Meet Our Team
Darris Cooper
Kierah Moore
Ayelet Berger
San Choi
Linda Randall DVM
Sarah Rodriguez
Meet Our Team
Dr. Wailani Sung is a Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist dedicated to improving the wellbeing of animals and strengthening the human–animal bond. Dr. Sung currently serves as Senior Director of Animal Admissions and Wellbeing at Joybound People and Pets in Walnut Creek, California. In this role, she oversees three key areas: the transfer of pets from municipal shelters, the assessment and management of the shelter’s behavior population, and the training classes and consultations provided to privately owned pets. She also advises animal shelters nationwide on individual case evaluations and the development of effective behavior programs.
An accomplished author and speaker, Dr. Sung is co-author of From Fearful to Fear Free (with Dr. Marty Becker, Dr. Lisa Radosta, and Mikkel Becker) and a contributing author to Decoding Your Cat. She has also written extensively for veterinary textbooks, including Feline Behavior and Welfare, Handbook of Feline Behavior, and Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff.
Dr. Sung has also been featured in the PBS NOVA documentary Cat Tales and the Netflix documentary Inside the Mind of a Cat.
Valli Parthasarathy, DVM, DACVB, is the owner of Synergy Veterinary Behavior, a veterinary behavior specialty practice in Portland, Oregon. She works with families whose dogs, cats, birds, horses, and other species display behavior concerns, focusing on strengthening the human–animal bond through improved understanding and evidence-based treatment.
Dr. Parthasarathy is a nationally and internationally invited speaker on topics including early recognition of behavior problems, multi-species behavior treatment, and reducing stress during veterinary care. She is one of the few veterinary behaviorists in the U.S. who treats birds, has spoken about avian behavior for the USDA and the Association of Avian Behavior, and developed a hands-on parrot behavior camp for veterinary behavior residents.
A passion for animal welfare, canine behaviour, has been the cornerstone of Tom’s (he/him) career, spanning over 15 years in shelter and rescue. This experience, alongside a drive to better support shelter animals, led Tom to found Simplifying Shelter Behaviour.
Tom began volunteering in rescue at the age of 15 and has since been involved in a wide range of shelter and rescue roles. This hands-on experience led him to complete a BSc (Hons) in Bioveterinary Science and an MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour at the University of Lincoln, UK.
After graduating, Tom worked with the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, supporting multiple rehoming centres before progressing to Senior Training and Behaviour Advisor. He now works as a Senior Clinical Animal Behaviourist Development Officer, focusing on upskilling staff and teams to reach their full potential.
Tom is a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (ABTC), a Certified Canine Behaviour Consultant and Shelter Behaviour Specialist (IAABC), and a faculty member and CBATI-KA with the Grisha Stewart Academy.
Tabitha Kucera is an Elite Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling Certified Registered Veterinary Technician, a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Behavior, a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, and a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner.
She is the founder of Chirrups and Chatter Cat and Dog Behavior Consulting and Training and Co-Founder of Small-Paws. An award-winning educator and international speaker, Tabitha lectures at regional, national, and international conferences, helping animal care professionals and pet caregivers deepen their understanding of animal behavior and strengthen the human-animal bond. She is a Fear Free Certified Speaker, a Fear Free Practice Certification Consultant, and the host of the podcast Tails from a Vet Tech.
In addition to working directly with clients, Tabitha consults with veterinary hospitals and animal shelters, focusing on education, implementation, and the development of practical training, behavior programs, and SOPs that improve animal welfare and team success. Her contributions have helped create comprehensive onboarding, training, and behavior resources for organizations across the industry.
Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D. is a professor emeritus in the Department of Psychology at Utah State University and the owner of Behavior Works Consulting, LLC. Susan has co-authored chapters on behavior change in five veterinary texts, and her popular articles have been translated into 17 languages. Susan teaches seminars and courses on animal learning online (How Behavior Works: Living & Learning with Animals), which has been attended by students from 64 countries so far. Susan consults with zoos and animal organizations around the world and teaches yearly for the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Animal Trainer Accreditation program. She was appointed to the Fish & Wildlife Service’s California Condor Recovery Team from 2002 – 2010, after which the team was retired due to the success of the birds in the wild. Currently, she is the Chairperson of the Scientific Advisory Committee of American Humane Association (AHA) Film and TV Unit. In 2022, Susan was honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
Mindy is a clinical assistant professor in the Animal Behavior Program at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI and instructor at Virginia Tech. She is a board-Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB).
In addition to teaching and consulting as a legal expert witness, Mindy engages in research on companion animal behavior. Her early studies
focused on interventions for mouthing behavior in dogs. Recent studies focused on developing and testing protocols simple enough to be performed by owners or other non-behavior professionals. For example, she recently trained owners and dogs to work cooperatively to clean the dog’s ears.
Current studies focus on the efficacy of devices to reduce reactivity in dogs, such as Calming Caps and window film, as well as training dogs to willingly enter crates. Her research has received several awards, including the Marian Breland-Bailey Award and Fear Free Award, as well as competitive funding from Fear Free. She received her PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan and MS in Behavior Analysis from Marquette University. She lives in Waunakee, WI.
Melissa, a lifelong equestrian and student of the horse, is a Certified Connection Training Coach, a Shawna Karrasch R+ Mastery Course – Santa Fe graduate, a Recognized Compassionate Equestrian member and facility owner, founder of Compassionate Horse Click and has been certified by American Riding Instructor’s Association in Dressage, Hunt Seat and Western Equitation for 25+ years.
