SPEAKER & CLINICIAN PROFILES

Lynne Bettinger is a certified American Red Cross instructor and has been teaching pet first aid classes for more than six years. Her company, Sundown Ridge, Ltd., is an authorized provider of those classes. She has trained a wide variety of students from pet owners to pet sitters and veterinary staff to animal control officers.

Affectionately known as “Aunt Jeni” to an ever-growing family of pets and their owners, Jennifer Boniface is perhaps the most qualified of a growing number of entrepreneurs in the world of Animal Nutrition.  Boniface’s academic credentials set her apart from others venturing into the manufacture of natural diets, treats and supplements for pets.

Having obtained her Bachelors degree in Animal Science (University of Maryland, 1985), Boniface held a series of positions within the USDA.

In graduate school, Boniface studied an endangered South American species called the Maned Wolf, conducting her research through the National Zoo in Washington, DC.  Through her efforts, a special diet was developed to address some genetic health conditions which she found to be responsive to her dietary management.  For this work, (“Dietary Control of Cystinuria in Maned Wolves”) Boniface received her Masters degree in Animal Nutrition Science (University of Maryland, 1998).

Even before officially graduating, Boniface was busy developing her own line of pet products, based on her firmly held belief that a holistic approach to pet care is highly effective. “First do no harm,” quotes Boniface, “and that describes my philosophy perfectly. Why not try an alternative remedy or a dietary supplement that you know will not hurt your pet, before resorting to harsher drugs and chemicals with their unwanted side effects?”

With one foot planted in the academic/scientific community and the other exploring the world of holistic, alternative treatments, Boniface found herself in a position to combine the best of both worlds into something special and different. Having created products that answer a real need for people who want the best for their pets, Boniface named her company Aunt Jeni’s Home Made, and launched her unique pet food, treats and supplements on the market.

The company’s state-of-the-art facility is unique in the industry. The privately owned plant is FDA-registered, inspected and approved for pet food manufacturing. Using highly sophisticated, custom built equipment, every facet of production is closely controlled. The recent addition of a new, larger dehydrator is slated to assist in the expansion of the company’s organic, grain-free, low-fat line of dehydrated dog treats. Their flagship treat, Dogitos®, was an instant hit: one taste and dogs are “roped in,” as the slogan says. Their new line of Snackers Fruit & Veggie Chips has just been introduced, and is already tremendously popular. Boniface is adamant that none of their diets or treats is ever contracted out (known as “co-packing”)."We’ve always been very proud of that fact, and it’s become even more important in the wake of the recent pet food recalls. There is truly no other pet food facility like ours, anywhere!"

The internationally acclaimed Boogie Woogie BowWows have performed for packed houses at theaters throughout the United States, including the National Theatre in Washington D.C. With a goal of exposing families to the fun of live performances, the BowWows created a fast-paced theater show in which a Standard Poodle & Long-Hair Dachshund leap, weave, ride a skateboard and jump through hoops all to the beat of the music.

Winning smiles from thousands of audience members, this popular show has received praise from Reader's Digest & The Washington Post as well as invitations to perform in England & Europe. Be sure to bring your dance shoes, because several members of the audience will be invited to join the dogs on stage!

Kathy Cascade - A graduate of the first two year TTouch Certification Course in 1996, Kathy is now an Instructor in the program. With the goal of creating a positive and fun learning environment for both animals and humans alike, Kathy has shared her creative and humorous teaching style in workshops and seminars across the US, Canada, and in Europe. In addition to her work with animals, Kathy is also a licensed Physical Therapist with extensive experience in neurological disorders and rehabilitation. She shares her home with three dogs, five cats, and five horses in Stillwater, OK. 

Christina Chambreau, DVM is an internationally known homeopathic veterinarian. She graduated from the University of Georgia Veterinary College in 1980, began using homeopathy in her veterinary practice in 1983, and has used primarily homeopathy since 1988. A dynamic teacher, Dr. Chambreau is a founder of the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy and is on the faculty of the National Center for Homeopathy Summer School. She also teaches her own 1 and 2 day courses and lectures at conventions, schools, clubs and to anyone who is concerned about improving the health of animals.

PetSpeak is an animal communication practice by Terri Diener where she brings the animal and human world one step closer by bridging both worlds and promoting a mutual respect between animals and their human friends. Terri nurtures the relationships between animals and humans and expands the awareness of animals as intelligent, feeling, spiritual beings. Terri’s formal training includes a Master’s degree from the University of Maryland and practitioner certificates in neurolinguistics and organizational energetics. Her goal is to facilitate enriched relationships between people and their animal companions.

Debbie Ducommun, known as “The Rat Lady”, is internationally recognized as an expert on domestic rats.  She founded The Rat Fan Club in 1992 and publishes the club’s monthly newsletter, the Rat Report.  She has a BA in Animal Behavior.

Ducommun is author of the book Rats! Practical, Accurate Advice from the Expert, published by Bowtie Press in 1998, and revised a republished in 2001.  She also writes the Rat Health Care booklet, which is in its 12th edition and has sold over 11,000 copies.  Because of her extensive knowledge of rat health,  Ducommun is consulted by veterinarians.  Since 1997 she has also written a column on small animals for Pet Business magazine. 

Joy Freedman is a Dog Behaviorist and Obedience instructor who has been training dogs and changing the behavior in their owners for over a decade!

She has appeared on Fox45 morning news, and is the featured Dog expert on several Baltimore radio shows, including, The Ed Norris show and The Kirk and Mark show, both heard on WHFS,105.7. Joy has had the privilege of working backstage and on stage with Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer!!

Joy is the staff dog behaviorist and writes the Ask the Trainer column for Baltimore's only publication dedicated to Charm City's canines!! Baltimore Dog!  Joy trained with the National Institute of Dog Training and is an AKC certified CGC evaluator. She specializes in correcting aggression and anxiety behaviors, and is the owner of 4 Paws Pet Services.

Richard Patton, PhD - An internationally known expert in animal nutrition, Dr. Patton has served as a consultant for hundreds of businesses throughout the US and 20 other countries since 1980. Having authored twenty-eight scientific publications, established two patents and presented numerous papers at scientific meetings, Dr. Patton's emphasis has always been on quality ingredients and keeping animals healthy. In helping position companies like K-9 Kraving for the marketplace, his focus has always been on what best benefits the animal and the owner

One of the leading experts on organic minerals in animal nutrition and a pioneer researcher in nutrition during late gestation, he has served as a consultant in Japan, Australia, Ireland, Spain, Egypt, Korea, Belgium, Austria, Mexico, Singapore, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Canada, Thailand, Italy, Denmark, Portuga and the Czech Republic. EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Pennsylvania State University ; Master of Science in Reproductive Physiology, Purdue University; Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; and Business studies at Washburn University, Topeka, KS.

Daren M. Roa, DVM
Dr. Daren Roa is a co-owner and specialty surgeon with Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists providing specialty surgery in the following areas: Orthopedic, Arthroscopy, Radiosurgery, Spinal / Neurosurgery as well as Soft Tissue Surgical Cases (Reconstructive, Oncologic, Abdominal, Cardiac and Thoracic).  

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Biology - University of Pennsylvania; Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, Summa Cum Laude - University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine; Small Animal Internship - Animal Medical Center in New York City; Residency Program - University of Tennessee