Animal Trainers podcast

Sarah Westcott, CPDT-KSA is the President of Doggie Academy, Inc. and co-author of the award-winning book Play Your Way to Good Manners: Getting the Best Behavior from Your Dog through Sports, Games, and Tricks, which launched in 2019 and was named the 2019 Best Book in Training or Sports by the Dog Writers Association of America.

Sarah officially launched Doggie Academy in 2007 after working with some of the top trainers in the United States to study the science of how dogs learn as well as how to be an effective teacher to their human companions.

She enjoys training & competing with her dogs in a variety of dog sports, with agility being her primary focus. She believes that training should be fun for both dog and human so the journey is just as rewarding as the results.

Amy has been training dogs for over 15 years and belongs to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the Pet Professional Guild. She is passionate about educating the public on positive training methods and she has worked as an instructor for Florida Guide Dogs for the Deaf and Therapetics Service Dogs of Oklahoma.

Amy is published in Bella Dog Magazine and numerous newspapers throughout the country, as well as in "A D P T'" Tips from Top Trainers". She is currently a contributor for the Victoria Stilwell blog and newsletter. Amy continues her education by attending seminars and conferences. Amy is experienced in everything from canine aggression cases to basic behavioral issues.

Jodi Kellar-Jackson, the owner of Kellar's Canine Academy, holds 2 Masters Degrees where she extensively studied educational & behavioral theories. She is a certified dog trainer & mentors future trainers as well as serves the canine community. She is an evaluator for the AKC Canine Good Citizen, STAR Puppy & Trick Dog, Do More with Your Dog Instructor, Pet Partner Therapy Team evaluator, certified One Mind Dogs Instructor & is a judge for WCRL & UKI. Jodi makes training fun & challenging for all dogs. She plays at local & national competitions in multiple venues with her two beagles (Maggie & OBX) & two border collies (Sundae & StellaDora).

Lisa Lanser Rose is a Certified Trick Dog Trainer, Official Stunt Dog Judge, and a member of the board at the Upper Suncoast Dog Training Club. She is a creative writing professor and an award-winning author of the memoir "For the Love of a Dog" and the novel, "Body Sharers". Lisa also writes and speaks about canine rescue, dog training, and women's issues. She and her Champion Trick Dogs also perform throughout the Tampa Bay, FL area.

Enrique has always been a "dog" person. In the military, he had the opportunity to train and work with military working dogs but it wasn't until he returned from Iraq that his journey started.

Several combat tours took a toll on him, both professionally and personally. He found himself in the ropes of depression and PTSD, with no way out. During those lowest points, his dog was right alongside him, always faithful. Seeing the devotion and love his dog gave him, he wanted to learn how to communicate with him, and help him overcome his own behavior problems. That idea turned into a goal, that goal turned into a passion, that passion turned into a lifestyle. A lifestyle of freedom, travel and great memories alongside his dog, where the only limit was his imagination, not his dog's behavior or abilities. As he progressed in training, friends, neighbors and even people passing by walked up to him and shared the stories of their dog. In all those stories, he noticed not just the deep love they had for their dogs, but also the real struggles they had with them, and how it was stopping them from enjoying life to the fullest, even forcing them to give them up or make more grim choices.

Knowing first hand how life-changing it was to have his dog be part of his life, he wanted to find a way to help others and their dogs. By training dogs and teaching their people, he finally found a way to change lives, for the better.

Lynne Marie has worked with dogs for the past 38 years. She has written two books to help humans understand dogs and their behaviors. In her books, she shares experiences and the knowledge she's gained through the different positions she's held in the field. She believes that once you drop your fear of the animal and handle them with love and understanding they become less afraid and less reactive. Being prepared for anything and staying calm with all dogs is all it takes.

Ryan Albaugh has served as a K9 Police officer in Tennessee, K9 handler in Afghanistan for the Department of Defense and Department of State at the Embassy in Kabul. He has been through three K9 schools and currently owns a dog training business in Minneapolis, MN that provides individuals with private dog training for obedience and behavior modification for their dogs. His business also partners with local rescues and shelters to rehabilitate dogs and help prevent them from returning due to behavioral issues. Ryan currently works in Hollywood, CA as a K9 handler for movie premieres.

Jane Miller's lifelong passion for healing has emphasized the human-animal connection, culminating in her certification as a Canine Massage Therapist and as a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant.

Jane trains shelter dogs implementing positive reward-based training that focuses on building a bond and relationship of trust, communication, body language, and stress reduction techniques for humans and their animals.

 The shelter dogs that have the potential to be psychiatric service dogs transform the lives of those severely limited in their ability to function due to mental illness. The dogs are trained to mitigate the effects of the symptoms of the individual and help support them through their daily activities.

Cheri Burger is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer with 10 years of experience training dogs of all ages, breeds, and temperaments. Cheri came to love dogs much later in life when she was introduced to a big rescue dog that ignited her passion. Bagley was an 18-month-old Labrador mix that showed her all the love and fun dogs have to offer. She is committed to force-free training methods and joined the Pet Professional Guild and the Force-Free Trainers of Wisconsin. Both organizations are dedicated to educating the public about humane training methods. Cheri offers group classes for dogs of all ages from puppies to seniors. She also offers private training and behavior modification training.