She’s also a USDF Bronze medalist in Dressage and has many years of judging, coaching, riding and training experience in a variety of settings from working for and with Olympians to teaching in university settings and working as an independent trainer, clinician and coach (online and live). She’s immersed herself in the science and practice of horse behavior and
positive reinforcement studying with R+ behavioral specialists such as Ken Ramirez and Justine Harrison and speaking at International Equine Behavior events.
Lindsay Palmer is a social and behavioral scientist with a PhD in Psychology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. In her research program, she examines psychological mechanisms that impact human and animal relationships in her work. In particular, she is interested in the complexity of human behavior and social cognition in relationships with animals to inform interventions geared toward improving these relationships.
Laurie Lawless, CDBC is a nationally recognized expert in shelter dog behavior, with over 16 years of in behavior, sheltering, leadership, consulting, and animal cruelty response. Her career was sparked in 2008 when she rescued an 85‑lb Boxer named Charlie – his behavioral challenges launched her into the world of professional dog behavior work, and she’s been “blaming Charlie” ever since.
In 2023, Laurie founded Shelter Behavior Integrations to help shelter teams implement behavior-forward practices in ways that are accessible, practical, and deeply impactful. Her passion lies in finding calm within the daily chaos of sheltering by streamlining operations and positive outcomes while improving behavioral support for the animals.
Dr. Kristyn Vitale is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) and an internationally recognized expert in cat behavior. She is a researcher and educator in animal behavior, companion animal welfare, and human-animal interaction. Vitale received a Master of Environmental Science from Miami University (USA), where she studied free-ranging cat social behavior, and a Ph.D. in Animal Science from Oregon State University (USA), where she researched cat social cognition and human-animal interactions. She also served as a Visiting Research Fellow at Kyoto University (Japan) where she studied cross-cultural differences in the human-cat relationship. Vitale’s main area of expertise is focused on human-cat interactions, cat social behavior, and the impact of life experiences, such as cat training and socialization classes, on cat cognition. Her research has been internationally featured in media outlets such as Science and National Geographic, and in documentaries such as How the Cat Conquered the World (ARTE France) and Inside the Mind of a Cat (Netflix). She is the founder of Maueyes Cat Science and Education, an organization dedicated to enhancing cat welfare and strengthening the cat-human relationship through education, behavior consulting, and science outreach.
Dr. Spaulding has a PhD in biopsychology—the study of the biological basis of behavior—and is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. She is the author of The Stress Factor in Dogs: Unlocking Resiliency and Enhancing Well-Being. Dr. Spaulding teaches a variety of online courses and webinars on the science of behavior through her website, www.sciencemattersllc.com. She also co-teaches the Carefree Companion Certification with Irith Bloom and serves as Vice President for the IAABC Foundation.
Katenna Jones accidentally discovered her career as a shelter volunteer in the late 90s and soon went on to earn a master’s from Brown University where she studied animal behavior, learning and cognition. Since then, Katenna has provided cat and dog behavior support to pet owners as well as educational services to various pet organizations around the World. Katenna is a published author and contributes regularly to publications, podcasts, and more. She is an Associated Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Certified Cat and Dog Behavior Consultant, and Certified Fear Free Trainer. Katenna recently relocated to northern NY with her two cats and four chickens.
Dr. Julie Churchill is a Professor at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine–Nutrition. She completed dual residencies; internal medicine and clinical nutrition, and her PhD, at the UMN before joining the faculty.
A leader in small-animal clinical nutrition, Dr. Churchill prioritizes individualized nutrition supporting patients through every life stage and disease state. She serves on the Boards of the Pet Nutrition Alliance and the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention and is coauthor and champion of a global pet obesity initiative endorsed by 23 veterinary organizations.
An enthusiastic educator and mentor, Dr. Churchill is known for bringing practical, communication-focused strategies to both the classroom and the clinic. She is dedicated to helping veterinary teams integrate nutrition seamlessly into everyday practice and to strengthening client communication. She’s a strong advocate for the wellbeing and mental health of veterinary professionals. She has been recognized with the MVMA Outstanding Faculty Award (2022), the UMN Faculty Service Award (2023), and the Dvm360 Veterinary Hero Award (2025).
Dr. JoAnna Platzer is an animal trainer and Zoos, Exotics, and Companion Animals lecturer in the department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Vermont. She earned her PhD in the Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare lab at Virginia Tech under Dr. Erica Feuerbacher. Her research interests spanned several facets of behavioral and welfare and included studies with pet dogs, shelter animals, horses, and dairy cattle. Before that, she attended the University of Florida where she majored in Zoology with an emphasis on animal behavior. After graduation, she participated in research on site fidelity of Mockingbirds with the University of Florida, social behavior of Fairy-wrens with Cornell University, and comparative cognition of canines with Yale University. She has worked as a professional dog trainer for pet and shelter dogs and has trained various domestic and exotic animal species for enrichment and low-stress husbandry in zoos, conservancies, and sanctuaries.
Jessica Wheatcraft is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and professional dog trainer who has worked with thousands of dogs for over 18 years. She specializes in dog to dog leash reactivity cases, with an emphasis on understanding each dog as an individual and thinking outside of the box to implement the most effective and humane training solutions. She mentors other trainers via her Leash Reactivity Mentorship for Professionals and works with pet parents virtually from all over the world. She is the founder and host of the Rethinking Reactivity Podcast and is passionate about helping reactive dogs and their humans live better lives together.
Irith Bloom helps people create choice-rich environments that enable companion animals to live in greater harmony with humans and make the entire household happier. She is faculty at both Victoria Stilwell Dog Training Academy and Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, on the Board of Directors of the IAABC Foundation, a member of the Advisory Board for Pets for Vets, Chair Emeritus of the Education Committee of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), and a former CCPDT Board Member. She is a sought-after presenter, and her writing has been published many times, including in her book “Your Puppy and You: A step-by-step guide to raising a freak’n awesome dog.”
