family companions. Many of her clients are also great emotional assistance dogs in schools and nursing homes.
Debby is the founder of Kids Around Dogs® (KAD), which is an association of qualified professionals who specialise in working with families and schools to help children and dogs live in harmony together.
Debby is also an author and her book, ‘It Started With a Sit’ – the book to help expectant and new parents of kids and dogs – is available for purchase on Amazon worldwide.
Moreover, Debby has designed a successful protocol to overcome the fear of dogs in kids and adults, which all KAD Approved Professionals are qualified to use.
Debby’s work with KAD has been awarded the SBS Theo Paphitis Award in May 2022.
Debby is based in Poole, Dorset, with her husband, their daughter, their two doggies – Wilco the Pug and Winnie the Golden Retriever, and Mario the cat.
Dorset is where Debby runs her dog training and behavioural business under the name of Pocodogs, however, she delivers lessons and webinars globally (she is also bilingual, speaking English and Italian, which allows her to help more professionals and dog handlers around the world).
Melissa Taylor
CBCC-KA, CSB-C
Melissa Taylor, CBCC-KA, CSB-C is the Behavior and Training Manager at Friends For Life (FFL) Animal Shelter, a progressive animal welfare organization in Houston, Texas. At FFL, Melissa heads a comprehensive, animal-centered behavior program which includes in-house animal care, community outreach, and inter-shelter consultation. Melissa has logged more than twenty years in shelter animal behavior, starting with an internship at the ASPCA’s Animal Behavior Center in New York City. She developed a lasting love for cooperative care from training livestock and wildlife as the coordinator of the Behavior and Training Department at the Houston SPCA, and applies the same principles to the dogs, cats, exotics, and humans she works with now at Friends For Life.
Melissa is happiest when she has a chance to use data to create innovative projects to improve the lives of shelter animals and the people who care for them. For example, she started the Fraidy Cat Program to reliably shape and generalize prosocial behaviors in undersocialized cats. Melissa’s non-compulsive, choice-based training and behavior modification program is associated with a 67% drop in the number of long-stay dogs at Friends For Life.
Over the course of her career, Melissa has focused on the development of shelter programs related to animal behavior. She has partnered with other shelters locally and around the world to start behavior volunteer, fearful cat socialization, enrichment, and animal-centered staff training initiatives.
Melissa was awarded the 2022 Member of the Year Award by the Association For Professional Dog Trainers due to her work as co-chair of the APDT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee examining the experiences of BIPOC members of the professional dog training community. She is passionate about the role that social justice issues play in the advancement of animal welfare.
Sarah Forge
Miss Behaviour Dog Training Services, Sydney
I never thought that I’d want to become a dog trainer… which is a strange opening line for a bio to a trainers’ conference. I just wanted to help people to make good choices when it comes to dogs. Choices that ultimately impact on the health and welfare of all dogs everywhere. I didn’t choose the dog trainer life; the dog trainer life chose me.
It is worth noting that although I said I did not want to be a dog trainer here I am, 13 years into my canine behaviour journey with a nationally recognised Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services and my Miss Behaviour Dog Training Services business in Western Sydney. I’m always adding to my competencies with further study from the Karen Pryor Academy and International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants. Of course, I enjoy geeking out at every opportunity and attend annual conferences for the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and Pet Professional Guilds in Australia and America.
I provide canine behaviour consulting services for serious behavioural problems, as well as group training classes for puppies 2 to 12 months old and educational services on canines for other related companion animal stakeholders.
I really enjoy the challenge of preventing problems and shaping people to be the best pet dog guardian they can be. That’s why my main focus is on puppies in the 2 to 12-month age range. And trying to present fear free, force-free, choice-based training and cooperative care as sexier than the sit.
I believe that we are all stakeholders in animal welfare and that education, networking and taking a more collaborative approach to managing change is key. That is why I’ve also been involved in various volunteer positions for groups and clubs within the canine world.
Laurie Williams
BA, CCUI, FFC, CTDI
Laurie C Williams, BA CCUI FFC, has had a love of and connection with dogs from as far back as she can remember. She is the owner and Director of Training and Behavior Counseling at Pup ‘N Iron Canine Enrichment Center in Fredericksburg, VA. where she has been serving her community as a canine education specialist and dog behavior counselor for the past 15 years. She holds a B.A. from Norwich University in Montpelier, VT and was a member of the adjunct faculty of the Natural Sciences Department of Northern Virginia Community College for 7 years. Laurie is a nationally published writer with works appearing in the APDT Chronicle of the Dog, The Whole Dog Journal, Dog & Handler, 911, Essence, Fitness, and Good Housekeeping magazines. She is currently a member of the Board of Governors of the Dog Writer’s Association of America and is an AKC licensed ATT, Farm Dog, Fetch and Rally Obedience judge and Canine Good Citizen evaluator.
Dr. Jen Nesbitt-Hawes
BVSc (Hons), MVSt (Wild Med), MANZCVS (Vet Behaviour)
Dr. Jen graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science, and a strong interest in behaviour, from Sydney University in 2001. She started work in mixed practice in Queensland and completed the CVE Postgraduate course in Veterinary Behaviour in 2003.
Her veterinary career has led her around the world, including locum work in the United Kingdom, experience with game animals in South Africa, a Masters in Wildlife Medicine (studying orangutans in Sumatra) and back to small animal practice in Australia. Dr. Jen completed her Low Stress Handling certification during this time.
In 2013 she attended the Natural Encounters Contemporary Animal Training Workshop in Florida, USA. In 2014, Dr. Jen was accepted as a Member of the Behaviour Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Science by examination.
Dr. Jen’s experience running puppy classes and offering veterinary behaviour consultations led her to developing educational materials to help pets and their people. In 2016 she founded Pet Perspective, a business dedicated to supporting pet professionals by creating positive-reinforcement-based resources for their clients.
Dr. Jen lives near Sydney, Australia and is currently being intensively trained in the ways of small humans.
Tabitha Davies
CPDT-KA, ACDBC
Tabitha Davies is a dedicated dog trainer and behavior consultant who emphasizes humane, evidence-based methods to support dogs and their owners. Certified as a CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed) and ACDBC (Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant), Tabitha is committed to maintaining high standards in her work.
With a wealth of experience, Tabitha tailors her training programs to meet the individual needs of each dog and owner, creating safe, inclusive environments. Her approach is rooted in the latest scientific research, ensuring that her methods are both effective and compassionate.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Tabitha is also a mother of four children. She manages a licensed nonprofit farm sanctuary, demonstrating her commitment to sustainable practices, animal-assisted therapy, and community outreach. The sanctuary not only provides a haven for animals but also offers educational programs and therapeutic activities to the community.
Tabitha’s mentorship program through All Big Canines, LLC, helps aspiring dog trainers and behavior consultants gain the necessary skills and knowledge. The program combines theoretical learning with practical experience and emphasizes community outreach and support.
Her dedication extends beyond individual training sessions. Tabitha is actively involved in community education to prevent pet relinquishment and promote successful adoptions. She also advocates for improved regulations and practices within the dog training industry, always striving to enhance the lives of dogs and their owners.
Overall, Tabitha Davies is a humble and committed professional who works tirelessly to support and educate both dogs and their humans. Her passion for helping animals and understanding their needs drives her work, both in her professional life and through her nonprofit sanctuary.
Noa Szefler
Holistic Spirit Dog Training, LLC
Noa “Noy” Szefler has been a professional dog trainer since 1995. Early in her career she spent eight years with Canine Companions for Independence, where she was Northeast Regional Puppy Program Manager for several years, as well as an Assistance Dogs International certified Service Dog Instructor. In 2020 she became a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Noy is also a Reiki Master, natural healer and herbalist.
After leaving traditional training methods behind in 2007, Noy moved her family to Israel, where she founded an academy for dog behavior consultants and trainers called The Marker Training School. Noy was one of only three people in that country at that time to advocate and teach about science-based, reward-based training and behavior modification for dogs, and has helped dozens of trainers to “cross over” as well as getting over 300 trainers started in their careers through her academy.
