Education and Credentials
My Commitment to Learning
Professional licensure is not required to call yourself a dog trainer in the US. It’s important to know the credentials, certifications and education your trainer has. Here is a list of my credentials, education, certifications and continuing education. I’m happy to explain or clarify any of these and why they’re important.
My Credentials
- Bachelor of Science –The University of the State of New York at Stony Brook/Regents College
- Certificate in Training and Counseling, CTC with Honors – The Academy for Dog Trainers (under the mentorship of Jean Donaldson)
- CBCC-KA (Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed) – Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers (CCPDT) (only one of 400 worldwide)
- PCBC-A (Professional Canine Behavior Consultant) – Pet Professional Accreditation Board (only one of less than 25 worldwide)
- CSAT (Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer)
- Certificate of Completion Companion Animal End-of-Life Death Doula – University of Vermont
- Certificate of Completion Human End-of-Life Death Doula – International Doula Life Movement
- Fear Free Elite Certified Professional
- Certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator – CGC, Star Puppy, Community Canine and Urban CGC
- Family Paws Parent Educator
- The Family Dog Private Trainer (including all educational and bite prevention programs for schools)
- Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) Advocate Level 1
Transparency in Dog Training
Professional licensure is not required to call yourself a dog trainer in the US, so there are no legal or educational requirements to be a trainer. There is no consumer protection and no recourse if someone hurts or makes your dog’s problem worse. That’s why it is so important that while you’re searching for a trainer that you know who you will be entrusting your furry family member to. Ask questions and demand transparency. I vow to be completely transparent with my answers and methods, as I have nothing to hide.
Affiliations
- Pet Professional Guild (PPG) – full member
- National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) – full member
- Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement Professional (APBL) Professional Member
- Referral Trainer for Friendship Hospital for Animals
- Referral Trainer for Westchester SPCA
- Referral Trainer for Behavior Vets NYC – Westchester
- Referral Trainer for Delhi The Street Dog Foundation
- Referral Trainer for Yogi Street Dog Rescue
- Referral Trainer for Second Chance Rescue NYC
- Referral Trainer for Riverside Veterinary Care on Columbus
- Referral Trainer for No Place Like Home Mobile Vet
- Referral Trainer for Howard Beach Animal Hospital
- Referral Trainer for Franklin Avenue Animal Hospital
- Referral Trainer for Gotham Veterinary Center
- Referral Trainer for Bargersville Veterinary Hospital
- Foster and Referral Trainer for Onslow County Animal Shelter
- Certified Pet First Aid and CPR – American Safety and Health Institute
- AKC Evaluator
- Bright and Beautiful Evaluator
- Red Rover Emergency Responder
- Previous Bright and Beautiful Certified Therapy Dog team with my dog, BooBoo
- Previous Pet Professional Guild Shelter and Rescue Committee (inception member)
- Previous Staff Trainer for Animal Haven
- Previous Trainer for NJ Chapter of Pets for Vets
Continuing Education & Presentations
Presenter at Family Paws: What Is A Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula, How It Changed My Life Perspective and Why I Added It To My Behavior Practice
Painful Truths: How Canine Discomfort Influences Behavior – Dr. Lisa Radosta DACVB
Calm in the Chaos – Tackling Noise Phobia in Dogs & Cats – Dr. Lisa Radosta DACVB
Medicating Mindfully: Optimizing Choices in Veterinary Behavior Practice – Dr. Lisa Radosta DACVB
Understanding Personality in Dogs: The Joint Roles of Emotion and Arousal with Dr. K Spaulding
Presenter at The Virtual Dog Conference 2021: The Need for Transparency in Animal Sheltering and Rescue
Presenter at The Pet Professional Guild: Working With Jumpy, Mouthy Shelter Dogs: Implementing A Training Plan and Reviewing Mechanics
Presenter at Family Paws Parent Educators: All About Resource Guarding
The Emotional World of Dogs: New Insights into Behavior and Training with Dr. Daniel Mills
Fearful Dogs (Debbie Jacobs) seminar
Living and Learning with Animals with Dr. Susan Friedman, PhD.
AcademyFest seminar with Jean Donaldson at Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF)
Diploma in Personal Nutrition with Distinction – The Shaw Academy
How Mothers Matter: The Influence of Early Maternal Interaction on Offspring Behavior and Development
Update on the Science Behind CBD (Cannabidiol) Use for Pets
Dog Bite Prevention Week Webinar Summit
Fear Free Elite Certification Program
Fear Free Shelters Certification Graduate
Basics of Canine Nutrition
Understanding Medical Conditions and Pain
The Biology of Aggression (Dr. Tim Lewis)
Becoming An Ally To All
Creating Inclusive Content
Creating Inclusive Learning Experience
Nutritional Approach To Comorbidities
Behavior Dogs: How to Get Them Out Alive – Maddie’s Fund
Meeting the Needs of the Behaviorally Challenged Dogs in the Shelter – Maddie’s Fund
Consumer Protection and Transparency Is Key to Professionalizing the Pet Industry
What’s the Link Between Chronic Pain and Changes in Behavior? – Lap of Love, Dr. Sheilah Robertson
The Changing Landscape of Veterinary Osteoarthritis Navigating Established & New Therapies – Bryan Torres, DVM, PhD, DACVS
The Least Inhibitive, Functionally Effective (LIFE) Model: With Eduardo Fernandez Ph.d
Risk Assessment of Dogs with a History of Aggressive Behavior – Dr. Pachel DACVB
Joint Supplements- Top 5 Myths, Dr. Leilani Alvarez
Presenter at Animal Haven: Bringing Home Baby: Preparing Your Dog For Your Human Arrival
Presenter at World Dog Expo 2018: Socialization and Counterconditioning in a Shelter environment
Presenter at The Pawsitive Post: Conquering The Urban Jungle: A Case Study On Fear Of The Big City
Feline Destructive Scratching Solutions
Human Directed Feline Aggression
Infectious Diseases: What Trainers Need To Know
iCatCare: Getting to know your cat – An Introduction To Feline Behavior
Nailed It: Canine Nail Course
How To Muzzle Train Your Dog
Leave It For Leash Reactivity
Enrichment Framework for Behavior Modification Masterclass
Game Changer Meds: Trazodone, Gabapentin, Clonidine, & Benzodiazepines with Behavior Vets NYC
A New Framework for Diagnosing and Treating Separation-Related Disorders (Dr. Ariel Fagen DVM DACVB)
Canine Arthritis Management Advocate Level 1
How To Support Colleagues From Underrepresented Groups
Managing A Diverse Team
Unconscious Bias
Using Gender Inclusive Language
Driving Inclusion With Empathy
Social Justice: Cultivating Equity for All Dog Professionals
Overview of the LIFE Framework
Communicating Behavioral Euthanasia Decisions to Stakeholders- Maddie’s Fund
Finding Homes for Behavioral-Needs Dogs- Maddie’s Fund
Overview of the LIFE Framework
Resilience Conditioning for Shelter Dogs: Building Bounce Back for Life in the Real World – Behavior Vets NYC
Bark to Basics: Avoiding and Addressing Problem Behaviors through Meeting Their Fundamental Needs – Maddie’s Fund
Coaching Dog-Dog Interactions – Maddie’s Fund
The Anxiety Pendulum
S.A.F.E. Method for Managing Separation Anxiety
The Intersection of Nutrition and Rehabilitation for Orthopedic Patients
Stressless: How Supplements Can Transform Behavior – Dr. Radosta DACVB
Unleashing the Secrets of Canine Osteoarthritis: From Creaky Joints to Tail-Wagging Solutions – Dr. Mark Hope DVM