| CCPDT Board & Committees |
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Miranda K. Workman, CPDT-KA
She also serves as the Training and Enrichment Coordinator for the SPCA Serving Erie County where she develops behavior and training programs for both dogs and cats. She is a member of their AdvoCATS and Greenly Committee focusing on feline advocacy, behavior and training. Her facility also houses a feline rehabilitation center for SPCA cats in need of professional behavior work before adoption. Working with their Humane Education Department she and her staff provide the training portion of their TLC program working with inner-city youth to foster respect and compassion for all animals. Miranda is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelors of Art in Art History and Spanish. She is a Professional Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). She earned her Certified Professional Dog Trainer certification in November 2004. She has spoken at several venues including the Humane Society of the United States Animal Care Expo 2009 where she spoke to a packed audience about Feline Rehabilitation and Training. You can find her listed in the credits for the book "All About Dog Daycare - A Blueprint for Success" by Robin Bennett, CPDT as an editor for the book's first chapter. Rahvin and Aviendha, the boxers who pushed Miranda into her career as an animal training and behavior professional, have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She gives them complete credit for who she is today. Currently, she shares her home with a very supportive husband, Rick, who helps care for their two Dutch Shepherds (Apollo and Artemis),a Jack Russell Terrier/Bulldog mix (Sherlock), four cats (Adara, Rane, Aleph and Samantha) and one rabbit (Amarillo). Residing at her training facility are four cats (Timothy, Franz, Cosmo and Ozzie) and one red-tailed boa constrictor (Vladamyr).
Audrey is the recommended behavior counselor and trainer for all three Connecticut Humane Societies. She assisted in developing a Shelter Dog Training Program that is used throughout Connecticut to train volunteers who then dedicate their time to train the dogs in the shelters. The program is based on environmental cues and has dramatically increased the success of the dogs in their new homes. As a side benefit, since the dogs demonstrate their abilities to their new owners every day, the owners are excited about continuing their education, thereby increasing the bond between human and canine. Audrey loves to share her experience and passion for dogs with others. In addition to the Shelter Dog Training, Audrey teaches the Canine Behavior program at the annual New England 4H Dog Camp and works with several Connecticut 4H programs as the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator. Audrey is sought after as a speaker on aggression, bite prevention and canine behavior. Audrey's Belgian Sheepdog, Cheyenne, had an uncanny ability to bring smiles to the faces of so many people which prompted them to get involved in visiting nursing homes as a therapy dog team. As a result of this work, Audrey became the contributing author on therapy dogs in "Belgians: Start to Finished" 2nd edition. She and her Belgian Tervuren, Kiowa, compete in a variety of performance sports including agility and rally. Audrey has served as the co-chair for several agility events including the largest agility trial in the United States, the Thanksgiving Cluster, held in Springfield, MA. As the National Director of Rescue for the Belgian Sheepdog Club of America, Audrey's passion for rescues inspired her to start The Belgian Shepherd Rescue, which helps connect those looking to adopt or surrender the four varieties of the Belgian Shepherd. Because of Audrey's dedication to dogs, she was selected as the recipient of the 2003 Ian Dunbar / Association of Pet Dog Trainers Member of the Year Award from over 5000 APDT members.
Marilyn has lived with pets her whole life. Mostly dogs and cats but also birds, skunks, a groundhog, rabbits, a pig, horses, and others and learned to read their body language long before the term "body language" hit popular culture. She started studying training in earnest when she adopted Tommy when we was about two months of age. Before Tommy was a year old, he had decided his job in life was to be the Sheriff. He took his job very seriously. The fat, round puppy grew into a 90-pound dog that was solid muscle. He would lunge at people, he was scared of loud noises, he had separation anxiety, he destroyed the doorway twice. To be as good a partner as possible, Marilyn learned training techniques, behavior analysis, more body language specific to dogs, and environmental management. She learned and used every tool she could find to help him. Currently, she only works with companion dogs through private lessons. It is important to help everyone live together comfortably so the pet gets to stay in the home it has. She is an Associate with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Professional Dog Trainer with the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals, Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, charter member of Friends of Animal Services (for Pasco County), a Delta Society Pet Partner with Candy, and adopter, foster and trainer for Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida.