Noy has been a professional member of the Pet Professional Guild since its first year and was interviewed by Nando Brown for the PPG Corner on the PPG Radio in July 2012. In 2014 Noy gave a TEDx Talk in Tel-Aviv, Israel about dog training and the dominance myth, called “What Every Person Can Learn From Dog Training”. In 2020 she created and began hosting the first Israeli podcast show about dogs, “Listening To Dogs”, which aired 41 episodes discussing dog behavior, training and natural care.
Noy’s favorite thing is teaching people – both dog owners and aspiring trainers and behavior consultants – how to train dogs kindly and effectively, and especially how to help dogs with issues of fear, anxiety and aggression, which are the focus of her business.
Noy incorporates her knowledge of herbalism, natural remedies and essential oils into her work with dogs with serious behavior and emotional issues; she vouches for the powerful effects that these gentle remedies can affect in animals when used correctly, especially under the principles of animal agency and choice in their own healing (applied zoopharmacognosy).
Today Noy owns a little homestead in central Virginia (USA) and runs Holistic Spirit Dog Training, LLC where she continues to help behaviorally challenged dogs and their families to live in harmony and joy. Noy shares her life and “free time” with her husband and their three kids, two dogs, three cats, too many chickens and several honeybee colonies, and is the Education Direction for the Ashland Beekeepers Association.
Sandra Grossmann
Owner of The Feline Consultant, LLC, B.S. of Food Science
I hold a B.S. of Food Science from the Technical University Berlin, and various master certifications from quality & product management programs and draw from 28 years of experience about ingredients and formulating pet diets, treats and supplements.
After leaving the corporate industry in 2019, I completed the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s (UIUC) Companion Animal Nutrition certification whilst also launching my cat consultation business.
In July 2021, I graduated from the Veterinary Assistant Program at Animal Behavior College (ABC) and I completed my Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) certification from The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) in June 2022.
Since December 2021 I am a certified feline training and behavior specialist with the Animal Behavior Institute (ABI), and I am a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), and The Pet Professional Guild (PPG).
Many health issues result in behavioral problems, many behavioral problems have their root cause in an undiagnosed health condition. Educating pet parents how to cope with these situations better is my main goal.
Don Hanson
PCBC-A, Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner
Don Hanson has loved dogs for as long as he can remember. Since 1995, he and his wife and a team of pet professionals have provided pet-friendly boarding, daycare, grooming, training classes, behavioral consultations, wholesome pet food, and quality supplies at Green Acres Kennel Shop in Bangor, Maine.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Don launched ForceFreePets.com, an educational resource that provides current and useful information for those seeking help with their dogs’ and cats’ care and training.
Don is actively involved in giving back to the pet professional community. He currently serves on the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) Board of Directors and Steering Committee and is the Chair of the PPG Advocacy Task Force and Shock-Free Coalition.
Furthermore, Don has presented workshops on pet behavior, dog training, pet nutrition, and Bach Flower Remedies in Canada, the Caribbean, Japan, and the US.
Shannon Riley
BA, RVT, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP
- Positive Reinforcement Certified Professional Dog Trainer,
- Registered Veterinary Technician,
- Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner,
- Best Selling Author of The Evolution of Dog Training,
- International Speaker
I am an internationally sought after speaker and bestselling author of The Evolution of Dog Training, and have been a pet lover all of my life and a dog trainer for over 30 years. I started teaching puppy classes in 1999 at Frontier Pet Clinic in Napa, CA and was trained by Ian Dunbar though his Sirius Dog Training Course. In 2010, I opened Ventura Pet Wellness & Dog Training Center in Ventura, CA. I have spent my life observing, caring for and training animals of all kinds!
I am also a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers , Pet Professional Guild and a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
I am a past President for the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians, a past Allied Industry Member of Arizona Veterinary Medical Association and sponsor of California Registered Veterinary Technician Association.
Continue reading here.
Sam Wike
CPDT-KA, VSPDT
I’m a former Army Sgt and retired police officer, explosives detection dog handler and unit NCO. My K9 Sanders and I retired in 2006 and transitioned into beginning a dog training career 3 months later. My journey began with the PetSmart Trainers program, moved to being a lead trainer at a well-respected local pet resort and started my company in 2010.
My K9 instructors were my earliest mentors, as I learned so much about dogs. My terrific mentor at PetSmart became my training partner at the pet resort. I had a long stint being involved in numerous projects with Best Friends Animal Society and those trainers were my most influential mentors, helping me dive deep into force-free, fear free, pain free, science-based training and behavior consulting. Along the way I became a Victoria Stilwell Positively Trainer, and all of these things eventually led me to PPG.
My business is primarily working with dogs who exhibit moderate to severe behavior challenges. When I get called, people and their dogs need help. The people are unsure, uncomfortable, afraid and in many cases are desperate. They’re looking for a teacher, a friend, a confidant, someone who won’t judge. These clients, and my own past experiences, have led me to investigating the importance of the use of words and their effects on both the animal and people. Many times, the less we speak, and how we speak, can mean we’ll accomplish more: the language of words can be a help as well as a hinderance.
Use your words wisely, understand the importance of silence, listen to what you’re being told. Have empathy, have fun, and possibly most important, don’t be such a human.
Tovah Lynn
Project Potential owner, aggression expert
Project Potential owner and aggression expert Tovah Lynn is a 2017 Honor’s graduate of Jean Donaldson’s Academy for Dog Trainers, the most highly regarded and rigorous school available for dog trainers. She is also a graduate of Pat Miller’s Reactive Rover workshop, has achieved Fear Free certification, and is a member of the Pet Professional Guild.
Expanding her knowledge base from animal behavior into human behavior, Tovah went on to complete transformational coaching and transformational facilitation courses led by Dr. Claire Zammit of the Institute for Women-Centered Coaching, graduating in 2022. Tovah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Spanish, and continues to pursue Spanish fluency. She is particularly interested in and actively studies cognitive development in dogs and humans as part of her commitment to helping pet owners solve behavior problems.
Laurie Schlossnagle
KPA CTP, CCUI, CSAT, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA
Laurie Schlossnagle KPA CTP, CCUI, CSAT, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA is a multi-certified dog training professional. Through her business, Side By Side Dog Training, she focuses on several specific areas of training including separation anxiety, reactivity, frustrated greeters, snake/wildlife avoidance, dog sports (Rally, Obedience, and Scent Work), and therapy dogs.
Laurie has been a certified trainer since 2002 when she acquired a wonderful little rescue beagle who loved to learn! Currently Laurie and her husband live in South Carolina with four dogs and a rabbit.
Judy Luther
Creator of Trust Centered Training™
Judy Luther is the creator of Trust Centered Training™, a program based on the latest research on canine cognition and how dogs function and learn. Her online course, called Trust Centered Training, has students from all over the world.
She is regarded with respect and is internationally known for her skill and knowledge as a behavior consultant and trainer. Based in Branson, Missouri, Judy has provided training services for over 25 years, helping pet parents with their dogs. Her skill and experience includes a variety of species, both domestic and exotic.
Judy’s experience is valued, as she brings knowledge and understanding through her very popular pet training business, Dog Star Training, where she teaches a wide range of dog-related classes, in addition to providing private training and consultation. She is a highly sought after speaker, evaluator, volunteer, and legal advisor, and is often a special guest on podcasts, training programs and online courses. She has provided animal talent for print advertising, film, motion pictures and stage entertainment. Her skill in gaining the trust of the animals she works with and understanding of the people she teaches guides them to a high level of success.
Judy teaches animals utilizing the latest scientific research, which led to the creation, development and implementation of Trust Centered Training™. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer, Graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy, Certified Canine Massage Therapist, a member of the Pet Professional Guild, and of the American Humane Educators Association.
