American Humane Association Establishes Animal Behavior and Training Advisory Committee

The American Humane Association has recruited an Animal Behavior and Training Advisory Committee -- composed of representatives of major national organizations and key opinion leaders in the field of animal behavior and training -- which met for the first time today in Minneapolis.

Establishment of the Advisory Committee is one of the actions taken by American Humane’s board of directors and management team to create a new culture of collaboration and partnership by joining and participating in coalitions of organizations to derive the most good for the broadest number of constituencies.

“American Humane is committed to the honorable values and principles that we have carried for more than 130 years,” said George Casey, interim president and CEO of American Humane. “We intend to reflect a firm recommitment through open and collaborative initiatives, such as this Committee and the programs under its purview. It is our objective, as an organization, to increasingly be viewed as a valuable and meaningful repository and source of information that will grow professional capacity and competency in expanding human-animal interactions awareness and work.”

Chaired by Dr. Marie S. McCabe, senior vice president of American Humane’s Human-Animal Interactions Program, the Advisory Committee will:

• Oversee and provide guidance for an upcoming National Pet Dog Training Summit.
• Provide content and editorial advice and oversight for the American Humane Animal Behavior Resources Institute Online.
• Provide advice, direction, oversight and guidance related to ongoing objectives for American Humane’s Human-Animal Interactions programs that are consistent with the topics of animal behavior and training.
• Assist in developing principles and position statements to be adopted by American Humane.

“American Humane is committed to providing value to those involved with human-animal interactions by helping to build competency and capacity for professionals, as well as by being an advocate for those in the profession,” said McCabe. “Thus, our advisory committees serve a key role by harnessing the expertise and experience of members, developing science-based positions, and setting the direction for American Humane’s focus and programs.”

The Animal Behavior and Training Advisory Committee members are:

Marjie Alonso
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Somerville, Mass.

Dr. R.K. Anderson
Professor and director emeritus, Animal Behavior Clinic and Center to Study Human/Animal Relationships and Environments, University of Minnesota
Falcon Heights, Minn.

Steve Dale
Dog/cat behavior consultant, radio host, syndicated newspaper columnist
Chicago

Kelly Gorman Dunbar
Dog Star Daily
Berkeley, Calif.

Dr. Dan Estep
Animal Behavior Associates, Inc.
Littleton, Colo.

Dr. Gerrard Flannigan
American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
Greensboro, N.C.

Pam Johnson- Bennett
Cat Behavior Associates, LLC
Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Dr. Jacqui Neilson
CATalyst Council
Portland, Ore.

Dr. Karen Overall
University of Pennsylvania, Center for Neurobiology & Behavior
Philadelphia

Dr. Valli Parthasarathy
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Portland, Ore.

Karen Pryor
Karen Pryor Academy
Waltham, Mass.

Terry Ryan
Legacy Canine Behavior and Training
Sequim, Wash.

Julie Shaw
Senior animal behavior technologist, Purdue University
West Lafayette, Ind.

Mychelle Blake 
Association of Pet Dog Trainers
Las Vegas

Dr. Sophia Yin
San Francisco Veterinary Specialists
San Francisco