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. Ashley also provides consulting to veterinary practices, rehabilitation clinics, and animal-care businesses to develop stress-free and behaviorally sounds practices. 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.

She has participated in every facet of the dog training field, including performance, conformation, therapy dog training and program coordination, rescue and shelter work, animal care facility management and consulting, group class instruction, and private behavior modification. Ashley is the co-author of The Healthy Way to Stretch Your Dog, the 2009 Dog Writers Association of America – Maxwell Award Winner, and co-creator of the Therapeutic Handling for Canine Rehabilitation course for Canine Rehabilitation Institute.

Ashley has a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology from Colorado State University and lives in Laramie, WY, with her two- and four-legged family.

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. Amanda is engaged in research that has the potential to vastly improve canine and feline welfare and save the lives of shelter animals. She recently completed her Masters of Science in Animals and Public Policy at the Cummings School and she chairs the CEU and Legislative Committees for CCPDT. Amanda also owns a dog training business, The Scholarly Canine.

Prior to moving to Massachusetts, Amanda had worked for multiple animal welfare organizations working towards improving the behavioral health of shelter animals. As the Manager of Behavior and Training at the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, Amanda worked to develop and implement community based programming, a shelter animal training program, a volunteer behavior program, and a behavior center. She has also provided testimony on public policies affecting animal welfare and volunteers with the MSPCA’s Animal Action Team. Amanda strives to positively impact the animal welfare and dog training field through community engagement and collaboration, as well as through her professional and academic endeavors.

Amanda currently lives in the Boston, MA area.

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. Established in 2009, Dog Latin collaborates with many veterinarian practices throughout the DMV in providing sound behavioral health to dogs. Positive reinforcement is the foundation of the company’s training and behavior modification methods.

Beth helps dogs experiencing over-arousal, anxiety, fear, and aggression through coping, relaxation, and calming skills for both dog and dog parent. Her behavioral background also includes working as patient coordinator for veterinarian behaviorist Dr. E. Kathryn Meyer.

With extensive experience in the communications field, Beth worked as a photo editor for various publications, including U.S. News & World Report. She was also the Assistant Director, Media Relations, for the Washington National Cathedral.

Beth shares her home near Bethesda, MD, with her husband and four dogs.

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. Sulley, Erica’s Golden Retriever, has earned his Canine Good Citizen and was a registered Therapy Dog through Pet Partners 2018- 2022; participating in the University of Minnesota PAWS program. Erica joined the CCPDT Board in 2022.

Erica holds a BA from the University of Minnesota, MBA from Capella University, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with over 15 years project management, program management, supervisory, and customer service experience in both public and private sectors. She has been a volunteer for the St. Paul Curling Club, Mississippi Valley Orchestra, and International Institute of Minnesota – Festival of Nations. Erica lives in Minnesota and shares her home with her Golden Retriever Sulley and cat Orson.

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 also a licensed judge for the Australian National Kennel Control’s (ANKC) Field Trials and Gundog Obedience Tests

Steve’s range of dog training services including conservation detection for preservation of wildlife; feral animal detection and management; pest control; quarantine and customs consulting; drugs/narcotics detection; and explosives detection. Steve was chosen to head the NSW Emergency Volunteer Canine Fire and Rescue Unit, which will be deployed to help with recovery efforts during tsunamis, earthquakes, fires and floods. Steve regularly works with individuals, government agencies, the armed forces, and non-profit organizations around the world. He is frequently asked to speak at conferences and is often cited as an expert in media interviews.

Steve lives in New South Wales, Australia and volunteers as the National K9 Director of Defence Community Dogs, which places rescue and shelter dogs with selected inmates from correctional institutions who train them to support soldiers suffering from PTSD.

Irith Bloom, author, presenter, trainer, and teacher, owns The Sophisticated Dog, a pet training company that offers online training worldwide, as well as in-person training to select clients in Los Angeles. Irith is also co-founder of Porter Labs, which provides technology for next-generation dog training and entertainment, and the Freak’n Awesome Dog Project, which helps people live the life of their dreams with their dogs.

Irith has been training animals since the 1980s and has worked with animals ranging from chickens and rabbits to dogs and horses—not to mention humans. A biologist by training, Irith is fascinated by the science of learning. She is a sought-after presenter at conferences and seminars worldwide, and her writing has been published in countless online outlets, as well as in print media including the recent book “Your Puppy and You: A step-by-step guide to raising a freak’n awesome dog.”

Irith is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge and Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA), a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA), a Canine Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), a Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer (VSPDT), a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP), a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT), a Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor (CBATI), and a Fear Free Certified Practitioner (FFCP). She is also certified in TAGteach, a positive-reinforcement method for teaching humans, and is on the faculty of both Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and Behavior and DogBiz’s Dog Walking Academy.

Irith has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a Member of the Board of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and on the Advisory Board for Daily Paws, as well as Chair Emeritus of the Education Committee of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). She also volunteers for National English Shepherd Rescue.

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 to police, animal control agencies and others across the US, Canada, Italy, the UK, Poland and Australia.

Jim is recognized in and out of court in the US and Canada as an expert on dangerous dogs, canine aggression, fatal dog attacks, and related issues. He has personally investigated over 20 fatal dog attacks on humans and has physically and behaviorally evaluated over 40 dogs involved post-attack. Jim served as chair of the review committee addressing dangerous dog procedures and processes for the government of the Australian Capital Territory in 2017/2018.