In addition, Judy is the chair of the Pet Professional Guild Canine Division and sits on the Advocacy Division and Steering Committee of the Pet Professional Guild. She offers consulting to numerous shelters and rescue organizations across the country. Judy also works with schools to educate children how to prevent dog bites and how to be kind to their pets. She is also a mentor to students at the Animal Behavior College. Judy is a contributing writer for Pets and their People, Pets Best Insurance, Tame Magazine, Tails Magazine, Angie’s List, and Positively. She also co-hosts the Pet Professional Guild Chat and Chuckle podcast and Facebook Lives.
Prior to becoming a dog trainer, Judy is a graduate of The Broadcast Center in Clayton, Missouri and worked as on-air talent in radio and television in the St. Louis, Missouri market. She also wrote copy and provided voice-over talent for commercials. More recently Judy guested several times on the Flea Circus Radio Show, and guested on various news stations discussing pet topics.
Kimberly Palermo
CPDT-KA, CCUI
Kim Palermo CPDT-KA, CCUI specializes in the Control Unleashed program with private clients, teaches a high volume of in-person CU classes, and incorporates CU into all of her membership-style group pet dog classes for her dog training business, BlueDog, located north of Boston. In 2008 she began offering dog walking and soon grew and managed a large team of staff and introduced dog training services. She has been professionally training dogs for over 10 years, and has been training dogs personally for over 25 years. She has a fondness for helping dogs with big feelings, and uses compassion and kindness with every animal and human that she works with.
Kim’s passion is to help others pursue their dream of training dogs and she continues to expand her business in a way that supports growth, mentorship, and opportunity for her team. She is the teaching assistant for the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy CU classes, is a mentor for Control Unleashed certification program, as well as for the CATCH dog trainers program. She spoke in the most recent Control Unleashed conference and has taught CU at local dog sport workshops.
Kim has trained and competed in a number of dog sports including rally, obedience, nose work, agility, herding, tracking, and conformation. During her free time she enjoys hiking in the woods with her five dogs. She is an absolute animal nerd and in addition to her dogs, she has a clicker trained cat, a flock of chickens, ducks, guinea hens, and turkeys, is a beekeeper, and dreams about the day when she’ll have a herd of cows.
Debra Millikan
Professional Canine Behavior Consultant, Companion Animal End of Life Doula
Deb has been training dogs since 1976 and has seen great changes in the field during that time. In 2007, she joined Canine Behavioural School (a pet manners training school run by professional dog trainers but on a volunteer basis) and has overseen the growth and development of its Aspiring Instructor Program. This program has now gained credit transfer recognition for the Pet Professional Accreditation Board. She also teaches this course to aspiring instructors interstate.
She sits on the international boards of the Pet Professional Guild, Doggone Safe, the Pet Professional Accreditation Board and Pet Industry Advocacy International. Deb chaired the committee that established the international PPG Pet Dog Ambassador program and is also a faculty member of DogNostics Career Center and a Professional Member of the National Institute for Canine Ethics.
Deb has authored in peer-reviewed journals and is co-author of a book about regulating the pet training industry. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Pet Bereavement Counselling and has successfully completed Vermont University’s Companion Animal End of Life Doula certificate course.
She shares her life with two Brussels Griffons – Ned, and Laila. Both dogs have noseworks and trick titles and are embarking on canine parkour and stunt dog certifications. Deb, Ned and Laila also enjoy their weekly visits to a local hospital as part of the hospital’s pet therapy team.
Credentials
- Professional Canine Behavior Consultant
- Adv. Diploma Pet Bereavement Counselling
- Companion Animal End of Life Doula
- Dip Animal Behavior Science & Technology
- Dip Dog Training & Behavior Consulting
- Fear Free Certified Trainer
- Cert IV Training & Assessment
- Cert IV Dog Behavioural Training
- Certified Family Dog Mediator
Helen Motteram
Creator of the Pet Professional Network
I’ve loved and worked with animals all my life; from rescue work, travelling overseas to work with hundreds of rescue dogs, to helping my own dog, Sally, overcome her own fear of other dogs.
But it’s not only animals I’m passionate about; I’ve also always loved helping people, particularly kind, ambitious pet professionals and those who may feel a little bit lonely and overwhelmed in the world of self-employment!
With greater connections, comes greater confidence and the knowledge that we are stronger together.
With a background in counselling, animal behaviour mentoring and business coaching, I combined my skills and my love of animals to create a business support community known as the Pet Professional Network, alongside my own mentoring business: ‘Helen Motteram, the Distinctive Pet Business Coach’.
I know running a business can have it’s good and bad days, but we should never have to feel like we are always running solo.
A fun fact, my connections and networking has taken me to lots of weird and wonderful places and opened many doors, from my bird Russell Crow pooping on the This Morning sofa, to an incredible 3-day event in Ireland as an ambassador for Facebook…
Now here’s a little secret too, well not so much if you know me well! I do have my own struggles, mentally and physically, but with an incredible support network behind me I know that I’ve always got my cheerleaders to support me on my journey (and as cheesy as it sounds we are all on this journey together).
Kris Hale
CPDT-KA, founder & owner of Best in Dog, LLC
Kris Hale is a certified professional dog trainer, CPDT-KA, founder and owner of Best in Dog LLC in Marietta, GA, and a certified dog parkour instructor with IDPKA (International Dog Parkour Association).
She provides personalized training to her clients and their dogs, in which positive reinforcement and enrichment are the foundation.
As a former high school teacher with AP and IB Psychology teaching experience, she brings her instructional expertise and the science of psychology into her training when working with dogs and their people.
She has experience fostering and volunteering with shelters and rescues in metro Atlanta. She currently volunteers with Fulton County Animal Shelter, which is part of the Lifeline Animal Project. She offers support to fosters, volunteers, and staff.
Her areas of expertise include working with rescued dogs, specifically shy, fearful dogs, as well as overly excited adolescent dogs.
Kris also teaches parkour group classes, hosts webinars, and offers enrichment workshops in Metro Atlanta.
Melanie Canatella
B.S., Certified Fear Free Trainer, Certified Professional Bird Trainer (CPBT-KA)
View Bio
Melanie Canatella
B.S., Certified Fear Free Trainer, Certified Professional Bird Trainer (CPBT-KA)
Melanie Canatella, owner of Fluff and Feathers, has been professionally training animals using a science-based approach since 2015. Melanie prides herself on using aversive-free, force-free methods to training, relying on scientifically proven humane training methods for all her clients and their behaviors.
Fluff and Feathers works with all species of animals, specializing in exotics and undomesticated animals. Melanie started working professionally with avian species and companion dogs at rescues and with private clients. Soon, her passion for learning grew into other species like raptors, giraffes, wolves, baboons, lemurs, alligators, cassowaries, bears, tigers, and more. With continued success, Melanie went back to school to get multiple degrees in psychology and applied behavior analysis, and continue to grow herself as a trainer by becoming a Certified Fear-Free Trainer, and a Certified Professional Bird Trainer (CPBT-KA). Now, Melanie presents at major behavior conferences like AVOCET and ABMA, works at zoos, rescues, and still works with people who have companion animals.
Naomi Andrews
Clinical Animal Behaviourist, UK
Naomi is a Clinical Animal Behaviourist registered with the Animal and Behaviour Training Council, and a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors in the UK. With over 10 years of experience, she specialises in working with dogs with behaviour issues rooted in anxiety, including separation issues, handling issues, reactivity, noise fears and more.
Her hope is to help pet parents to move from purely goal oriented thinking to understanding their dog’s individual needs as a means of making “progress”. Another goal more recently has been to provide behavioural resources to the veterinary team so that more owners can be educated on the importance of dogs’ emotional health, as well as encouraging more emotional welfare centred veterinary care.
She has two dogs of her own with complex behavioural needs who aid in her professional and personal development! You can see them on Naomi’s YouTube videos where she demonstrates some behavioural strategies, and how to adapt exercises towards different needs.