Along with Dr. Kristina Spaulding, Irith co-founded and is faculty at Carefree Companion, a program that teaches professionals how to foster greater stress resilience and better emotional regulation for clients with non-human animal companions. Irith’s company, The Sophisticated Dog, LLC, offers online services to pet training clients and fellow pet professionals worldwide.
Dr. Gabriel Lencioni is a veterinarian and PhD student in Animal Welfare at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ) of the University of São Paulo (USP). His passion for the study of animal behavior and welfare ignited during his college years, prompting him to actively engage in organizing seminars, symposiums, courses, and other educational activities on the topic. Under the guidance of Professor Adroaldo José Zanella, Gabriel had the privilege to develop scientific projects and interact with esteemed professionals in the field. His research focuses on various aspects of animal welfare, with a particular emphasis on assessing affective states in horses using artificial intelligence, learning theory, ethical training for solving unwanted behaviors, and fear-free methodologies for veterinary interventions.
Since 2014, Dr. Berger has been a licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst providing a variety of behavior change services to human clients. In 2020, she completed her Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis, and in 2021 published research on combined therapy interventions for health and behavior. Dr. Berger has worked in the field of psychology as a clinician for over a decade, and has served as a psychology professor for many years. Dr. Berger additionally completed her study of positive reinforcement training strategies at the Victoria Stilwell Academy and became a VSA certified and Fear Free certified dog trainer. She currently runs a training private practice and serves as Director of Research for the IAABC Foundation.
Erin Jones, PhD, is a scholar-practitioner in canine behaviour and ethics based in Aotearoa New Zealand. As founder of the Merit Dog Project, Erin helps organisations and practitioners design agency-centred approaches to education and care. She is a Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant (IAABC ADT, CDBC; CANZ-ABC) and is an international speaker.
Erin’s research and writing bridges scholarship and practice and focuses largely on ethical entanglements of the dog-human relaitonship, care ethics, and critical animal studies (CAS). She is the author of Constructing Canine Consent (CRC Press, 2024) and co-editor of Topics in Non/Human Coexistence (Lantern, 2025), as well as having three books currently under contract for release in 2026/7. She has also published several academic papers in ethics, behaviour/training and CAS.
Across consulting, teaching, and research, Erin’s focus is consistently on design for the dog, not around them, and building systems that protect welfare whilst honouring the value of the dog–human relationship.
Emily Lewis has 24 years of professional experience as a dog trainer, shelter behavior consultant and vet tech. She is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with the IAABC and operates Vermont Dog Behavior, LLC. She specializes in a wide variety of behavior issues, including human directed aggression. Due to the nature of the cases that she sees, Emily is often faced with families who have experienced trauma due to their dog’s behavior. She loves working with these clients to repair and improve their relationship with their dog, with an emphasis on meeting the needs at both ends of the leash.
Emily has been involved in animal welfare for the last 12 years. She works with shelters and rescue organizations to create and maintain their behavior programs. She strives to help shelter dogs have the best quality of life possible, to provide shelter staff with the training they need to keep themselves and the animals in their care safe, and to support the community with dog training and behavior resources.
Dr. Courtney L. Sexton is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and member of the Dog Aging Project research consortium. With a background in evolutionary biology and the human-dog relationship, her current canine science research centers One Health and One Welfare principles. As a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), Courtney focuses on guiding people toward intentional living and bond forming with dogs. Courtney is a member of AAAS, the Animal Behavior Society, and the International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ). She also serves as a member of the Communications and Community Building committee for ManyDogs Project. An accomplished writer, Courtney is passionate about scientific outreach and journalism, and often ropes her hound, Sonder, into helping out. As both a researcher and a communicator, she works with a diverse cadre of humans, animals, institutions, agencies, and organizations. She is a Virginia Tech Research & Innovation Scholar (2024), Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute Fellow (2022), AAAS Mass Media Fellow (2020), and DCCAH Arts & Humanities Fellow (2018; 2023; 2025; 2026).
Catja lives with a retired older cocker spaniel, who still loves to work, and a younger Australian Koolie, who is starting his first competitions. Since 2009, where she finished her instructors’ course via Canis academy, Catja has been working full-time with teaching on the topic of training, both online and at in-person workshops and at conferences. She is always on the path of continued education and curious to learn.
She has competed in the highest level of working trials, including obedience, tracking and search and rescue and has also been working with drug detection and rally obedience over the past years. But no matter if she works with working or family dogs, her focus is on developing the basic skills through clean training sessions and fluency in the trainers’ skills.
She is passionate about clean training, fluency, shaping, backchaining and giving the learner choice in the training. Practicing the basics and having great mechanical skills, is one of the things that will elevate your training to the next level, in her opinion. She believes that every dog handler can and should work with their dog, and that planning your session to be as clean and efficient as possible, will create more reinforcement opportunities for both learner and teacher.
Her first focus is to teach 80 different basic skills, that makes it possible to teach just about anything “advanced” later. Dividing all training into the smallest behaviors possible, before even thinking of adding the cue and setting the stage for clean training loops, is a high priority.
She uses shaping wherever it is possible, and always tries to have a clean, smooth session, with clear information for the dog while removing all background distractions.
Meeting the learner where they are and getting to be part of team growth is the most rewarding thing for her. Catja works with learners at all levels and also believes in continued education for everyone.
Amy Learn, VMD, DACVB is a board-certified specialist through American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.
