In this episode, Dr. Feuerbacher joins co-hosts Lauren Novack (ACDBC, KPA-CTP, FPPE) and Ferdie Yau (MA, CPDT-KA) to talk about what it's like to build a Master's program in Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare and her ultimate goal of improving standards for animal training and welfare. We dive into:

• What it was like to develop a Master's program at Virginia Tech in Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare from the ground up.
• Challenging her students to question accepted training lores in order to advance our knowledge of applied animal behavior.
• The need for more rigorous qualifications to become professional dog trainers and the injustice to dog guardians because of the system we have now.
• Her thoughts on LIMA, CAT, and how she likes to train animals. 

Dr. Feuerbacher's bio:
Dr. Erica Feuerbacher is an Associate Professor in Animal & Poultry Sciences at
Virginia Tech and director of the Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare Lab, where she focuses her research on dogs and horses. She also coordinates the online Masters program in Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare at Virginia Tech. She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Florida in the UF Canine Cognition and Behavior Lab and her Master’s in Behavior Analysis at the University of North Texas in the Organization for Reinforcement Contingencies with Animals. She is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. Her research and publications focus on understanding domestic animal behavior and learning from a behavior analytic perspective, using applied animal behavior to solve behavioral issues in dogs and horses, and identifying interventions that improve shelter dog welfare. She is passionate about humane, effective animal training, and working with owners, trainers, and shelter staff to improve our interactions with animals.

Links:
Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare Lab at Virginia Tech FB page www.facebook.com/aabvt

Virginia Tech's Online Master of Agricultural and Life Sciences program with a concentration in Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare

http://www.ericanfeuerbacher.com/

Theme music composed and performed by Andy Sells

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