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APDT Keynotes 2009

Dr Pamela Reid
Pamela Reid is a certified applied animal behaviorist. She received her Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in animal learning and behavior from the University of Toronto. Pam is the Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center. At the ASPCA, Pam consults with pet owners, veterinarians, trainers, legal professionals, and shelter personnel on animal behavior. She and her colleagues are developing a national program to educate people about behaviour and how to work through pet behaviour problems. Pam is also adjunct professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois. In conjunction with the ASPCA, she directs a Masters Degree program in Biology with a specialization in companion animal behaviour. Prior to joining the ASPCA, Pam established a thriving behaviour consultation practice in Toronto Canada and was assistant professor with the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph.

Pam lectures worldwide on animal behavior, learning theory, and agility training.  She writes award-winning articles for both professional journals and popular magazines and is author of the acclaimed book Excel-erated Learning! Explaining (in plain English) how Dogs Learn and how Best to Teach them (James & Kenneth Publishers 1996).

Pam has served on committees for APDT, Delta Society, American Humane, PETsMART, and HSUS on topics relating to canine learning and dog training. For several years, she consulted with the U.S. Department of Defense on the use of dogs for narcotics and explosives detection. She has served on the Animal Behavior Society’s Board of Professional Certification and the Certification Council for Pet Dog Training. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, Animal Behavior Society, Comparative Cognition Society, and Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

In her spare time, Pam competes with her Border-Border, Eejit, ADCH, FbMCH, 2000 and 2002 USDAA National Steeplechase Champion (runner-up in 2001), 2004 2^nd place DAM Team Championship, 3-time DAM Team Regional Champion, USDAA Top Ten 2002-2006, 2004-2005 Tournament Top Ten (No. 4 in Lifetime Top Ten).  Pam’s Border Collie, Ciaran, ADCH, MADC, AM CDX, FbCH (1989-2000) was once a serious contender at USDAA events, winning regional and national agility events. He also earned Dog World awards for his obedience work. Pam is also known for her beloved Saluki Shaahiin, CDX, AD, FbCH, FCh (1986-2000), who was an awesome obedience competitor, the first Saluki to earn an agility title, and for 15 years held the record as the only Saluki to earn NAFA flyball titles. Pam is now enjoying Fidget, a shelter mystery, and her young Lurcher, Snafu.

Sarah Kalnajs B.A. / CDBC / CPDT
Sarah Kalnajs is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants) and Certified Pet Dog Trainer (Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers) with over ten years' experience working in canine behavior, training, and research. She is the owner of Blue Dog Training & Behavior in Madison, Wisconsin.

Sarah is a professional member of the ABMA (Animal Behavior Management Alliance), APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers), IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants), and the IIACAB (International Institute for Applied Companion Animal Behavior). She is one of the editors of the peer-reviewed Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior and is a member of the advisory board and faculty of the Companion Animal Sciences Institute. Sarah is also an instructor of courses on dog related topics for Raising Canine.

Sarah is an honors graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Madison and has completed post-graduate work at Edgewood College and through the Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Research Lab at the University of Hawaii. She is one of the first international students to complete the Canine Behavior Program conducted through the Etologisk Institute under the mentorship of Dr. Roger Abrantes in Denmark.

Sarah is the producer of the popular and highly praised DVD series, “Language of Dogs” and “Am I Safe”.

In addition to her private practice, Ms. Kalnajs is president of Wisconsin American Eskimo Rescue and political liaison for the Wisconsin Dog Rescue Coalition as well as an Executive Committee Member of AAFMED (Arf's Angel Fund Medical Assistance) which provides financial aid to rescued pets in need of medical help.

A popular speaker and freelance writer, Sarah presents seminars nationwide on topics relating to dog training and behavior. She has been interviewed by BBC radio, NBC television, Wisconsin Public Radio, Women’s Health & Fitness magazine, and Honolulu magazine, and has written articles for APDT Chronicle of the Dog, Madison magazine, Allpets, and other publications.  She has extensive experience as an expert witness in both civil and criminal litigation relating to dog aggression.

Sarah serves as a consultant to a number of humane societies in Southern Wisconsin, training staff and implementing evaluation protocols and training and behavior programs. She is well known for her evaluation protocol (the Blue Dog Behavior Evaluation) as well as the Dog-Safe Waist Restraint System used by shelters and dog owners who need to evaluate or work with reactive, fearful or aggressive dogs.

In addition to her work with dogs, Sarah has participated extensively in dolphin and humpback whale research.

Sarah shares her home with eight dogs, two cats, and a very nice (and quite necessary) vacuum cleaner!