Dr. Learn works closely with pet owners and referring veterinarians to diagnose and treat a wide range of behavior concerns, including anxiety disorders, aggression, fear-based behaviors, and compulsive conditions. Her approach emphasizes evidence-based medicine, compassionate care, and practical, individualized treatment plans that integrate behavior modification, environmental management, and medication when appropriate.
She is passionate about client education, reducing stigma around behavior problems, and strengthening the human–animal bond. Dr. Learn regularly lectures on veterinary behavior topics, has written book chapters and blog posts, and is committed to helping pets thrive both emotionally and physically.
Lawrence was born and raised in Washington, D.C. before relocating to NC to earn his bachelor’s degree in business management at North Carolina A&T State University. Upon graduating he was commissioned as an Army officer, where he served in duty stations in Arizona, Germany, and Iraq. While at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to recover from an illness during deployment, Lawrence became one of the first Servicemembers to complete the inaugural Dog Tags Program under the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA; then-called the Washington Humane Society).
Since leaving military service and completing Dog Tags, he has continued to further his education. In 2020, he earned his Master of Arts degree in Psychology, specializing in behavioral neuroscience and animal cognition. He is currently completing his doctoral dissertation, also on pet adoption decision- making, to earn his doctorate’s degree in Psychology, with the same specialization.
In 2023, he joined HRA as the Workforce Development Director, before becoming the Director of the Human Resource (HR) and the Learning & Development (L&D) Departments until August 2025. He also spends time coaching throwing field events at a local Virginia high school and caring for his recent adopted pups from HRA, Malle (pronounced “Molly”) and Patience.
Southwest Salad with Corn Salsa (Toppings on the side for dietary restriction options: Cheddar Jack Cheese / Pico de Gallo / Banana Pepper Rings / Chipotle Ranch / Cilantro Lime Dressing)
Soft Flour Tortillas
Soft Corn Tortillas (Vegan-Friendly)
Mexican Rice (Vegan-Friendly)
Seasoned Black Beans (Vegan-Friendly)
Cheese Enchiladas (Vegetarian-Friendly)
Shredded Cheddar Jack / Cotija / Guacamole / Freshly Made Salsa / Sour Cream / Shredded Lettuce
Grilled Vegetables (Vegan-Friendly)
Marinated Beef Fajitas with Sautéed Peppers and Onions
Grilled Chicken Fajitas with Sautéed Peppers and Onions
Bavarian Churros with Cinnamon Sugar / Fruit Cup
Freshly Baked Dinner Rolls and Butter
Freshly Brewed Coffee
Decaffeinated Coffee
Iced Tea
Assorted Hot Teas
Mixed Green and Romaine Salad (Toppings on the side for dietary restriction options: Grape Tomatoes / Diced Red Onion / Chopped Bacon / Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese / Grape Serrano Vinaigrette / Chipotle Ranch Dressing)
Grilled Vegetable Napoleon (Gluten-Free and Vegan-Friendly)
Green Chili Corn Bread
Denver Style Cole Slaw
BBQ Bone In Chicken with Golden BBQ Sauce
Sliced BBQ Beef Brisket with Sweet and Spicy BBQ
BBQ Baked Beans
Buttered Corn Cobettes with Lime and Cotija
Warm Peach Cobbler with Cinnamon Sugar and Cream / Fruit Cup
Freshly Baked Dinner Rolls and Butter
Freshly Brewed Coffee
Decaffeinated Coffee
Iced Tea
Assorted Hot Teas
Step away from the formal sessions and into something more personal.
Off the Record: Table Conversations is an intentionally intimate, small-group experience designed for real connection. Each table will be hosted by a conference educator, creating space for thoughtful dialogue, shared insights, and the kinds of conversations that don’t always happen at the podium.
There’s no set topic and no slides — just engaged professionals, honest discussion, and the opportunity to connect directly with leaders in the field in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
Ask the questions you didn’t get to ask. Explore ideas that sparked something for you. Share challenges, perspectives, or simply listen and learn from the collective experience at the table.
This is your chance to slow down, sit with colleagues, and be part of meaningful conversation in a supportive environment.
A catered lunch is included with your registration.
Space is limited to maintain an intimate atmosphere.
Lunch: Mexican Buffet
Tortilla soup
Chilled corn and black bean salad
Seared flank steak carne asada
Salsa verde chicken
Cheese stuffed peppers
Spanish rice
Tortilla chips, red salsa, green salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, and queso sauce
Churros with cajeta sauce (caramel)
Garlic Breadsticks and Herbed Focaccia Bread
Traditional Caesar Salad (Toppings on the side for dietary restriction options: Shaved Parmesan / Garlic & Herb Croutons / Caesar Dressing)
Pasta with Sauce (Gluten-Free and Vegan-Friendly)
Roasted Vegetables (Vegan-Friendly)
Baked Ziti / Fresh Mozzarella / Basil and Roasted Tomatoes
Italian Sausage / Sautéed Peppers & Onions / Marinara
Braised Chicken Cacciatore
Tiramisu / Chocolate Chip Cannoli / Fruit Cup
Freshly Baked Dinner Rolls and Butter
Freshly Brewed Coffee
Decaffeinated Coffee
Iced Tea
Assorted Hot Teas
Drop-in at your leisure to network with speakers, colleagues, and old friends round-table style!
Available from 7:00 am – 8:15 am:
Seasonal Sliced Fruit & Berries
Breakfast Potatoes
Oatmeal
Fluffy Scrambled Eggs
Thick Cut French Toast
Sliced Bananas & Strawberries
Warm Maple Syrup
Applewood Smoked Bacon
Orange Juice
Freshly Brewed Coffee
Decaffeinated Coffee
Assorted Hot Teas
Drop-in at your leisure to network with speakers, colleagues, and old friends round-table style!