Adrienne Wisok
MS, CVT, KPA-CTP
Born and raised in metro Detroit, Adrienne had always wanted to be a veterinarian. By 2000, Adrienne had been working as a veterinary assistant and attended the University of Michigan in a biochemistry undergraduate program. On a whim, she moved with her then-boyfriend and a group of friends to Portland, Oregon. In Portland, Adrienne started working for Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital and sat for her national vet tech exam, becoming a certified veterinary technician (CVT). It was here that Adrienne realized that everything she thought being a veterinarian was, from advocating for her patients to comforting family members, she already did as a technician and without the gajillion dollars in student loans. This is when she joined her first search and rescue (SAR) team, a move that would change the trajectory of her life.
Adrienne began training with Search One K9 in wilderness airscent search and rescue as a dog handler in 2000 and immediately fell in love with the partnership that developed between her and her dog. She went on to train with teams wherever she lived. Watching the dog she trained to love the search and find joy in finding people and then the wonderful games that ensued as a reward afterward were like the proverbial chicken soup for the soul.
The working dog bond was powerful, but it was difficult to watch so many dogs trained using harsh, coercive methods. So many SAR handlers didn’t want their dogs to be pet, loved, or played with because they “had a job” and couldn’t be distracted. She knew in her heart that this was wrong and there had to be a better way, so she was determined to find it. Not just for her and her dog, but for all the other working dogs and handlers.
Over the course of years of meeting trainers, training with different SAR groups, reading books, and eventually enrolling in the Karen Pryor academy for dog trainers, Adrienne found what she was looking for. The way to teach dogs anything and have it be fun for everyone. The way to see past the snarling, barking, lunging dog and find the sweet and scared soul beneath. In further pursuit of the working dog bond, Adrienne completed a master’s degree in service dog training from Bergin University and worked as a guide dog mobility instructor for Leader Dogs for the Blind. After graduation, Adrienne was the interim Dean for Bergin University and found a love for teaching other trainers. While completing her master’s degree, Adrienne became friends with David, a team lead from the Mexico City UNAM search and rescue team, and now her husband. She also became close friends with Rob Hewings, who went on to form the UK College of Scent Dogs. Adrienne was lucky enough to present on search and rescue at the first UKCSD conference.
Adrienne now loves taking the skills, methods, and tricks she learned from all of those working and service dog training programs and bringing them to bear upon our furry house companions. She continues to find joy in creating happy teams, increasing compassion towards dogs, and being a crazy cat lady with only one cat.
Michelle Martiya
Animal Training Coach, Certified Exotic Animal Trainer
Michelle Martiya is a professional animal training coach with a passion for understanding and connecting with fearful and feral equids. With over a decade of experience working with mustangs, zebras, mules, and donkeys, Michelle has honed her skills to become a respected expert in the field.
Animal Training Coach | Certified Exotic Animal Trainer | Equid Committee Chair
Michelle’s journey into the world of animal training began over ten years ago, driven by her innate curiosity and love for all animals. Her dedication to understanding equine behavior and psychology led her to specialize in working with fearful and feral equids, where she discovered a remarkable ability to earn their trust and cooperation.
As a certified exotic animal trainer, Michelle brings a unique blend of knowledge, patience, and empathy to her coaching sessions. She believes in building strong, positive relationships between animals and their caretakers, fostering an environment of trust and mutual respect.
With her unwavering dedication, boundless passion, and profound understanding of animal behavior, Michelle Martiya continues to inspire and empower both animals and humans alike on their journey toward mutual understanding and harmony.
Dr. Eduardo Fernandez
Senior Lecturer, Applied Animal Behaviour & Welfare, School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide
View Bio
Dr. Eduardo Fernandez
Senior Lecturer, Applied Animal Behaviour & Welfare, School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide
Eduardo J. Fernandez is a Senior Lecturer of Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare in the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Adelaide (Australia). He received his Ph.D. in Psychology (minors in Neuroscience and Animal Behavior) from Indiana University, where he worked with the Indianapolis and Cincinnati Zoo. He received his M.S. in Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas, where he founded the Organization for Reinforcement Contingencies with Animals (ORCA).
Most of his past and current work involves behavioral research applied to the welfare and training of zoo, aquarium, and companion animals. His past positions include a Visiting Professorship in the Psychology Department at Seattle Pacific University, a Visiting Professorship in the School of Behavior Analysis at the Florida Institute of Technology, an Affiliate Assistant Professorship in the Psychology Department at the University of Washington, a Research Fellowship with Woodland Park Zoo, and a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship. While working with UW and the Woodland Park Zoo, he started the Behavioral Enrichment Animal Research (BEAR) group, which conducted welfare research with many of the species and exhibits located throughout the zoo. He currently runs the Operant Welfare Lab (OWL), which is dedicated to the use of learning principles to improve the lives of animals. OWL is also part of the broader Animal Behaviour, Welfare, and Anthrozoology Lab (ABWAL; abwal.com). Many of Eduardo’s past publications, research projects, and presentations can be found on his ResearchGate profile:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eduardo_Fernandez18
Angelica Steinker
M.Ed., PCBC- A, CDBC, PDBT, CAP2
Angelica has over 20 years of dog training experience and specializes in: Aggression and anything that is difficult to train. She also has a passion for Agility, Rally Obedience, Scent Training, Dock Jumping, Lure Coursing and Disc Dog. Angelica has a Master’s degree in Education which enabled her to work as a professional mental health counselor. Angelica used her education as a foundation to establish extensive knowledge in dog behavior and operant and respondent conditioning, the science of how animals and people learn. Angelica has testified as an expert witness in dog bite cases. Angelica is faculty of DogNostics Career College which is an online dog trainer education school and also of behavior analytic dog trainer school Companion Animal Sciences Institute.
Angelica has written three books. The first one, Agility Success, was published by Clean Run Productions and addresses the handler of the of the agility team. Her second book, is called Click and Play Agility, describes the use of clicker training techniques to teach your dog agility behaviors. This book emphasizes play and bonding while training agility behaviors to the highest level. The third book was coauthored with Niki Tudge and Louise Stapleton-Frappell provides a dictionary of behavior related terms.
Angelica’s articles have been published in the Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior and the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, both peer reviewed journals. She has also been published in BARKS from the Guild, the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) Chronicle of the Dog, Dog & Handler, Animal Trainer Magazine, Dog Sport Magazine, Dalmatian Quarterly, and in Clean Run, the dog agility magazine.
Angelica Steinker is endorsed by the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals. She is also certified as a Dog Behavior Consultant through the Pet Professional Accreditation Board, and International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
Angelica shares her life with one Border collie, a papillon and Border-pap. Her dogs compete in Agility, Scent, Dock Jumping, Rally Obedience and Disc Dog. She has parented a hearing impaired dog and also a visually impaired dog, finding both to be amazing teachers.
She has presented seminars nationwide including at the famous Camp Gone to the Dogs in Vermont. She has also presented at BARK Agility Camp, and at Karen Pryor’s Clicker Expo. She has also presented on stimulus control and play at the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Annual Conference. Internationally she has presented internationally for the Pet Professional Guild in England. And had the privilege to present in Brazil and Portugal on dog aggression with a team of professional trainers including Alex Santos.
Angelica is interested in promoting humane training practices and increasing the dog and human bond. She has a special interest in dogs that are difficult to train.
Veronica Boutelle
MA Ed, CTC
Veronica is the founder of dogbiz. For over 20 years the dogbiz team’s singular focus has been to help +R dog trainers achieve business success and love their lives doing what they love. Since 2020 their favorite way to do so has been bringing like-minded trainers from all over the world together in their flagship group coaching program THRIVE!
Veronica is the author of several books, including How to Run a Dog Business: Putting Your Career Where Your Heart Is. She writes regular business columns for multiple industry journals, including the Pet Professional Guild’s BARKS magazine. A sought-after international conference and seminar speaker, Veronica loves any chance to help +R dog trainers around the world build their business skills and make a solid living helping more dogs. PPG Summits and online educational events are one of her favorite opportunities to do so.
