SPEAKER & CLINICIAN PROFILES - 2012

Watch for updates coming this fall

Jesse James CAS, BIRDWHISPERER, is known for educational and behavioral counseling to Psittacines (scientific name for all three-hundred-and-fifty species of Parrots world wild). Jesse first became interested in Parrots at eight years old, in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England his home town by the seaside. It took Jesse one whole year to save from his pocket money the One Pound Sterling (approx. $2 US in those days) to buy his first pet bird, a Budgie, Young, handsome, green male, called Joey.

1957 Jesse joined the Royal Navy, traveled the world, visiting many exotic places teeming with wonderful, colorful and intelligent Parrots. His love for Parrots grew, in 1970 he purchased from the prestigious Harrods Department store in London England a beautiful little Red Lored Amazon for the very princely sum of forty pounds. (Some $80) - Harrods had a 'retail' zoo on the Seventh floor selling all kinds of pets.

The birth of the BIRDWHISPERER became a reality - starting a small Parrot Behavior counseling and grooming business in Canada. Jesse as the 'BIRDWHISPERER' was soon being solicited to speak at Parrots clubs - through the web site www.birdwhisperer.com. Jesse received e-mails from all over the world. Request to perform 'Parrot behavioral workshops' and presentations across North America along with interviews on live radio and TV soon had Jesse and Jasper becoming media 'celebs'. Parents of troublesome Companion Parrots seek his knowledge and expertise as word of his unique training and handling abilities became known. Jesse does not believe that Parrots bite in anger.  Birdwhisperer Mission Statement: Committed to improve the relationship between pet parrot owners and their trusted feathered companions, through knowledge, patience and understanding with his TLC behavior techniques.

Known for her creative and engaging teaching style, Kathy Cascade believes learning should be fun for both humans and animals alike! Following the completion of the first Tellington TTouch Certification Program for Companion Animals in 1996, Kathy went on to become an Instructor in 2003. She has taught extensively throughout the US, Canada, and in Europe.

One of Kathy’s specialties is working with extremely fearful and reactive dogs. Her compassionate and skillful approach has helped numerous dogs shift from living in a state of fear to feeling safe in the world.

With her professional training and experience in Physical Therapy, she also brings a unique perspective on the neurological and sensory aspects of behavior and learning to her work. Kathy recently relocated to Central Oregon, and shares her home with three dogs, three cats, and two horses!

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.      

Terri  Diener has worked extensively with people and their animal companions since 1995, addressing issues of behavior, grief, health, and wishes about life and death. 

She brings to this practice a varied background in counseling individuals and coaching businesses to enhance their communication, problem solving and negotiation skills. From her work with group and family dynamics, she perceives how animals fit into and reflect the dynamics of their families and is able to help pet owners create comfortable and respectful solutions to issues of mutual concern.

Terri’s formal training includes a Master’s degree from the University of Maryland and practitioner certificates in neurolinguistics and organizational energetics. She is also a lifelong student of alternative healing, animal communication and interpersonal dynamics. Her goal is to facilitate enriched relationships between people and their animal companions, recognizing that this relationship can be one of the most prized and enduring gifts of our lives.   

Lynne Bettinger is a certified American Red Cross instructor and has been teaching pet first aid classes for more than eight years. She is also a dog trainer and Canine Good Citizen evaluator. 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.   Lynne will conduct the CGC testing on Sunday and on Saturday she will offer a free seminar on pet first aid demonstrating CPR techniques for pets, proper bandaging in an emergency situation, disaster planning, and proper ID. Also learn what to include in your pet first aid kit.  

Scott Burgess has been training and breeding dogs since he was a child. He has 28 years of training experience with all breeds of dogs and after so many years in the industry, has learned what methods work and which ones do not.  Has a master trainer he teaches this knowledge to his clients and the general public in order to help them succeed in achieving the goal of a well behaved and balanced dog. He is known in Maryland and throughout the East Coast for handling aggressive dogs and for Hunt & Field training. Throughout his many years of training, he has learned how pack behavior works and exactly how a pack teaches its members and applies the rules. Today, this is known as Dog Psychology. His methods are based on this behavior because every dog is born with this knowledge and responds to it. 

During his seminar, Scott will cover the fundamentals of how to achieve both physical and psychological well-being in your dog. The seminar will also touch on the basics of Hunt and Field training as a form of exercise, as well as touch on both products and proper nutrition. All of these are important factors in having a well-balanced and obedient dog.

Bill Campbell - Special Training Consultant:  Former CEO and owner of K9 Koncepts, Bill is now the special training consultant - finding the answer to special problems that clients have with their dogs. He loves being busy doing what he does best, which is working with the dogs. Just keep him busy and he is happy. Bill's dog, Ajia, is a CD (Companion Dog), CDX (Companion Dog Excellent), Schutzhund 1 National Champion (2009), and Schutzhund 2. A pretty impressive resume! 

Gale Campbell - Owner and CEO of K9 Koncepts:  She has over 30 years of experience training dogs and solving problems. Her role at K-9 Koncepts is overseeing the most talented training staff in the mid-atlantic.