Jan began offering private lessons with Smart Paws, and then launched a complete series of clicker based classes for puppy, adolescent and adult dogs. She is a huge fan of using the clicker for reactive dogs and collaborated with two rival trainers (who became great friends) to offer the first positive reinforcement class for dog reactivity on Oahu. Recently, Jan expanded her clicker services to offer cat training and behavior modification services which proved to be a fantastic challenge! Jan has a BA in Psychology from the University of Texas and is a Professional Member with the APDT, a member of the Animal Behavior Management Alliance and the International Marine Animal Trainers Association. She and her husband Jay share their home with four reactive dogs, and two very patient cats. Nicole Johnston, CPDT-KA
Nicole's chocolate Lab, Tia, was responsible for the duo competing in Flyball, Agility and participating in Superdog Shows. The bond they developed inspired Nicole to help other people find the "fun" way to train dogs. Today Nicole is proud to be the first Trainer in Edmonton to attain her designation as a CPDT-KA, she currently holds a Professional Membership with the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and the Canadian Association of Professional Professional Dog Trainers (CAPPDT). Working together to create a socially acceptable and enjoyable canine society is the Dogspaw Motto. Being able to work with dogs, to rehabilitate "problem" dogs and see them create new relationships with their families is what makes Nicole so passionate about animal welfare. There is nothing like watching a dog develop into an acceptable member of our society (and the faces of the people who see the difference she makes). She credits her family, Tia (Chocolate Lab), Kira & Loki (Miniature Pinschers) for their support and understanding of this passion.
Brad joined the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic in an effort to build the interdisciplinary relationship between dog trainers and veterinarians. Shortly after his arrival in July 2007, plans were underway to open Bark Tutor School for Dogs, a unique training school focused on promoting the clinics idea of professional training and socialization for their clients dogs. Brad has a passion for learning and regularly attends and hosts continuing education seminars for pet care professionals. In 2003 he successfully completed the Purdue University DOGS! Course. A professional dog trainer for 7 seven years, Brad is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the Basenji Club of America. He is active in AKC Conformation shows and professionally handles many breeds including Basenjis, Poodles and Afghan Hounds. He shares his home with 5 dogs and a pot bellied pig.
Cissy is excited to be a member of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. By being on the Board, Cissy feels she can pursue her goal of promoting motivational training and the recognition of dog training certifications. In addition to training dogs to be loving companions, Cissy teaches and competes in canine agility sports. Cissy has titled her own dogs as well as her clients in AKC and USDAA agility. Cissy competes with an assortment of breeds, some of them rescues. She likes to demonstrate any dog can compete in dog sports. Cissy writes a weekly advice column "Ask the Dog Trainer" for the Hub section of the Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers. In her column, Cissy answers questions from the public on training and behavior. She serves in an advisory position for several local and national breed rescues. Her goal is to make dog-training user friendly and find viable solutions to keep dogs in their homes. All of Cissy's training is driven by motivation. She firmly believes that if we can open the path of communication with our dogs, they will be happily compliant. Her clients, canine and human, enjoy the results of positive dog training.
Jennifer has been a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2006. She sits on the City of Edmonton's 118th Avenue Revitalization Committee where she is one of the main organizers of the annual Avenue Goes to the Dogs event. She is also the Vice President of a local animal rescue group called PAWS. Jennifer is the proud owner of two female bullmastiffs. Layla who is 3 and Ember who just turned a year. She has also recently added a new addition to her family, a 4 year old Golden Retriever named Herbie.