Zuzanna (Zuzia) Kubica
CDBC, creator of CoeurCanin
Zuzanna (Zuzia) Kubica CDBC created CoeurCanin over 20 years ago and has never looked back, working in dog behaviour more than full time since. Creating free content in French and keeping canine education as affordable as possible has always been a major preoccupation. For ten years, her Formation CoeurCanin in Quebec, Canada has been graduating efficient and ethical trainers.
Zuzia is a well-liked speaker at seminars and webinars mostly in French, sometimes in English and Polish, since 2006. Renowned for the generosity of information dissemination and the care for the well-being of the dogs and their humans alike, she adjusts her talks to the general public, professional trainers, rescue teams or dog boarding/grooming facilities. She has been teaching musical canine freestyle since 2006, loving the beautiful bond that develops from it.
Born in Poland, and travelling between a few countries before finally immigrating to Montreal, Canada, Zuzia has spent a childhood befriending street dogs, feral cats, horses, squirrels, raccoons and any other creature possible. No one was very surprised when, after university, her career ‘went to the dogs’. She works with any dog behaviour situation from puppies to senior behaviour challenges, the crazy teenagers, aggression and anxiety cases, cooperation training for grooming and veterinary care, blind and/or deaf dogs, not normally raised individuals or just regular pooches needing a bit of training.
Her interest in always learning more grows with every case and she attends as many educational events as possible. Zuzia has a soft spot for past street/feral/free roaming dogs as well as the ones suffering from reactivity. She suspects being the only human who really truly enjoys the teenage stage of dogs! Zuzanna feels privileged to clicker train many different species for wildlife sanctuaries, farms, zoos and is always ready for an opportunity for a clicker conversation with any animal who opts in.
Zuzanna (Zuzia) has been a PPG member since its beginnings in 2012 and is a Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant at the IAABC. Locally, she is a former vice-president and co-founder of the RQIEC and the author of a complete memoire for the provincial government on the subject of protecting the public from dangerous dogs.
Zuzanna (Zuzia) shares currently her life with Mishtamek, a young Shiba Inu and her husband who is of great support with any project that has to do with animals. The family’s favorite free time is spent on nature road trips, canoe camping and wildlife watching.
Susan Claire
CPDT-KA, FFCP, Certified Puppy Behavior Consultant
Susan specializes in guiding individuals and families through the journey of raising a puppy, emphasizing the importance of building trust and a sound temperament.
Susan also specializes in extreme fear cases. Many owners feel helpless when faced with an extreme fear case and some rehome the dog or resort to extreme measures like boot camps. As a Fear-Free Certified Professional, Susan aims to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets by inspiring and educating those who care for them.
“I deeply believe that foster care providers are an overlooked resource, the missing link, so to speak. Emotional and behavioral care should and can be part of foster care.”
With 22 years of practice and continuing education, Susan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work. Starting in dog obedience in the show ring, crossing over to force-free, developing behavior programs for shelters and rescues, public speaking engagements, mentoring veterinary science students, and other trainers, Susan’s dedication to the welfare of dogs shines through in every aspect of her career. Her expertise has been recognized through numerous media appearances, including interviews on Channel 10 news, a decade-long column, and published articles in BARKS from the Guild.
Irith Bloom
CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, CSAT, KPA CTP, VSPDT, CBATI-KSA, FFCP (Trainer)
IRITH (“EE-REET”) BLOOM
CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, CSAT, KPA CTP, VSPDT, CBATI-KSA, FFCP (Trainer), VSDTA Faculty, DWA Faculty, Co-founder of the Freak’n Awesome Dog Project
Irith Bloom finds joy in helping people learn to teach animals (including human animals) with kindness. A biologist by training, Irith is fascinated by the science of learning. She is on the board of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), faculty at Victoria Stilwell Dog Training Academy, on the Advisory Board for Pets for Vets, on the Expert Review Board for Daily Paws, and Chair Emeritus of the Education Committee of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). She is a sought-after presenter, and her writing has been published in countless online outlets, as well as in print media, including her book “Your Puppy and You: A step-by-step guide to raising a freak’n awesome dog.”
Irith is an education junkie with a long list of letters after her name, most notably certified professional dog trainer and certified dog behavior consultant. She is also co-founder of the Freak’n Awesome Dog Project, which helps pet professionals build the businesses of their dreams.
Irith’s company, The Sophisticated Dog, LLC, provides both peer-to-peer and trainer-to-pet-family services worldwide through the magic of online meetings. Irith is between dogs at the moment, but shares her home with a well-behaved spouse.
Hannah Thiemann
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer
Hannah Thiemann is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant offering personalized training for dogs who can’t be left alone. With her online, evidence-based training program, she helps people around the world tackle separation anxiety and other separation-related behavior problems so they can live happier lives with the dogs they love. She lives with her wife and their two rescue dogs in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Malena DeMartini
Certified Trainer and Counselor, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
Malena DeMartini is renowned in the dog training world for her work on canine separation anxiety spanning more than two decades. Her books, Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs and Separation Anxiety in Dogs, Next Generation in Treatment Protocols and Practices, have helped countless numbers of dogs (and the people who love them). Her online course for guardians called Mission: POSSIBLE has proven to be an invaluable resource in the industry, and the success rate realized there is immeasurable.
In addition to writing and lecturing for a worldwide audience, Malena oversees a team of top separation anxiety trainers and runs an internationally accessible certification program for accomplished dog professionals looking to hone their skills. Malena is passionate about furthering education in this field through science-based methods. Resources about separation anxiety and support with training can be found at malenademartini.com.
Katie Gwilt
The Kat Lady, BSc (biochemistry & neurobiology)
I am passionate about cats and have been a holistic mobile cat groomer in the North West UK since 2020. As well as training in cat grooming, I am also trained in animal Reiki, animal healing, feline behaviour, zoopharmacognosy/advanced psycharomatica and am training in acupressure for small animals too.
I have been writing the Feline Focus column in Total Grooming magazine since March 2022 and have been featured in Your Cat magazine. I have been lucky to present about cats and botanicals for a number of organisations, including the Pet Professional Network, as a paid speaker.
I have a BSc in Biochemistry and Neurobiology but have always wanted to work with animals, cats especially. My ethics and ethos are very important to me where welfare always comes before everything else.
I have been lucky enough to work with not only cats but alpacas, dogs, tortoises, various birds, pigs, snakes and other reptiles, spiders, mice etc. This work has been on a behavioural basis, as well as sensory enrichment, and animal healing.
Tom Candy
Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist, UK
Tom is a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (UK) and a Certified Canine Behaviour Consultant and Certified Shelter Behaviour Specialist with the International association of Animal Behaviour Consultants.
A passion for animal welfare and training led Tom (he/him) to undertake a BSc (Hons) in Bio-veterinary science and a MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour from the University of Lincoln (UK). Having started volunteering in rescue at the age of 15, Tom has been involved in a variety of aspects of rescue including fundraising, home checking, transporting and general day to day operations.
Currently, Tom works as a Senior Training and Behaviour advisor with the UK’s largest canine welfare organisation, where he supports the training and behaviour teams across the southwest. Tom is responsible for supporting and advising managers and Training and Behaviour Advisors on matters relating to behavioural concerns and helping to promote higher levels of welfare for dogs. Tom also runs Simplifying Shelter Behaviour, a Facebook page and podcast about all things behaviour in the shelter and rescue environment.
Joey Lusvardi
Certified cat behavior consultant
Joey Lusvardi is an IAABC certified cat behavior consultant. He runs Class Act Cats, a cat behavior consultation business where he helps cat parents figure out the reason behind unwanted behaviors and repair their relationship with their cats. Joey also maintains a blog on cat behavior, training, and the human animal bond. He has a particular interest in addressing cat conflict, preventing behavior concerns through enrichment, and using training to build the bond between cats and their humans. He is based out of Minneapolis, MN where he lives with his feline overlords, Prozac and Poutine.