Available from 7:00 am – 8:15 am:
Seasonal Sliced Fruit & Berries
Breakfast Potatoes
Oatmeal
Sliced Banana Bread & Assorted Muffins
Breakfast Burrito with Scrambled Eggs, Chorizo, Pepper Jack Cheese, Sautéed Peppers & Onions
Pork Green Chili
Orange Juice
Freshly Brewed Coffee
Decaffeinated Coffee
Assorted Hot Teas
Drop-in at your leisure to network with speakers, colleagues, and old friends round-table style!
Available from 6:30 am – 7:45 am:
Seasonal Sliced Fruit & Berries
Breakfast Potatoes
Oatmeal
Fluffy Scrambled Eggs with White Cheddar & Chives
Vanilla Bean Pancakes with Warm Maple Syrup
Sausage
Orange Juice
Freshly Brewed CoffeeDecaffeinated Coffee
Assorted Hot Teas
With 30 years of experience in veterinary medicine, Dr. C started from the ground up — cleaning cages and training therapy dogs at 16 — progressing through puppy classes, dog training, and veterinary school, including a veterinary behavior residency at Cornell. Her journey includes hands-on roles in sheltering, general, specialty, and feline-only practices, giving her a well-rounded, compassionate perspective on the behavioral challenges families face. Today, Dr. C’s boutique veterinary behavior service blends academic insights with practical solutions, creating a supportive space for families navigating pet behavior issues and professionals worldwide. Her service is a vibrant hub of consulting, international lectures, and media contributions, all dedicated to advancing animal behavior, public health, and sheltering knowledge.
Michelle Mullins CDBC, KPA CTP is the owner of Honest To Dog, LLC in Richmond, Virginia, USA and currently serves as the President of the IAABC Foundation Board of Directors. Michelle has been training dogs for 20 years and all of her work has the same objective – developing long, enriching relationships between pets and their people. In addition to her work in the pet product industry, she has worked with private clients for basic manners, puppy socialization, cooperative care training and through aggression issues. Michelle is passionate about a team approach, working closely with other trainers, certified behavior consultants and veterinary professionals.
In addition to her IAABC Certified Dog Behavior Consultant credential, she holds certificates as a Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Certified Training Partner (CTP), a Fear Free Certified Animal Trainer, TAGteach Level One Certified and has completed the Master Course – Aggression In Dogs.
Currently, Michelle focuses on providing educational content, presentations, and mentorships for pet professional organizations and as a guest speaker. She contributes to conferences, panels, podcasts, and consultations both on behavior cases and pet product development.
Lindsay Palmer is a social and behavioral scientist with a PhD in Psychology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. In her research program, she examines psychological mechanisms that impact human and animal relationships in her work. In particular, she is interested in the complexity of human behavior and social cognition in relationships with animals to inform interventions geared toward improving these relationships.
Melissa Deal is a life long equestrian and student of the horse, Certified Connection Coach, American Riding Instructor Association Certified since 1999 in Dressage, Hunt Seat and Western, and is a USDF Bronze Medalist in Dressage. Melissa has taught at multiple college/university equine programs. She’s the founder of Compassionate Horse Click, offering online courses, clinics and coaching both online and live. Melissa is emphatic that R+ has transformed her life in ways she never thought possible and is dedicated to sharing it with as many people as possible.
Melissa is often called “The Trainer’s Trainer” as she successfully coaches recreational horse owners and professionals alike. Her greatest accomplishment in the horse world is creating positive change and transforming the lives of horses and the people who love them.
Melissa helps equestrians create the relationships and results they can enjoy with the horses they love. Her way of kindly and dynamically transferring her knowledge of R+ horse training and relationship building methods is exhibited by hundreds of safe and happy horses and humans around the world!
Erin Jones is a writer, educator, and dog behaviour consultant. She has a BSc in psychology and anthropology, a MSc in anthrozoology, and a PhD in Human-Animal Studies. Additionally, she has a postgraduate diploma in animal welfare. Erin has been working both in behaviour/training and scholarly advocacy for decades and has a special research interest in the ethical dimension of the dog-human relationship.
Erin is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) and Accredited Dog Trainer (IAABC-ADT) with IAABC, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) with CCPDT, and Accredited Animal Behaviour Consultant (CANZ-ABC) with Companion Animals New Zealand. Erin is the IAABC Foundation Journal Director and teaches for the Foundation. Her writing projects include authoring Constructing Canine Consent (2024, CRC Press), Co-editing Exploring Topics in Non/Human Animal Coexistance (2025, Lanturn), and has two additional books under contract with CRC Press with a 2025 and 2026 production date, respectively. Other scholarly publications can be found on her website.
Erin is a Canadian living in Christchurch, New Zealand with her dog, Juno, and husband, Mike.
Lori Torrini is an animal behaviorist and trainer with experience in the care, rehabilitation, and training of animals across species. She holds a Master of Professional Studies in Animal Science and Behavior, a Bachelor of Science in Animal Health and Behavior, and an Associate of Applied Science in Zoo Keeping. Lori also earned a Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior from the University of Washington, an Animal Shelter Behavioral Management Certificate from the University of the Pacific and is a graduate of the AZA’s Animal Training Applications in Zoos and Aquariums course. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and a Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP) in Training, Veterinary, Equine, and Shelter. Lori is currently working on her PhD in Cognitive Psychology.
As the Director of Behavioral Husbandry at Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary, Lori focuses on low-stress management, cooperative care techniques, and choice-based interactions across species. She specializes in creating individualized care plans for animals with complex needs.
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 welfare 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.
