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Companion Animal Behavior Connection Information about our
professionals is detailed here. They are available to help you with
behavior problems with your companion animal. Contact the behavior
professional of your choice for specific information. Founding Members James
C. Ha, Ph.D. Louisa Beal, DVM,
CPDT Kathy
Sdao, MA, CAAB Ann R.
Howie, LICSW, ACSW Lori
McKenna, CPDT |
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James C. Ha, Ph.D. 206-953-0703 www.companionanimalsolutions.com info@companionanimalsolutions.com |
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The mission of Companion Animal Solutions is to
provide high-quality on-site consulting on companion animal behavior
problems. The field of domestic and companion animal behavior research
has been a rapidly expanding one in recent years. Successful treatment of
companion animal behavior problems today requires a strong background in the
evolution and genetics of the species or breed, the practical application of
modern learning theory, the latest research findings, and the application of
these findings to clinical situations.
The Seattle area features a number of excellent
veterinarians, as well as many well-qualified dog trainers. Our practice
complements this expertise by specializing in significant problem behaviors in
dogs, those which fall outside the expertise of many dog obedience trainers, as
well as in cases of cat and other companion animal behavior problems.
Dr. Ha is accredited as a Certified Applied Animal
Behaviorist by the Animal Behavior Society, the largest organization of
professional animal behaviorists. His background includes a Masters
degree in biology from Wake Forest University (1983) and a Ph.D. in zoology,
with a specialization in animal behavior, from Colorado State University
(1989). Currently, Dr Ha is a Research Associate Professor in Psychology
(Animal Behavior Program) at the University of Washington. Dr. Ha has
participated in a number of court cases as an expert legal witness.
Lecture topics available:
--- The (Mis)Behavior
of Dogs and Cats:
An Introduction to Applied Animal Behavior
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Kathy Sdao, MA, CAAB |
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Kathy Sdao has been a full-time animal trainer for 17
years. She earned a Master’s degree in experimental psychology from the
University of Hawaii in 1990. At the University’s Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal
Laboratory, she was part of a research team that trained dolphins to solve
complex cognitive puzzles. These dolphin “mind games” were designed to allow
analysis of the animals’ language-processing capabilities. When Kathy completed
her graduate studies, the U.S. Navy (Department of Defense) hired her to train
dolphins to perform applied, open-ocean tasks. Training sessions took place in
the waters off Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, with the trainers on a small boat and the
dolphins swimming alongside unrestrained.
Kathy next accepted a job in Tacoma, Washington as a
marine mammal trainer at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. For five years,
the zoo’s beluga whales, walruses, porpoises, sea lions, polar bears and otters
taught her to be a better trainer. In 1994, as vice president of the
International Marine Animal Trainers Association, she organized and chaired the
organization’s 22nd annual conference.
In 1996, Kathy made the big leap from wet mammals to
dry ones. In partnership with a fellow zookeeper, she created and managed Puget
Hound Daycare, Western Washington’s first dog daycare. There she had the opportunity
to spend 10 hours a day observing a wide range of canine behavior. In the
evenings, Kathy taught pet owners how to “dolphin-train” their dogs.
Kathy sold her interest in the dog daycare business a
few years ago. She now specializes in presenting educational seminars to
trainers and pet owners, developing behavior modification plans for “difficult”
dogs, and teaching private training lessons. She is an enthusiastic
clicker-training advocate (or zealot, according to some), having experienced
its awesome power to communicate clearly with so many different species.
Lecture topics available:
--- Dolphin-Train
Your Dog:
Discover how marine mammal training techniques have revolutionized dog training
--- Top
Ten Myths About Dogs:
The truth about Lassie.
--- Puppy
Priorities:
Learn about behavioral development in puppies.
Upcoming Seminars and Workshops
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Ann R. Howie, LICSW, ACSW |
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Ann has enjoyed and learned
from animals in her life since birth (she was up on horseback before she was
walking). As an adult, Ann began
integrating animals into her counseling practice in 1987 and has worked with
animals in (human) healthcare ever since.
She has incorporated animals into her work in the following settings:
-- In-patient psychiatry
-- Acute-care pediatrics, med-surg, ICU
-- Medical rehabilitation
-- Skilled nursing – transitional care, long-term care, and special care
-- Home health
-- Hospice
Ann founded and coordinated a
hospital animal-assisted activities & therapy program from 1989-1997. Ann
was Delta Society®’s national Director of AAT Services from
1995-2000, and she is an Eden Associate.
She wrote a textbook for animal-program coordinators and contributes to
internationally recognized training books on handler skills and animal-handler
evaluation. She was part of the
initial task force to identify standards for the emerging field of animal-assisted
therapy. She is leading author of
a State of the Art Report on infection control implications for animals in
healthcare facilities currently in process for the Association of Practitioners
in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). She is an adjunct faculty member in the Masters in Counseling
program at St. Martin’s College in Olympia, Washington, and she is Bereavement
Services Coordinator with Providence Hospice in Olympia.
Ann provides consultation and
training nationally and internationally through her business, Human-Animal
Solutions. Ann specializes in helping people live well with animals, both
at home and in public. Ann was traditionally trained to use coercive dog
training methods, and she has now crossed over to clicker training. She uses
clicker-training principles in her work with both people and animals.
Ann shares her life with her
husband and (currently) a Portuguese Water Dog, three Wheaten Terriers, and
multitudes of wild birds and squirrels.
Lecture topics available:
--- I Want My Dog to be My
Best Friend
--- I Want to Visit with My Dog
--- Let’s
Go Visit! (Basic Handling Skills)
--- Let’s Go Visit! II
(Intermediate Handling Skills)
--- Let’s
Go Visit! III (Advanced Handling Skills)
--- Therapy Dogs Under Pressure
--- What is
the Difference Between a Service Dog and a Therapy Dog?
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Louisa Beal, DVM, CPDT |
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Dr. Beal has been counseling owners with pet behavior
problems since her senior year in veterinary school. She received her degree from Washington State University
School of Veterinary Medicine in 1984.
She owned a veterinary clinic from 1986 to 1996 before moving to full
time behavioral consulting.
In addition to behavior consultations, Dr. Beal has
been a speaker at several local veterinary meetings, the Tacoma-Pierce Count
Humane Society, the American Boarding Kennel Association, and the Association
of Pet Dog Trainers.
She became certified by the Association of Pet Dog
Trainers in 2003.
Dr. Beal sees cats and dogs for all sorts of behavior
problems. The more common problems include aggression, destructive
behavior, and inappropriate elimination.
Member:
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- Washington State Veterinary Medical Association
- American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior
- Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
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Lori McKenna, CPDT |
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Lori McKenna is a 1986 graduate and former
employee of the National Institute of Dog Training, and the author of Everyday
Dog: Training for Real Life. Her interest in
and experience with canine behavior and her love of working with dogs has led
her to develop the Everyday Dog program, which helps to build a working and
loving relationship between dogs and their owners. This process of increasing the bond between owners and dogs has saved
many dogs from ending up at the pound.
Lori has experience with dogs of all breeds
and temperaments. She works with sport dog training, and provides behavior
counseling to dog owners for aggression, fear issues, and other problems.
Workshop topics available:
--- Chill Out - Teach Your Dog Self-Control
--- Kids and Dogs - Playing Together Safely
--- Fix It - Easy Answers For Leash and Recall Problems
Member: Association
of Pet Dog Trainers