Natasha Attwood
Holistic dog behaviour consultant & trainer
Tasha is a holistic dog behaviour consultant and trainer who focuses on education for guardians and their dogs, focusing on collaborative based relationships for the individualised care for dogs as individuals, with a focus on healing trauma and relationships for bonding, care and understanding.
Tasha is also focused on helping people with their relationships with their dogs through holistic care, collaborative care and concept-based learning.
Tasha shares her life with their four dogs Diesel, Koda, Django and Zombie, taking the opportunity to publicly share their lives by creating tutorials for guardians from collaborative care for better welfare to games-based learning to enjoy bonding and understanding their dogs, subtly removing “obedience.”
Tasha is also the co-chair of the Pet Professional Guild Assistance Animal Division, member of the S.I.T.- INTODogs Social Inclusion Team, and a Do No Harm Dog Training group admin.
More can be found about Tasha at www.muttsnmischief.com
Gareth Dickinson
Certified dog trainer & UK Sniffer Dog scent work instructor
Forever home dog training is run by Gareth Dickinson whom is a certified dog trainer and UK Sniffer Dog scent work instructor. We provide training and behavioural support and services for all dogs.
Gareth is a former police officer, having spent 13 years in a uniformed role working on the front line, holds a degree in politics and law and is qualified to teach in the lifelong learning sector. In 2020 Gareth developed traits of depression that later led to compound PTSD, due to the continuous exposure of stressful incidents, and made the decision to leave the Police for the benefit of his mental health and to support his own family.
Gareth is the owner of three dogs, 8-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Lexi, whom is a rescue dog, 6-year-old German shepherd, Bear, and 16-month-old Labrador, Lyra.
Gareth developed his interest in dog training when he realised that Bear was a reactive dog and needed to know more about how to help his dog overcome the behaviour. The more he discovered and researched he saw the need to set up Forever Home Dog Training to support owners of reactive dogs.
Gareth is studying various subjects relating to dog training and behaviour and is looking to complete a level five qualification later in 2025.
Since establishing the business, Gareth now operates a large training venue where he holds group classes, 1-to-1 training and events and offers work experience to young people and those with special educational needs.
Gareth enjoys supporting people and encouraging dog owners to not put themselves under pressure and go at their own pace with training.
Gareth can be contacted through social media and email: [email protected]
Rev Liz Maitland
BA Hons, PGCE, KCAI (AD)
Wellbeing Dogs Training -Team Lead Dog Trainer, building a relationship on choice & control.
I am a force-free top dog trainer training dogs to use cues for new behaviours with praise and rewards (positive reinforcement). I started training dogs professionally in 2009 and have completed a ‘Principles of Dog Training and Behaviour’ OCN Level 3 Course with IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers) in April 2016. I attended a residential APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) Advanced Instructors Course (Level 4) in 2017 and passed the assessment to be a KCAI (Kennel Club Accredited Instructor) Level 5 in August 2018.
Being a trained and experienced teacher, with a PGCE, for over 15 years (1991- 2006), I have some knowledge of Pedagogy, Active Learning and a Safe Learning Environment. I trained in Competition Obedience and Rally Obedience and Clicker Training with IABTC. I have been a Kennel Club Accredited Instructor and Member (specialising in Assistance Dogs) since 30.06.14.
I was a founding member of RAD in July 2004 and Lead Dog Trainer, training dogs professionally with RECOVERY Assistance Dogs, for over 17 years. Wellbeing Dogs was set up in January 2021 specifically to train Assistance Dogs on a 1 to 1 basis for anyone with a disability.
Having experienced severe mental health problems myself, recovering in 1997 and being discharged by the psychiatric system, I have some knowledge about how dogs can help with this recovery. Also, I have noticed that following a spiritual path, being one with a power greater than yourself and practising some form of meditation, mindfulness or centering therapy can make a big difference in our life and wellbeing. Joining these two aspects together and becoming an ordained catholic priest in June 2022 has empowered me to help myself and others to live in shalom. This is essentially peace caused by learning from our animals (dogs and horses) how to live simple, uncomplicated lives full of stillness that enable us to be as well as do.
Wellbeing Dogs is an Assistance Dog Training Organisation that teaches dogs new behaviours that improve wellbeing and life.
Michelle Stern
Founder of Pooch Parenting
Michelle Stern, founder of Pooch Parenting, is a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA), dog behavior consultant, mom, and credentialed teacher. She specializes in helping parents balance the needs of their kids and dogs at all ages and stages, so that their whole family can live in harmony. She has two popular podcasts – the Pooch Parenting Podcast and the Parenting Kids and Dogs 101 limited series.
Michelle has been featured on NBC television and in print, has written for CNN, and has been a guest on over 20 podcasts and in several online educational summits.
Michelle offers online classes, private consults, a support club for parents with dogs, a coaching collective for other dog professionals, and educational materials to support successful dog placements in families with kids for shelters, rescues, and breeders. Learn more about Michelle and her services at: www.PoochParenting.net and @PoochParenting on FB/IG.
Ariel Baber
CTT-A, PCT-A
Ariel has worked with animals most of her life. She began training professionally in 2016 and pursued education and credentials from the start. In 2018, she earned the CTT-A and in 2019, she became one of the first 10 trainers in the US to earn the prestigious PCT-A. She has trained two service dogs of her own to assist her daily with her disabilities, such as alerting prior to the onset of symptoms, retrieving dropped items, locating and leading to an exit, deep pressure therapy, forward motion pulling, pressing door buttons, opening and closing drawers, and more. Her dogs have earned many titles in manners, tricks, animal acting, obedience, rally, and more. You can see them in action as her demo dogs in online courses and lessons!
Ariel also volunteers on the Assistance Animal Committee with PPG. Prior to becoming a dog trainer, she served in the US military and volunteered with her local fire and EMS departments. She now uses her passion for humane and ethical training to help people build a relationship with their dogs, whether to foster excellent companionship or build a service dog team.
Her other credentials include Certified Trick Dog Instructor, Canine Conditioning and Fitness Coach, Animal Actor Certified Evaluator, Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and Pet Dog Ambassador Instructor and Assessor.
Jenny Yasi
CPDT-KA, CCUI, FFCP (Trainer)
Jenny Ruth Yasi, BFA., CPDT-KA, CCUI, Fear Free Certified Professional (Trainer) CTDI hails from Freeport, Maine, and grew up with kitties and doggies sleeping in her bed. She used to get up to feed the rabbits, milk the goats and catch the dog before going to school.
Catching the dog was a problem. He chased and got hit by cars on multiple occasions, didn’t “come when called” nor walk nicely on a leash. That experience made her determined to study how to more effectively handle and teach animals and keep them and their handlers safer.
Jenny completed a self-designed degree in Behavior Science and Character Development in 1998 at Naropa College of Norwich University, which included studies with Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh and chicken camp teacher Terry Ryan, studies with a wide variety of trainers from Susan Garrett to Carolyn Scott, Attila Szkukalek and many others.
Jenny opened Whole Dog Camp after teaching at Petco for a few years, and since then she has taught private and group classes in Maine, traveled and trained several species of animals (horse, goats, bird, dogs) in Jamaica, the British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Puerto Rico and mainland USA. In 2017 she sailed 2500 miles with her dogs, bringing songs and dog tricks to Caribbean schools in a program titled, “How Animal Trainers make big problems little.” Over the past year, Jenny traveled around the USA, visiting fellow trainers and zookeepers, exploring strategies that seek to influence behavior by making small alterations in well-traveled environments, and bringing familiar environmental cues into novel situations.
Jenny began head halter training in 2004. She had trained hundreds of dogs and handlers to more safely leash walk their big strong dogs; reduce risks, frustration and discomfort, and improve safety in both handlers and dogs. Jenny’s first book about dog training, “Leading to Freedom: Head Halters to the Rescue” will be published soon.
Stephanie Zikmann
The Holistic Dog Groomer®
Holistic Grooming Specialist & Educator
Stephanie Zikmann is a multi-award-winning holistic dog groomer, certified canine behaviourist and dog trainer from Scotland.