Joan Campbell, CAE
Joan earned her Certified Association Executive designation in 1989, and has kept it current through a series of continuing education. In 2003, she was presented with the Outstanding Association Executive of the Year award by the New York Society of Association Executives, where she has served as a member of their Board of Directors. Joan has also served as committee and board members of the Chicago Society of Association Executives and the American Society of Association Executives. She and her husband Angus dote on their three dogs Bistro (Pomeranian/chihuahua mix), Nikki (miniature dachshund/terrier mix), and Bella (chihuahua).
The following committees help the CCPDT complete the important work that it does in the field of dog training: The Examination Committee The Policies and Procedures Committee The Marketing Committee |
Miranda owns Purrfect Paws Animal Behavior Center, LLC in Amherst, NY providing animal behavior and training services for dogs and cats. Her training philosophy is embodied in her business tag line: Building Positive and Permanent Relationships. She firmly believes that all students of any species should enjoy the learning process. Focusing on positive reinforcement and clicker training/TAG Teach helps her students succeed while making learning memorable for both humans and their pets.
Audrey A. Tucker founded Pet Education and Therapy, LLC, in Newington, CT to help owners train their dogs and solve canine behavior problems. Pet Education and Therapy has grown to a full service animal care organization. She and her staff provide canine behavior modification, training, canine massage, Bach flower remedies, pet sitting, and pet portrait services throughout Connecticut.
Marilyn Wolf, with a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Business from the U of MD, is the Managing Member of Korrect Kritters, LLC. Decades of being a hobby trainer preceded becoming a professional after moving to Florida in 2000. Marilyn is a parent, stepparent, and grandparent who has lived with dogs of all sizes, ages, and temperaments over the years. She uses skills such as analysis, team building, and managing multiple projects which were applied in manufacturing (in the Midwest) and the Federal government (in the Northeast).
Jan Czaja is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed and the owner of Smart Paws Pet Training on Oahu, Hawaii. Jan previously enjoyed a career as a Broadcast Journalist with the US Army and later as a civilian, but returned to college to become a marine mammal trainer. Jan uses her experience as a dolphin, stingray and shark trainer to inspire pet owners to forgo the use of all punishments in favor of positive reinforcement to shape good behavior. She encourages owners to treat their pets with the high standard of care found in accredited zoos; plenty of exercise, mental enrichment and daily training. Her favorite training tools are dinner kibble, the living room rug and the TV commercial break.
Nicole is the owner of Dogspaw Ltd, a multi faceted facility located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Nicole pursued her dream of working with dogs after founding a local rescue group and seeing so many dogs given up on by their owners merely because they were in need of love, attention and simple training. Her passion to help save animals has grown into a thriving business where Nicole and her dedicated staff provide many pet related services including Doggy Daycare, Professional Training, Behaviour Modifications, Resort Boarding, Grooming and a Retail Boutique.
Brad Phifer is the Director of Pet Behavior Services for the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic & Wellness Center and the Headmaster for Bark Tutor School for Dogs in Indianapolis, IN. Prior to joining the veterinary hospital, Brad was the Director of Animal Behavior Programs for the Humane Society of Indianapolis, an open admissions shelter receiving ~ 10,000 animals per year.
Cecelia "Cissy" Sumner came into dog training as a midlife career change. After 20 plus years in retail sales and management, dog training has become her passion. Cissy founded Best Behavior Dog Training in 2002 to help show dog owners how to teach their dogs using force free training methods. Because Cissy feels credentials are important, she was certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in 2003. This certification assures Cissy?s knowledge is well rounded and based on scientific data and learning theories.
Jennifer has over 12 years of experience working in the not for profit sector. She has been the Executive Director of two not for profit organizations and is currently a Campaign Manager in the Business Development Division with the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Joan Campbell has over 25 years of experience managing trade and professional not-for-profit associations in a variety of fields and organizational settings. Joan is currently the Director of Management Services at Professional Testing Corporation, where she serves as executive director for three of their clients and participates in project work for other clients.