Animal Training Academy

Malena DeMartini, is a Certified Trainer and Counselor (CTC), and a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) – She is renowned in the dog training world for her work on canine separation anxiety over 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 that 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. For links visit here >>> https://atamember.com/2023/04/24/csat/

Nicole Pfaller-Sadovsky, PhD Bio As a long-time dog owner (since 1994) and a “Dog Trainer Certified According to Animal Welfare and Protection Legislation” (awarded by the Austrian Ministry of Health and the Messerli Research Institute, VetMed Vienna), Nicole founded her own dog training business in 2008, Happy-Fellow® Coaching & Seminars. Since then, she has worked with clients whose dogs display a wide range of problematic behaviours, such as fear-related behaviour, inter- and intraspecific aggression, or stereotypic behaviours. Additionally, to her work as a behaviourist, Nicole frequently teaches retrieving classes as a fun and stimulating activity for all dogs but also for dog-owner teams participating in retriever-specific competitions. Nicole holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Animal Behaviour from University of Portsmouth (UK) and a MSc degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Queen’s University Belfast (UK). In 2022, Nicole completed her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Behaviour Analysis at Queen’s University Belfast. Currently she conducts research on canine learning, human-dog interactions, and owner training from a behaviour-analytic perspective as a Visiting Scholar affiliated with Queen’s University Belfast. For links visit here >>> https://atamember.com/2023/04/10/nicole-pfaller-sadovsky-2/ 

Nicole Pfaller-Sadovsky, PhD Bio As a long-time dog owner (since 1994) and a “Dog Trainer Certified According to Animal Welfare and Protection Legislation” (awarded by the Austrian Ministry of Health and the Messerli Research Institute, VetMed Vienna), Nicole founded her own dog training business in 2008, Happy-Fellow® Coaching & Seminars. Since then, she has worked with clients whose dogs display a wide range of problematic behaviours, such as fear-related behaviour, inter- and intraspecific aggression, or stereotypic behaviours. Additionally, to her work as a behaviourist, Nicole frequently teaches retrieving classes as a fun and stimulating activity for all dogs but also for dog-owner teams participating in retriever-specific competitions. Nicole holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Animal Behaviour from University of Portsmouth (UK) and a MSc degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Queen’s University Belfast (UK). In 2022, Nicole completed her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Behaviour Analysis at Queen’s University Belfast. Currently she conducts research on canine learning, human-dog interactions, and owner training from a behaviour-analytic perspective as a Visiting Scholar affiliated with Queen’s University Belfast. For links, visit here >>>   

Matt Beisner (CPDT-KA, LFDM-T), is the founder of THE ZEN DOG, and host of “Dog: Impossible” on Disney+. Matt is dedicated to humanely helping dogs and their humans learn how to better connect with one another. He believes that there are "no bad dogs", and works to support positive behaviour change rather than rely on fear, force or commands for control. “What’s good for a dog is good for the world,” says Matt, who also serves as an ambassador of the Texas Humane Network. He and his wife Brooklin now live in Austin with their son, daughter, and family of once "impossible" dogs" For links visit here >>> https://atamember.com/2023/03/13/matt-beisner/

Mary earned her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in behaviour analysis from the University of North Texas. She consults with people and their pets, working mainly with dogs and horses. In addition, Mary teaches online courses for professional animal trainers and others interested in the science of behaviour through her company, Behavior Explorer.  Mary has taught classes at the University of North Texas as an adjunct instructor. Her interest in instructional design led her to convert an upper-level undergraduate class into a self-paced, mastery-based course using Dr Fred Keller’s Personalized System of Instruction.  In 2019, Mary and Dr Jesús Rosales-Ruiz published their first book, PORTL: The Portable Operant Research and Teaching Lab. Mary’s primary research interests include studying the process of shaping and developing better methods for teaching both people and animals. She is a full member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International and has presented her research at the organization’s annual convention.  Mary likes to share stories of her animal training adventures on her personal blog, StaleCheerios.com For all the links mentioned in the episode CLICK HERE >>> https://atamember.com/2023/03/06/mary-hunter-2/

Alexis Davison - Bio 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. Training Credentials 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.  Trainer Educator & Speaker 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 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.  For links visit here >>> https://atamember.com/2023/02/27/alexis-davison-2/

Alexis Davison - Bio 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. Training Credentials 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.  Trainer Educator & Speaker 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 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.  For links visit here >>> https://atamember.com/2023/02/13/alexis-davison/

Nicolette Canzoneri has a Masters of Science in Environmental Sciences, focusing on free-choice learning and behaviour change. Her thesis, Theory of Action for Pro-Environmental Behavior Change at Zoos and Aquariums, uncovered gaps in program design and implementation where zoos targeted conservation-focused behaviour change in their human zoo visitors. These gaps Nicolette discovered were common for many AZA-accredited institutions and served as the basis for creating her new venture EnvARK. Nicolette also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, as well as an Associate of Science in Exotic Animal Training & Management, Animal Behavior, and Wildlife Education. Her expertise includes behavioural science, social science research, informal learning, science communication, and behaviour-focused program design. For links CLICK HERE >>> https://atamember.com/2023/01/30/nicolette-canzoneri-2/

Bex and her family live on a small farm in beautiful Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. Under her business Positively Together, Bex teaches humans in NZ and around the world how to inspire behaviour change in their horses and dogs. In addition, Positively Together hosts classes where youth can experience the power of positive reinforcement and see learning and communication in action, as they work hands-on with friendly trained sheep, horses, chickens, dogs, cows, pigs and more.  Bex is a KPA Certified Training Partner and has been training animals with positive reinforcement for over 20 years, with a long-standing interest in clicker training for horses. However the youth programs and multi-species focus have been growing rapidly since 2018 and have become a special passion.  Positively Together offers “Junior Animal Trainer” classes, “PupStars” classes for kids and their dogs, and a series of very popular online Zoom classes for home-schoolers.  The flagship “Next Gen Trainers” membership for tweens and teens remains the heart project, with the monthly workshops and strong community providing a safe anchor for kids during the challenging teenage years. The focus for all the youth programs is on animal welfare and trainer skills, and the underlying values of compassion, consent, confidence, resilience and respect – for animals, and for humans.  Over the years the videos of these classes posted on Positively Together social media pages have prompted enthusiastic enquiries from trainers around the world wanting advice on how to design and launch similar programs. Bex has guided many people through this process one-on-one, but  as a firm believer that, as Dr Friedman says, “All of us are smarter than one of us”, a new idea was born.  Therefore, launching in 2023 is a BRAND NEW offering from Positively Together – “Shaping the Future”.  This is a coaching collective and community where those of us who are interested in teaching kids and animals can come together to share ideas and advice, gain support, get inspired, and ultimately get started with changing the world!  If you have a special interest in this field, in any capacity, we would love you to join us. For links visit >>> https://atamember.com/2023/01/16/bex-tasker-2/

When standing in front of a giraffe training partner, Amy is acutely aware of how lucky she is to have been surrounded by such amazing people and animals throughout her life.  All of those people have led her to her current role, which is the Senior Animal Behaviorist for the International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe.  The organization is run by the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and partners with Dr. Susan Friedman and The Behavior Works Team.  She's dabbled in field research, veterinary nursing, and zookeeping. While exploring all of the options of where she could best focus her time and energy to make a difference, she discovered the science of behavior change! ABA has changed how she's wors with both animals and people throughout the years. She enjoys coaching training sessions, running giraffe workshops, and continuing to learn from others. For links visit here >>> https://atamember.com/2023/01/02/amy-schliz-2/