She has authored three successful pet care books and is the founder of the internationally recognised distance-learning college, The Holistic Grooming Academy.
SIGNATURE TOPICS
- Low-Stress for Pet Professionals The Significance of Choice &
- Consent for Emotional Safety Self Care for Pet Professionals
- Dog Bite Prevention for Families with Children
- Running A Successful Pet Care Business
www.stephaniezikmann.com
Alexandra Santos
Professional canine behavior consultant & trainer
Alexandra Santos is a professional canine behavior consultant and trainer, with formal education through The Animal Care College in the U.K. where she graduated with honors for the Diploma of Advanced Canine Psychology, and through The Companion Animal Sciences Institute where she graduated with distinction for the Diploma of Advanced Dog Training.
She is the author of the books “Puppy Problems”, “Puppy Training: How to housetrain your puppy effectively”, “How to leash train your dog and enjoy walking him”, “O meu cão e eu”, “Cão educado, dono feliz” (published in Portugal), and has also authored and co-authored several scientific articles for the Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior and the International Institute for Applied Companion Animal Behavior.
Alexandra lives and works in Lisbon, Portugal, as a guest professor at Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias and provides online coaching, internationally, for dogs and their people. She has been a presenter at several seminars in Portugal and Brazil on positive reinforcement-based training as well as presenting webinars for the Pet Professional Guild in the USA and Edogtorial in Spain.
Cat Harbord
Dip. CBST, CDBC, FDM, DDT
Cat is the founder and head Behavior Geek at ImPAWSible Possible Inc. in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. With over 15 years of experience, Cat is passionate about mentoring, and working with dog guardians and rescue groups with complex behavior cases such as aggression, fear, trauma and reactivity through a unique systems thinking lens. Cat is actively involved in the training and risk assessment of therapy dogs. Cat holds a Diploma in Canine Behavior Sciences and Technology (Dip. CBST), is a Family Dog Mediator (FDM), a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) and a Dogma Dog Trainer (DDT.) Cat is also a Certified Trainer in Systems Thinking, Mapping, and Leadership through the Cabrera Research Lab at Cornell University.
When not working, Cat enjoys plant-based cooking, learning about anything and everything related to systems thinking and complexity, walks, and spending time with her rescue dog, Mouse.
Natalie Turton
FdSc, BSc (Hons), CDBC
Natalie is a seasoned Holistic Dog Behaviourist specialising in addressing reactivity and aggression issues across all breeds and rescues. With over eighteen years of experience and qualifications at levels five and six, along with professional accreditation at the highest level with the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants), Natalie has dedicated her career to helping dogs and their owners build harmonious relationships.
Based in the UK, Natalie offers her expertise online worldwide and in person to dog caregivers and professionals alike. Her journey into the field of dog behaviour began in 2007 having a deep-rooted passion for understanding canine behaviour and helping her first ever heart dog overcome the behavioural challenges associated with reactivity, a subject that has continued to be an obsession all this time later.
Throughout her career, Natalie has worked with thousands of dogs, including rescues, police dogs, and cases referred by veterinarians and other professionals. Her approach is rooted in applied neuroscience for affective behaviour, focusing on a holistic, force-free, coercion-free, positive-based methodology. Natalie believes in investigating and addressing behavioural issues at their root cause, delving into aspects such as sleep, nutrition, exercise, socialisation, and freedom from pain and discomfort. By prioritising the emotional well-being of companion dogs and their caregivers, she empowers them to navigate life’s challenges confidently together, overcoming behavioural issues.
Jane Gerard
KPA-CTP, IAABC-ADT, CPDT-KA
I am a professional animal trainer with over forty years of experience. I have trained dogs, horses, dolphins, sea lions, seals, birds, Llamas, Alpacas, cattle, sheep, and cats. I was born in London U.K. I have lived and worked extensively throughout Europe, Mexico, the Bahamas, and the USA.
My expertise comes from a multi-discipline education including Zoo and Animal Management (Cambridge Extension College 1989), Wildlife Conservation, (University of East London 1992), Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (2011), The Karen Pryor Academy (2018), Aggressive Dogs Master Course, 2022, (Michael Shikashio), IAABC-ADT 2023.
I have worked professionally training dogs for over twenty years in the USA.
I have extensive experience in managing large and small animal facilities. I have built three dog training and boarding facilities in the USA, with an emphasis on solving difficult behavioral issues using fencing to create enriching environments.
I am currently an active consultant with animal rescues, training staff to clicker train their cats and dogs. In 2015 I won an award with the University of North Alabama’s entrepreneurial competition, The Big Idea, for my training and fencing design ©Circle Training, which was published in the magazine Barks from The Guild, 2015.
My forte is resolving complex behavioral problems and working extensively with feral dogs. Using my ©Circle Training, I can reduce labor costs and provide a safe and fear-free environment, which is critical for dogs who are poorly socialized. ©Circle Training enables faster results as the dog can choose to either come or go, yet be safely contained. In the progressive world of dog training, providing choice is a key to success and aids in achieving overall success faster with permanent results.
Pat Miller
CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA
Pat Miller, author of The Power of Positive Dog Training (2001), and six other books on dog training and behavior (most recently, Beware of the Dog, on canine aggression), has worked professionally with animals her entire life. Miller was a regular contributor to The Whole Dog Journal from 1999 to 2024, The Bark, and Popular Dogs, and is past training editor of The Whole Dog Journal, and Co-editor/compiler of 2023 book: Veterinary Cooperative Care.
Miller worked at the Marin Humane Society in Novato, California from 1976 to 1996, first as a volunteer, then in customer service, as a Humane Officer, Customer Service Supervisor, Field Supervisor, and for the final ten years as Director of Operations. During this time she obtained an Associate Degree in Administration of Justice and a BS in Business Administration.
Miller moved to California’s Central Coast in 1996 (where Paul was Director of Operations at the Monterey SPCA). There she launched Peaceable Paws, and served on the Board of the Santa Cruz SPCA. She joined the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), was elected to the APDT Board and is past President of that organization. She is also a past Board member of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).
After a brief stint in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Pat and Paul moved to Fairplay, Maryland in 2004, where they live on an 80-acre farm with their three dogs, five cats, two horses, and a pot-bellied pig. Pat and Paul operate their dog-friendly training center and horse boarding facility there. Pat continues to offer group dog training classes, private behavior consults (her specialty is aggression), seminars and workshops worldwide, expert witness services for animal-related legal cases, and is Director of the Peaceable Paws Trainer Academies and Training Programs.
In May of 2015, Pat was named by Dog Fancy Magazine as one of 45 people who have changed the dog world, and in October of 2018 was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers in recognition of her numerous and significant contributions to the dog training and behavior profession.
Dr. Zazie Todd
Award-winning author
Zazie Todd, PhD brings trust, kindness, and cookies to the human-animal relationship. She is the award-winning author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. Her third book, Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog, will be published in October 2024. Todd is the creator of Companion Animal Psychology blog and has a column at Psychology Today. She has a PhD in Psychology, is an honours graduate of the prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers, and has an Advanced Certificate of Feline Behaviour (with Distinction) from International Cat Care. Originally from the UK, she lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, one dog, and one cat.
Tina B. Kristensen
VSA-CDT, CSAP-BC
Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant
Tina B. Kristensen is a highly respected and certified dog trainer, renowned for her compassionate approach to both dogs and humans. Holding certifications such as VSA-CDT from the Victoria Stilwell Academy and being a Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Behavior Consultant trained by Julie Naismith, Tina’s credentials are a testament to her dedication. She has also achieved her AIM Level 3 Diploma in Canine Care, Behaviour, and Welfare and is currently pursuing advanced behavior courses, including a Level 5 in behavior through the DoGenius institute.
Tina’s professional journey is complemented by her diverse experience across the UK, Denmark, and the US. In the US, she volunteered at a no-kill rescue where she not only walked and trained dogs but also served as an adoption counsellor, assessing and matching dogs to their perfect homes. Her dedication to animal welfare is evident through her memberships in The Pet Professional Network and the UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter.