He authored two chapters in the textbook Dog Bites: A Multidisciplinary Approach and writes the dog aggression blog “Canine Aggression Issues with Jim Crosby”. Jim served as Animal Control Division Manager of Bay County Animal Control from 2008 to 2010 and has been Division Management Consultant to Jacksonville (FL) Animal Care and Protective Services since 2016.

Jim is a retired Police Lieutenant with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and a certified Animal Control Officer in Jacksonville, FL. He is also an Associate Member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, a Charter Member of the International Veterinary Forensic Science Association, and a Supporting Member of IAABC. Jim holds a M.S. in Veterinary Forensic Medicine and lives in the Jacksonville, FL area.

Brian Galea is the founder of Snoot App Inc, a startup based out of Miami, FL. He has been training dogs professionally since 2016. His focus is on behavioral issues in pet dogs and the effective and efficient education of everyday pet owners. In this time Brian has branched out into every corner of training practice, including therapy, agility, advanced obedience, and behavior modification – always with a focus on fast and effective education to build confidence in owners to be self-sufficient.

Brian is also the co-founder of the Heel-2-Heal non-profit in Miami FL, and tests new therapy dog teams for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. This group provides a welcoming and engaging community for its members while creating new therapy dog programs at local high schools, libraries, airports, and hospitals.

He was previously on the medical career track, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Anthropology from the University of Miami and his Master’s Degree in Human Anatomy from Case Western Reserve University. After deciding to pursue a career with more flexibility and fulfillment, Brian pivoted professionally to business, obtaining his MBA from the Herbert Business School at the University of Miami and founding Snoot.

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.

Linda LeFauve is a former college administrator who has happily turned her full attention to dogs. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology and a graduate degree in experimental psychology with a clinical practicum. She founded LeFauve Behavioral Consulting, working with rescue groups and shelters to support new dog adopters at no cost. She does temperament testing, fostering, and transports for Malamute, Rottweiler, Akita, and Siberian husky rescue groups in additional to working with all-breed rescues and shelters. She also volunteers with Continuing the Mission, a group that trains support dogs for veterans with diagnosed PTSD.

Linda is a CPDT-KA, a CBCC-KA, and is certified fear-free through Fear Free Pets. She is a member of the Marketing and Communications Committee of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). She specializes in canine fear and fear aggression.

Lynne Stott is retired from a 20 year career in hospitality management with a CFBE designation from the University of Michigan and is former Adjunct Faculty for Northern Arizona University and Pima Community College. She 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. TOP Dogs trainers help to educate volunteers, fosters and adopters in behavior management and training techniques with the goal of making dogs more adoptable and keeping adopted dogs in their homes.

Lynne’s interest in behavioral science began in 1980 and spans years as a dual-licensed foster care provider for the Arizona Department of Economic Security and Pima County Juvenile Courts. Her home also served as a Time-Out Program 24 hour crisis placement location. Her service to community includes 3 years as an active member of the Military Affairs Committee at Davis a Monthan Air Force Base, providing a bridge of communication between local industry and base leadership.

With a passion to promote growth and professionalism in the dog training industry, Lynne joined CCPDT as a committee member a few years ago. She is now serving her first term on the Board and has accepted the responsibilities of Committee Chair for Professional Outreach.

Michelle Yue is a DC-based CBCC-KA® who has been training and consulting professionally for over 16 years. Her background includes team management, shelter dogs, puppy raising, and online marketing. Her current company, Savvy City Dog, offers virtual training and behavior help worldwide. Michelle also works in-person with select clients in the Washington, DC area. She joined the CCPDT Board in 2022.

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. Bradley joined the CCPDT Board in 2009 and served as President from 2012 through 2017. He has served as Director of Animal Behavior Programs for the Humane Society of Indianapolis, an open admissions shelter receiving approximately 10,000 animals per year, and the Director of Pet Behavior Services for the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic & Wellness Center.

Bradley has a passion for learning and regularly hosts and attends continuing education seminars for pet care professionals. In 2003, he successfully completed the Purdue University DOGS! Course. He is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed™, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed™, and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the Basenji Club of America. Bradley is active in AKC Conformation shows and professionally handles many breeds, including Basenjis, Briards, and Afghan Hounds. Bradley lives in the Indianapolis, IN area.

Kate Anders owned and ran a successful business, Pretty God Dog, for over a decade. Her work as a dog professional began in 2005, and she oversaw the behavior and training program for the Minnesota Valley Humane Society before starting her own business. Kate specialized in child-dog conflict cases, helping families prepare for, and live successfully with, babies/children and dogs. More recently she has directed her professional focus toward promoting professionalization of the industry, and supporting the examination and credentialing process for other dog professionals.

In addition to her CCPDT certifications, Kate is a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), and while seeing clients held the credential of Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC). She was a licensed Family Paws Parent Educator (FPPE) for over 10 years, and served 6 years as an officer on the board of directors for a local dog training club.

Kate lives in Minnesota with her family, and is also part of a published research team studying canine heart rate variability and its relationship to behavior and aggression.