Kierah Moore has been in the behavior realm for almost 10 years. It all started with a Chicago kid working on a farm for college credit. Upon receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences, she eventually made her way to a large pet retailer where she trained dogs, trainers, and made an impact on pet parents’ lives every day.
Kierah finds deep purpose in being part of the IAABC Foundation’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team, a passion that has slowly become her northern light over the years, empowering her to be the change that she wants to see in the world.
Dr. Learn grew up outside Philadelphia, PA and attended veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Learn remained in general practice for 20 years before becoming a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and the Chief of Clinical Behavioral Medicine at the Animal Behavior Wellness Center in Richmond VA.
Dr. Learn lectures across the country and has contributed to veterinary textbooks, journal articles, blogs and received the prestigious RK Anderson Resident Achievement Award from the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists for outstanding research in the field of applied animal behavior.
Dr. Gabriel Lencioni graduated as a Veterinarian and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in the field of animal behavior and welfare at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. His research primarily explores the application of artificial intelligence to identify pertinent indicators associated with affective states in horses.
Gabriel is a Certified Equine Behavior Consultant (CEBC) with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and a Fear Free Elite Professional for dogs, cats, and horses.
His professional journey spans veterinary behavior consulting, educating, and training, reflecting his commitment to advancing animal well-being.
Cheryl Kolus is a veterinarian with a special interest in behavior and is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. She also holds Fear Free Elite and Low Stress Handling – Silver certifications.
Although Cheryl currently works in the pharmaceutical industry, she stays current on animal behavior topics and enjoys helping others learn about their pets. She previously had her own behavior consulting business and worked as the behavior center manager for a northern Colorado cat rescue, where she not only directly helped shelter cats with behavioral challenges but also pet owners in the community by providing in-home consultations and pet behavior seminars. While at the rescue, Cheryl was involved in research on clicker training cats and is passionate about sharing this knowledge with others.
Cheryl was previously on the Executive Board of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, and she remains an active member of that group as well as the IAABC. She is now excited to be pursuing a veterinary residency in animal welfare.
Rick Hester is the Curator of Behavioral Husbandry for the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado. He oversees all of the zoo’s behavior programming. His work includes the zoo’s animal training for husbandry, medical, and public show behaviors, environmental enrichment, developing programs to improve problem behavior situations, the zoo’s formal animal welfare assessments, and exhibit design for behavior goals. Rick has worked at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo since 2006. He spent 10 years working as an animal keeper caring for a wide variety of species, including small primates, great apes, penguins, African lions, and bears. In 2013, he started working with Dr. Susan Friedman and began to understand the importance of behavior analysis and its application for animals in human care. He has curated the zoo’s behavior programs since 2016, is adjunct faculty at Colorado State University in the Department of Biology and a consultant and course co-instructor for Susan Friedman’s Behavior Works LLC.
Dr. Spaulding has a PhD in biopsychology—the study of the biological basis of behavior—and is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. She is the author of The Stress Factor in Dogs: Unlocking Resiliency and Enhancing Well-Being, and she teaches a variety of online courses and webinars on the science of behavior through her website.
Kristina runs the Carefree Companion Certification with Irith Bloom and teaches for IAABC Foundation and Virginia Tech’s Animal Behavior and Welfare program. She currently serves as Vice President of the IAABC Foundation Board of Directors.
Catja Pedersen lives with 2 Australian Koolies that develop her skills every day. Since 2009, when she finished her instructors’ course via Canis clicker training academy, Catja has been working full-time with teaching on the topic of training, both online and at in-person workshops and at conferences. She is always on the path of continued education and curious to learn.
Catja has competed in the highest level of working trials, including obedience, tracking, and search and rescue and has also been working with drug detection dogs over the past years. But, no matter if she works with working dogs or family dogs, her focus is on developing the basic skills through clean training sessions and fluency in the trainer’s skills. She is passionate about clean training, fluency, shaping, back chaining and giving the learner choice in sessions.
Meeting the learner where they are and getting to be a part of the process where the team grows together is the most rewarding thing for her. Catja works with learners on all levels, and believes in continued education, for everyone.
Kiki Yablon is a dog trainer and educator based in Chicago, Illinois, where she lives with her husband and their dog, Finn. In addition to her animal behavior certifications, Kiki holds a master’s degree in applied behavioral science. She works with pet guardians through her training business, Kiki Yablon Dog Training, and teaches fellow professionals as faculty for the Karen Pryor Academy and a co-instructor for Susan Friedman’s BehaviorWorks.
Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Certified Cat Behavior Consultant who has been working with cats professionally for almost 25 years. She worked as a cat behavior specialist at the San Francisco SPCA for eight years before co-founding Feline Minds, where she offers assistance for cat owners, animal shelters, and corporations.
Mikel completed her PhD in animal behavior and cognition at UC Berkeley, and was a postdoc at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, where she researched the social and feeding behaviors of cats, and the health and behavior of orphaned neonatal kittens. She is the author of the book “Play with Your Cat!” (2024, Tarcher/Perigee) and co-authored the 2017 book “Total Cat Mojo,” with Jackson Galaxy.
Mikel lives in Sacramento, CA with her boyfriend and their three cats: Ruby, Coriander, and Professor Scribbles.
Dr. Wailani Sung is a Board-certified veterinary behaviorist. Dr. Sung is currently the Senior Director of Animal Admissions and Wellbeing. She provides behavior consultations for privately owned pets and behavior assessments for shelter pets. She also provides consultations to animal shelters regarding individual shelter pets and evaluations on animal shelter programs.