Steve Conard is Education and Outreach Coordinator for Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue. He has had guinea pigs in his life for most of the last 40 years. MGPR specializes in pairing existing pets with spayed and neutered guinea pigs of the opposite sex. This is done at monthly adoption meets using "speed dating for guinea pigs". Steve has been supervising this pairing process for the past 10 years. As a representative of MGPR, he has responded to hundreds of email requests from around the US and world on subjects such as guinea pig general care, behavior and bonding. Steve and his wife Cindy were recently awarded a PAWSitive Impact Award from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria for their work on educating owners of guinea pigs.    

Inez Donmoyer is a Certified Equine Massage Therapist and Reiki Master/Practitioner. She received her undergraduate degree from the College of Notre Dame, and is in the last year of her graduate degree. 

She is an animal advocate and donates her services to local Rescues and Shelters. Before moving to Maryland, she was very active with an animal rescue group. Most of the animals (dogs) rescued were victims of dog fighting and abuse, both as fighting dogs and "bait" dogs. Her role in that organization was that of foster, rehabilitation and retraining. Animals have always been a special passion of hers, specifically horses and dogs. They have been her best teachers in life, offering friendship, service, love, joy, and learnings. Through massage and Reiki she is able to offer healing to the creatures that so often give all of themselves to the humans that have them, be it through sport and competition, therapy work, and/or companionship.

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.  

Kathleen Lester

Pat March has been a credentialed veterinary technician for more than 20 years. She became a veterinary technician specialist in Dentistry in 2007 and was voted in as the President of the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians in 2008. Currently, she works part-time with Dr. Luskin in Annapolis, MD. Pat has taught courses at the local, state and national venues. She loves all animals, but especially dogs and is committed to ensuring their health and happiness by educating the public about oral health. 

Suzanne Mark and her rescued pet companions have been doing ‘Travel with Pets’ seminars nationwide for almost 20 years. Suzanne, a former executive with the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds as well as the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, is a management trouble-shooter/consultant in the Outdoor Hospitality industry and an avid traveler. Her motto- “Home Is Where the Dogs Are”. Suzanne has also authored various articles on both domestic and international travel for various national and regional pet publications.

Center stage will be Diva, a year old Chiweenie who lives up to her name and Wookie, a former stud muffin from a West Virginia puppy mill. They help Suzanne demonstrate the Do’s and Don’ts of travel.

Special emphasis will be on identification/documentation issues, health and safety concerns and overcoming travel jitters. Other topics include packing for the trip, finding and choosing accommodations without sneaking in under the cover of night (or a blanket) and destination choices for pets whose human companions travel with them.  

Dori Mayer  - Very seldom does someone come into your life that can change its direction. Dori’s special needs cat was that someone. Dori started studying a variety of different healing modalities and began incorporating each into the cat’s care. This has led her to become a Reiki Master (2005). In addition she has received certification in Ama Deus (2005). She has studied NeuroModulation Technique (NMT). (Comprehensive Seminar completed in 2007 and Advanced Seminar Levels I & II in 2008). Since her initial introduction to Flower Essences in 2004, Dori has incorporated their use into the care her pets as well as others. Over the years, Dori has amassed a wealth of experiences regarding the artistry of using elemental and blended essences in the care of pets.  

Ann Moore Schultz is a professional groomer with over 35 years of experience and owner of Ann’s JES Grooming in Joppa. September 2010, her first time in a national grooming competition at Groom Expo in Hershey, PA., Ann placed 2nd, level one, All Other Purebred class. Ann is also an instructor of Basic and Advanced pet grooming at Harford Community College. She is a breeder/owner/handler of Welsh terriers and has UKC Top Ten Welsh terriers. She is a member of Harford County Animal Control Commission and President of Northeastern Maryland Kennel Club.

Jennifer Timmons, Regional Poultry Specialist has worked for the University of Maryland Extension since May 2007.  She attended the University of Delaware receiving a BS in Animal Science.  She received her MS and PhD degrees in Food and Agriculture Science from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.  Jennifer has also worked for the poultry industry as a flock supervisor and more recently as a HACCP coordinator.  She assists and supports the state’s poultry industry through research and educational programs to promote sustainable practices that minimize environmental impacts and improve biosecurity awareness and education.  Research interests include dietary strategies to address environmental issues, ammonia control/litter management, and energy usage.  Extension interest include educational and demonstration activities to address broiler industry profitability and environmental compatibility. Dr. Timmons is an Affiliate Faculty Member of the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences.  

Tecla Walton has 24 years of experience as a music educator and over 10 years experience as a dog trainer. Her unique ability to educate dog owners as well as train their dogs is a product of the way she has blended her two worlds. Tecla's deep love for and commitment to the canine species has led her to continually seek out and implement the best training methods for the dogs she trains. She utilizes operant conditioning alongside motivational and traditional training methods to accomplish dog obedience. Her emphasis is on truly teaching the dog and the handler because it is her belief that in this way the relationship between dog and handler can reach its fullest potential. 

Tecla's dog training experience spans the worlds of pet obedience and competitive dog sports alike. She has studied under the top trainers in the world (T Floyd, Sheila Booth, Michael Ellis, Bart Bellon, and Tom Rose), is sought after by top kennels in the country as a puppy imprinting specialist, and holds multiple high-in-obedience, high-in-trial, and high-in-tracking awards. Her dog training business, Angel K-9, LLC is highly recommended by veterinarians, breeders, and rescues in the metro Baltimore-Washington area as well as across the country.