Tina’s passion for dog training and behavior consultancy began after the loss of her previous dog, with whom she practiced IGP (obedience, tracking, protection) and Nosework. This profound loss led her to volunteer at a rescue, where she discovered her natural talent and passion for working with dogs. This experience set her on a path to becoming a professional dog trainer and behavior consultant.
Upon moving to England, Tina trained under a local trainer and eventually worked alongside them. She has since conducted group training, one-to-one sessions, and remote consultations.
In spring 2023, Tina launched her own business, primarily providing remote sessions focused on separation anxiety, reactivity, and other behavior issues. She has a keen interest in enrichment and providing dogs with outlets for their natural behaviors, which she has found to be effective in addressing hyperactivity, separation anxiety, and frustration-based behaviors.
Her specialties include:
- Separation Anxiety
- Enrichment and outlets for natural behaviors
- Adolescent Dogs
- Hyperactivity and reactivity
With a background as an educator in the Danish Army, Tina brings a unique perspective to her training philosophy, emphasising structure, consistency, and clear communication. Her goal is to help dogs and their owners build strong foundations for a harmonious relationship, making life together more enjoyable and fulfilling.
Tina’s training methods are humane and kind, centering on the welfare and wellbeing of the dog. Her approach is grounded in scientific principles and her belief in treating dogs as sentient beings.
Tina’s clients consistently praise her knowledge and approachable demeanor. One client noted, “Tina is a hugely knowledgeable dog professional – and is so easy to speak to. This doggie rearing is difficult stuff sometimes and Tina has really helped me understand life from my dog’s point of view. Tina has given lots of really practical ways to work with him so that he feels confident and clear about what it takes to live in a people world.”
For more information, visit www.tinashappyhounds.dk and follow her on Facebook at Tina’s Happy Hounds and Instagram at @sadieandtina.
Shelly Phillips
Fear Free Pet Professional, Peer mentor, Canine fitness coach
Shelly has been surrounded by animals and active in their training and rehabilitation since she was a child. She worked with rescue horses and owned her own horse farm for ten years.
In 2010 Shelly volunteered with a service dog organization and trained her own dog, Goose, to be a medical alert dog. Goose traveled from Washington, DC to the Florida Keys for four years, bringing awareness about PTS, TBI and other psychiatric disorders. The more talks Goose and Shelly did the more she realized how great the need was for qualified assistance dogs.
Shelly joined Atlas Assistance Dogs in 2018 in hopes of making a huge impact in the lives of people who wanted to train and certify their own dogs. One year later, she completed Atlas’ Trainer Academy and is a certified Atlas Assistance Dog Trainer.
Shelly is the instructor on several of Atlas’ courses, including Teams Set in Motion, a comprehensive foundation course for puppies and adolescent dogs and Dog Fitness.
Shelly is certified as a Fear Free Pet Professional, Peer Mentor and Canine Fitness Coach.
Joe Nutkins
CPCFT, KCAI (CD)
Joe Nutkins, CPCFT, KCAI (CD), shares her home with her husband Jon, Norwich Terriers Merlin (12 ½) and Ripley (6) and Romanian Rescue Havanese Pepper Potts (17 months) and her last two Norwich Terriers were Cassie (16 ½) and Taylor (13 ½ after a 7-month cancer battle).
Joe runs the Dog Training for Essex & Suffolk centre in Ardleigh, Essex which offers pet dog training and canine conditioning for all breeds and ages. Running the centre for over 16 years this year, Joe offers training in person plus a few years ago launched the online side of the training to compliment the face-to-face side. This allows customers to receive support and help with training in whatever way works best for them. In person and online training includes Senior Dog Classes, Canine Fitness Training, Scent Work, Tricks plus regular Dog Obedience and Puppy Training.
One of Joe’s main passions in dog training is Canine Fitness for all ages, plus working with senior dogs to help them stay mobile and strong for longer. As a Certified Canine Fitness Trainer, Joe loves working with dogs to help them lead a pain free life, return to their favourite activities after injury or illness and to help behaviours caused by dogs being in discomfort. Senior Dogs Training is a combination of physical exercise and brain stimulation, and Joe has not only put her advice into practice with her own Super Seniors but has also run Senior Dog Classes and the Senior Dog Progress Awards for over 6 years.
Golden Oldies have so much to offer and it’s a huge privilege to get to spend quality time with our older dogs!
Alexis Davison
KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, Cert IV Dog Behavioural Training
Alexis has been a professional dog trainer since 2001 and began developing Un-Chase!® in 2012 to help clients and students seeking solutions to their dogs’ chasing behaviours. Since then, she has helped countless dog lovers curb their dogs’ chasing behaviours and shared her innovative approach with dog training professionals all over the world.
Alexis is a Karen Pryor Academy faculty member, charged with teaching the KPA Dog Trainer Professional Program in Australia and New Zealand. In addition, she is a coach for KPA’s Dog Trainer Comprehensive course and a dog*biz business consultant.
Alexis regularly speaks at dog training conferences, seminars, and workshops sharing her experience and unique Un-Chase!® program with fellow dog training professionals.
Alexis is a nationally accredited Dog Behavioural Trainer with a Certificate IV in Dog Behavioural Training, a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP), and an internationally Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
Claire Staines
Lothlorien Dog Training Centre, Head Trainer
Claire Staines is a full member of the Pet Professional Guild British Isles, a former steering committee member of the Pet Professional Guild British Isles, a Victoria Stilwell Professional Dog Trainer and a Mentor & Faculty Advisor for the Victoria Stilwell Academy.
Claire is owned and educated by her love of Rhodesian Ridgebacks. An avid lover of the breed, she has been assisting in rehabilitation cases for Rhoddies who find themselves in a new home setting. She is currently loving learning from her now almost three-year-old RR, Venice, who she shows and works towards goals in the hope to compete in other dog sports.
Claire has been training professionally for over 20 years and is based in the beautiful town of Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland. She is the head trainer at Lothlorien Dog Training centre where she heads up her team of trainers.
Claire is vastly experienced and knowledgeable in all things dog. She has a great love of the mechanics of training, nailing it down to a fine art and has tremendous skill and ability when it comes to building behaviours. When working with a client, Claire sees things from a totally different angle to most and goes about working with problems in a creative manner that is fun for the dog and extremely successful for the guardian.
Claire is a huge believer in empowering the learner and her mantra is “the dog is the expert,” looking at how behaviour works from the dog’s perspective. Not only does she believe in a dog centred approach, she loves to look at how to make this work for the human… Tangible training!
Louise Stapleton-Frappell
B.A. Hons, PCT- A, PCBC-A, CAP3, CTDI, DN-FSG2, DN-CPCT, CWRI
Louise is a Partner and Faculty Member of DogNostics Career Center and Board Member of The Pet Professional Guild. Louise has constantly built on her knowledge and furthered her education in the field of force-free, rewards based, science-based pet training. The creator of the DogNostics’ Dog Trainer Certification Program, Louise has presented at conferences internationally and has gained a reputation for expertly teaching and training humans and canines at her own establishment, The DogSmith of Estepona, in Southern Spain, where she offers a wide range of both group and private classes and pet dog services.
Josh Boutelle
Digiwoof founder
Combining a background in graphic design with a 10+ year career owning a successful dog training business, Josh is uniquely positioned to help dog trainers and R+ pet care businesses put their best foot forward online.
With an emphasis on understanding your clientele’s feelings, thoughts, and needs, Josh’s approach is to create an experience for your potential clients that is not only educational, but designed to lead your future clients to take action.
Whether you’re starting from scratch and need help with branding, or you’re looking to fully automate your website & business, Josh & his team are ready to help you build the business of your dreams.
Celebrating Life Together
Celebrating Life Together. Your Virtual Recorded Conference
Feline Celebrating Life Together. Your Virtual Recorded Conference
Proceeds Benefit The Pet Training Science Alliance