Dr. Sung is a co-author of the book, “From Fearful to Fear Free”, along with veterinarians Dr. Marty Becker, Dr. Lisa Radosta, and renowned trainer, Mikkel Becker. She also co-authored a chapter in “Decoding your Cat”. Dr. Sung has been a contributor to the websites, PetCoach, PetMD and Reader’s Digest. She has written chapters for the following veterinary textbooks: Behavior of Exotic Pets; Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Canine and Feline Behavior, 2nd Edition; Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline: 7th edition; Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarian and Staff, 2nd edition; Clinical Handbook of Feline Behavior Medicine. Dr. Sung was interviewed on the documentary, Cat Tales by NOVA and on the Netflix documentary, Inside the Mind of a Cat.
Dilara Göksel Parry was raised in Istanbul, Turkey and holds degrees in Psychology and in Comparative Literature from Oberlin College. She has worked in the animal welfare field for the majority of her professional life, including 12 years as the Cat Behavior Coordinator at the San Francisco SPCA. In 2008, she co-founded Feline Minds with Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado, where they focus on private consultations to help cat guardians live harmoniously with their cats and consult with animal welfare organizations with an emphasis on improving cat sheltering practices. In addition to staying busy with Feline Minds, Dilara works part-time at Cat Town Oakland, an innovative, cage-free rescue for cats deemed unadoptable in traditional shelter settings.
Dilara is a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant. She enjoys writing educational material to “translate” cats for humans, and has been interviewed by MSNBC, Animal Sheltering, thedodo.com, PetMD and Chewy, as well as written for the Bay Woof Foundation and Maddie’s Fund. She shares her life in Richmond, CA with her family of humans, cats, dogs, and chickens.
Dr. Lore Haug graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. She completed a rotating Internship at Louisiana State University. Later, she did a residency in Veterinary Behavioral Medicine at TAMUI and became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in 2003. After leaving a faculty position at TAMU in 2007, she sees referral behavior cases in the Houston area at Texas Veterinary Behavior Services.
Dr. Haug is a past president of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant through IAABC.
She is a frequent speaker at veterinary and animal behavior conferences. She has a particular interest in neurobiology, learning and behavior modification.
Lawrence was born and raised in Southeast Washington, D.C. before relocating to earn his bachelor’s degree in business management at North Carolina A&T State University. Upon graduating, he was commissioned as an Army officer. While at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to recover from an illness during deployment, Lawrence became one of the first Servicemembers to complete the inaugural Dog Tags Program under HRA.
Since leaving military service, Lawrence has continued to further his education. In 2020, he earned his Master of Arts degree in Psychology, specializing in behavioral neuroscience and animal cognition. In November 2022, his research into dog adoption decisions at animal shelters was published by the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science.
He is concurrently working to complete his doctoral dissertation, also on pet adoption decision-making, to earn his doctorate’s degree in Psychology, with the same specialization and serving as the Director of the Human Resources and the Learning & Development Departments with the Humane Rescue Alliance.
Zenithson Ng is a clinical associate professor of small animal primary care at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and associate director of human-animal interaction research for the Center for Veterinary Social Work. He received his DVM from Cornell University; then completed an internship at the ASPCA, and an ABVP canine/feline residency combined with a master’s degree in human-animal bond studies at Virginia Tech. His research and teaching interests span all aspects of the human-animal bond, including the effect of human-animal interaction on welfare and wellbeing of therapy and working animals.
Jeff Burgdorf is the Head of Research at Gate Neurosciences. He also serves as the Associate Director of the Falk Center for Molecular Therapeutics at Northwestern University and a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. Dr. Burgdorf brings over 20 years of experience and an extensive history of publications and early research across neuroscience discovery, pharmacology, and translational biomarker work, especially in affective disorders. Alongside Dr. Joe Moskal, Jeff is known for extensive contributions in the field of NMDA receptor mechanisms and behavioral pharmacology related to multiple NMDAR modulator compounds currently in clinical development. Recently, Jeff has pioneered research in the Insulin Growth Factor field and discovery and development of the GATE-300 series at Gate Neurosciences.
Dr. Burgdorf received his PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience and BS in Psychology at Bowling Green State University.
Certified as an Equine Behavior Consultant by the IAABC and serving on their Application Review Committee, Trudi is also an Accredited Animal Behaviourist with the ABTC. She offers consultations and lessons, and hosts training clinics, workshops, talks, lectures, webinars, and courses, both in-person and online.
Trudi teaches a certified equine trainer course with a focus on positive reinforcement-based methods. She also shares her knowledge through her podcast, Lead a Horse to Water, as well as contributions to industry magazines and the IAABC Foundation Journal.
Adele Shaw is a certified equine behavior consultant and horsemanship mentor in central Texas. From a young age, she has had a passion for understanding the “why” behind behavior and a deep desire to help horses and people have a better relationship. This later led to becoming a behavior consultant, coaching equine caregivers, and mentoring equine professionals around the world in ways to work with horses that are accessible, supportive, honor the horse, and are ethically minded.
With a focus on a whole horse approach to caring for and supporting both horses and humans, Adele’s coaching and training centers around a positive reinforced-focused approach. She’s passionate about giving back to the community by making information accessible and approachable through her podcast, many social media platforms, blogging, and guest speaking.
OFFSITE EVENTS: If you are attending an offsite event, you will register at the event site when you arrive.
All other registrations will be processed at the Registration Desk (outside Heritage E) which will be open during the following hours (Mountain Daylight Time):
Dr. Lucia Lazarowski is a Research Assistant Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University, and Chief Behavioral Scientist with Auburn’s Canine Performance Sciences program. She holds a PhD in Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences from Auburn University and is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) through the Animal Behavior Society. She has been working in the field of animal behavior and cognition research for over 15 years, primarily focusing on improving the selection, training, performance, and welfare of detection dogs. In addition to research, Dr. Lazarowski teaches courses in behavioral psychology and veterinary ethology at Auburn University.
