CCPDT Board

The CCPDT® is governed by a Board of Directors that consists of no more than twelve and no less than seven directors. Mandatory positions include President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Member. All board members have voting privileges.

Because we are a credentialing organization, not a membership organization, board members aren’t elected by the certificants, but rather by the current board. Instead we issue a call for nominations to fill any vacant seats on the board of directors once every year (or more often, if needed). Interested candidates submit a letter indicating why they would like to be considered for a board seat, and include information about their professional background.

All candidates are then interviewed by the CCPDT Executive Director with questions created by the CCPDT Nominations Committee. Finally, the CCPDT board votes on the candidates based on all the available information.

Interested in Volunteering?

Look out for the annual call for board members. We announce it in our newsletter, on social media channels, and post it on our website.

But serving on the board is not the only opportunity to get involved with the CCPDT. If you would like to grow your professional network and give back to the profession, we are always looking to expand our energetic team of volunteers. Learn how you can contribute.

CCPDT Board Members

Ashley Foster, CBCC-KA®

President
afoster@ccpdt.org

Ashley Foster is a CBCC-KA and Professional Dog Trainer who has been training and consulting professionally for over 26 years. She is the founder and owner of Complete K-9, which offers science-based behavior consulting and various training services to build human-dog relationships. Fueled by a great passion for the progression and professionalization of the field, Ashley joined the CCPDT Board in 2018 and was elected president in 2021.

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Amanda Kowalski, CPDT-KA®

Amanda Kowalski

Vice President
akowalski@CCPDT.org

Amanda Kowalski is the Research Project and Event Coordinator for the Center for Animals and Public Policy and Center for Shelter Dogs at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

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Elizabeth (Beth) Mullen, CPDT-KA®, CBCC-KA®

Treasurer
emullen@ccpdt.org

Beth is the owner/founder of Dog Latin Dog Training and Behavior Consulting, a small dog behavior company that coaches dogs and their dog guardians to live in harmony in the Washington, DC area. She helps dogs experiencing over-arousal, anxiety, fear, and aggression through coping, relaxation, and calming skills for both dog and dog parent.

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Erica Kramer, MBA, PMP

Secretary, Public Member
ekramer@ccpdt.org

Erica is a lifelong dog lover. As a client of dog trainers, Erica appreciates and values regulated professional certification programs and ongoing learning that is required to maintain a certification. She holds a BA from the University of Minnesota, MBA from Capella University, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

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Steve Austin, CPDT-KA®

Director
saustin@ccpdt.org

Steve Austin owns Steve Austin Canine Training, a specialist business providing handling and training services for canine detection, canine conservation, canine and handler training, education seminars, and courses in New South Wales, Australia. He is frequently asked to speak at conferences and is often cited as an expert in media interviews.

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Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA®, CBCC-KA®

Director
ibloom@ccpdt.org

Irith Bloom is the owner of The Sophisticated Dog, a pet training company that offers online training worldwide. She is also co-founder of Porter Labs, which provides next-generation technology for dog training and enrichment, and the Freak’n Awesome Dog Project, which helps people live the life of their dreams with their dogs. A biologist by training, Irith is a sought-after presenter at conferences and seminars worldwide and her writing has been published both online and in print.

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James Crosby, CBCC-KA®

Director
jcrosby@ccpdt.org

James Crosby has professionally trained dogs, taught individual and group obedience classes, and addressed canine behavior problems since 1999. He teaches safe handling, evaluation and rehabilitation of dangerous dogs and the investigation of fatal and serious dog attacks throughout the US, Canada, Italy, the UK, Poland and Australia.

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Brian Galea, CPDT-KA®, CBCC-KA®

Director
bgalea@ccpdt.org

Brian Galea is the founder of Snoot App Inc, a startup based out of Miami, FL. He has been training dogs professionally since 2016. Combining his years of scientific and research training, professional dog experience, and passion for building community, Brian’s goal is to bring quality support and standards to the pet industry.

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Linda LeFauve, CPDT-KA®, CBCC-KA®

Director
llefauve@ccpdt.org

Linda LeFauve is a former college administrator who has happily turned her full attention to dogs. She founded LeFauve Behavioral Consulting, working with rescue groups and shelters to support new dog adopters at no cost. She also volunteers with Continuing the Mission, a group that trains support dogs for veterans with diagnosed PTSD.

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Lynn Stott, CPDT-KA®, CBCC-KA®

Director
lstott@ccpdt.org

Lynne Stott is retired from a 20 year career in hospitality management and is currently a volunteer trainer at Pima Animal Care Center and member of the Leadership Team for TOP Dogs, a volunteer-run focus project supported by the Friends of PACC and concentrating on the needs of behavioral dogs in a municipal shelter.

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Brad Phifer, CPDT-KSA®, CBCC-KA®

Brad Phifer

Executive Director
bphifer@ccpdt.org

Bradley Phifer, owner of Bradley Phifer Dog Training, is an Indianapolis-based dog trainer and behavior consultant who has helped countless owners live happier lives with their pets. Dedicated to the professionalization of dog training, he divides his attention between CCPDT and his dog training clients.

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Kate Anders, CPDT-KSA®, CBCC-KA®

Director of Exam Development and Review
kanders@ccpdt.org

Kate Anders began working as a dog professional in 2005 and spent 10 years specializing in child-dog conflict cases. She began regularly volunteering for the CCPDT’s Exam Committee in 2017, joined the board in 2019, and moved into a consulting role in 2021.

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Public Policy Documents

We have a public policy page to give certificants and the public a central place to review the documents that underpin our governance. The documents are updated continuously.

CCPDT Public Policies