Dr. Erin Hecht received a B.S. in Cognitive Science from the University of California San Diego in 2006 and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Emory University in 2013. She then held positions as a Research Scientist in the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience at Georgia State University and an Affiliated Scientist at the Emory National Primate Research Center. She is now an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, where she directs the Canine Brains Project and teaches a hands-on course on canine behavior analysis.
Dr. Hecht is the recipient of a Sloan Research Fellowship in Neuroscience and an NSF CAREER Award, both of which fund the Canine Brains Project. She is also an Associate Editor of Brain Structure and Function, a scientific journal that publishes neuroscience research in many species, including dogs. Her research focuses on neuroanatomical specializations in dogs, primates, and humans. Her own dog, Izzy, is 20 pounds of pure unfiltered sass and a contributor to many of Erin’s classroom and laboratory endeavors.
Catja Pedersen (she/her) lives with a retired older cocker spaniel, who still loves to work, and a younger Australian Koolie, who is starting his first competitions.
Since 2009, when she finished her instructors’ course via Canis academy, Catja has been working full-time teaching on the topic of training, both online and at in-person workshops and conferences.
Catja has competed in the highest level of working trials, including obedience, tracking, and search and rescue and has also been working with drug detection and rally obedience over the years. But no matter the topic, her focus is on developing the basic skills through clean training sessions and fluency in the trainer’s skills. She is passionate about clean training, fluency, shaping, backchaining and giving the learner choice in training.
Practicing the basics and having great mechanical skills is one of the things that will elevate your training to the next level, in her opinion. She believes that every dog handler can and should work with their dog, and that planning your session to be as clean and efficient as possible will create more reinforcement opportunities for both learner and teacher. Her first focus is to teach 80 different basic skills that makes it possible to teach just about anything “advanced” later. Dividing all training into the smallest behaviors possible, before even thinking of adding the cue and setting the stage for clean training loops, is a high priority.
She uses shaping wherever it is possible, and always tries to have a clean, smooth session, with clear information for the dog while removing all background distractions. Meeting the learner where they are and getting to be a part of the process where the team grows together is the most rewarding thing for her. Catja works with learners on all levels and also believes in continued education, for everyone.
Kierah Moore has been in the behavior realm for almost 10 years. It all started with a Chicago kid working on a farm for college credit. Upon receiving her Bachelors in Animal Sciences, she eventually made her way to a popular pet supply retail chain, which is where she has spent the last 4 years. This is where she gets to train dogs, trainers, and make an impact on pet parents lives every day. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a passion of Kierah’s that gives her purpose regularly. It has slowly become her north light over the years. Empowering her to be the change that she wants to see.
Dr. Kristina Spaulding has been in the dog training and behavior profession for over 20 years. She has a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and a PhD in Biopsychology—the study of the biological basis of behavior—and is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. She is particularly interested in stress, neurobiology, cognition, emotion, and well-being and how to apply these concepts to the prevention, early intervention, and treatment of behavior problems in dogs. She is an adjunct professor for Virginia Tech’s graduate program in Animal Behavior and Welfare. In addition, Dr. Spaulding teaches a variety of online courses and webinars on the science of behavior through her website and for the IAABC Foundation. She is the author of The Stress Factor in Dogs: Unlocking Resiliency and Enhancing Well-Being and regularly presents on canine behavior science at conferences and other events.
Dr. Spaulding is a recipient of the Association of Professional Dog Trainer’s (APDT’s) Member of the Year Award for her work on their education committee. In her position as Vice President of the IAABC Foundation Board she is involved in a variety of projects related to increasing access to high quality education in the field of animal training and behavior. She lives in Upstate New York with her husband, teenager, and two dogs.
Dr. Learn attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation in 2003, she completed an internship in NJ, and then she went into general practice until 2017 at which time, she started a Residency in Clinical Behavioral Medicine under the mentorship of Dr. Lisa Radosta in South Florida and Dr. Amy Pike in Northern Virginia.
Amy is a board certified veterinary behaviorist and is currently the Chief of Clinical Behavioral Medicine in Richmond VA where she counsels clients from Richmond, Charlottesville, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, Roanoke, and North Carolina. She has contributed to veterinary textbook chapters, journal articles, blogs and received the RK Anderson Resident Research Award. She has lectured for APDT, Veterinary Behavior Symposium, IAABC, Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, VMX. Her memberships and certifications include: Fear Free elite, Low Stress Handling Silver, Pet Professional Guild, IAABC Foundation Board Member.
Michelle Mullins is the owner and director of training of her business in Richmond, Virginia, USA. As an IAABC Certified Dog Behavior Consultant she offers private in-home pet training with a focus on evidence-based training and behavior modification for dogs with fear, aggression, and reactivity, basic training for puppies, and Fear-Free training of pets for veterinary and grooming procedures. In her work, she collaborates closely with veterinary professionals to ensure her clients have a complete pet care team.
Michelle has guest lectured at Ohio State University and the University of Tennessee and presents at a variety of training and veterinary conferences. She has served on the board of directors for the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants) and is the current board president of the IAABC Foundation as well as a mentor for IAABC Foundation courses. She is a content contributor to the Fear Free Animal Trainer Course, and both a Fear Free Certified Animal Trainer and Elite Certified.
All of Michelle’s work has the goal of developing long, enriching relationships between pets and their people. She is passionate about sharing continuing education in her field as it ultimately provides our clients, both human and canine, the highest quality services available.