Vermont Dog Behavior

10/21/2026

It seems impossible to wrap up my experience teaching, and learning, at the Protected Contact: Elephant & Camel Training for Dog Professionals workshop last week. I knew this was going to be a unique opportunity, but I had no idea that I would walk away feeling so revitalized.

We had four days filled with presentations, demonstrations, shaping sessions, and deep conversation. Our classroom was a judgement free zone where animal training and behavior was approached with curiosity and collaboration. Aside from getting to work with the elephants and witness their incredible intelligence, we got to experience the awe of simply sharing space with them.

The keepers at the International Conservation Center care for their animals, and each other, deeply. The team, lead by Ayeshah and Tom, is dedicated to creating and maintaining a sustainable conservation program centering the needs of the elephants, camels, and bison that live at the center. That they took the time to welcome us to the facility and share these beautiful animals with us is greatly appreciated.

The opportunity to bring my knowledge and expertise to the table for a diverse group of learners, including the ICC staff, was amazing. I was able to draw so many parallels between protected contact, shaping behavior, and training with kindness and skill, across species. I feel good about the new tools our attendees were able to bring home with them. I feel hopeful about the future of this industry. I am amazed by the people who dedicate their lives to improving the care of captive animals from dogs to elephants.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this inaugural session. Ayeshah, Tom, and I are looking forward to offering more educational opportunities in 2027!

10/14/2026

Hello there everyone! I opened instagram only to realize that I hadn’t made a real post about what I’ve been up to since April 😬 Turns out the role of interim shelter manager at HSCC took up most of my calendar and my brain space.

I have endless appreciation for the hard work being done in animal welfare every single day, and fully immersing myself in it was a really special experience. I’m so happy that I was able to step up and provide additional support to the shelter staff and animals this summer.

In the midst of this I somehow managed to fit in consulting for several local municipalities and other welfare organizations. I did have to stop seeing new training and behavior clients, and this will continue until December or January. When I’m working complex cases those families deserve my full attention.

For the rest of 2026 I’m traveling to consult for several new organizations and teach workshops for other professionals. I promise I’ll do a better job of sharing my adventures from here on out. In the meantime, swipe for a few photos of my summer.

08/25/2026

❓What can elephants teach dog trainers? 🐘🐕

More than you might think! Different species… Same behavioral science.🤗

This October, we’re taking dog trainers outside the traditional dog-training classroom for a hands-on look at what we can learn from the way elephants and camels are trained and managed 🐘🐪

✨Protected Contact Elephant & Camel Training✨ brings together elephant husbandry and behavior expertise with decades of canine behavior experience — and asks one very cool question…

❓What happens when we learn across species? 👀

🐘 October 15–18, 2026
📍 International Conservation Center | Fairhope, PA
🎓 30 CEUs available through CCPDT + IAABC

Led by Thomas Bakke, Curator at the International Conservation Center Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium , with Emily Lewis, CDBC, owner of Emily Lewis .

In collaboration with Humane Innovations | Animal Services Solutions 🥰

➡️Swipe through for a peek at what you’ll learn →
Registration + details at the link in bio!

https://www.pittsburghzoo.org/event/protected-contact-training/

08/24/2026

Want to know how training the world’s largest land mammal can improve your skills for training dogs? Join us for this one of a kind workshop.

We will be creating and implementing training plans with the elephants and their keepers, observing day to day animal husbandry and the incredible protected contact work these folks do, and I’ll be presenting on how we can apply these concepts to fearful and fractious dogs.

CEUs available for IAABC, CCPDT and KPA.

08/06/2026

Protected contact training is critical for any animal care professional. Especially, those working in shelters or with animals who exhibit fearful or aggressive behaviors. At this workshop we will immerse ourselves in the care and training of Bactrian camels and African elephants. Together we will learn how the concepts used to safely work with these giants apply to the handling and training of domestic animals.

CEUs are now available for IAABC, CCPDT, and KPA trainers and behavior consultants. Meals and lodging are included.

Dates: October 15 - 18, 2026

Location: International Conservation Center, Fairhope, PA

To learn more and get signed up: https://www.pittsburghzoo.org/event/protected-contact-training/

07/26/2026

I’m super exited about this learning opportunity. We’re going to be learning from the animals and from each other. It’s a one of its kind event and I can’t wait to see you there. CEUs are available!

Protected Contact Training is critically important for shelters working with dogs who just aren’t ready for touch, for any reason.

Dogs have got to get out of their kennels if they’re going to get better, but we need safe, effective strategies that protect both the dogs and the people working with them.

That’s exactly what this workshop is all about.

I’ll be presenting a session on handling safety, alongside an outstanding group of instructors, and Humane Innovations is proud to be sponsoring the event.

And let’s face it… wouldn’t you love to spend a few days learning alongside elephants? 🐘

If you work in animal shelters, rescue, veterinary medicine, or behavior, I’d encourage you to check it out.

📅 October 15–18, 2026
📍 International Conservation Center, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

More information and registration: https://www.pittsburghzoo.org/event/protected-contact-training/

Vermont Dog Behavior

07/09/2026

We ask a lot of our animal control officers and animal welfare advocates here in Vermont. I am passionate about providing the training that these folks need in order to keep themselves and the animals in their care safe. Thank you to Vermonters Against Animal Cruelty and Abandonment for hosting this workshop, and thank you to each attendee for joining us. My goal was for everyone to walk away with new skills that they could implement immediately in the field.

06/30/2026

In April, I was given the incredible opportunity to visit the International Conservation Center. I was in awe of the facility, the animals, and the dedicated team who cares for them. After speaking with curator Thomas Bakke and director Ayeshah Al-Humaidhi, I realized that the methods they use for animal training and protected contact are remarkably similar to the work I do with dogs. We put our heads together and I am beyond thrilled to finally share this incredible learning experience with you all. Check out the link below for details, this is not something you want to miss!

CEUs available for CCPDT, KPA, with IAABC pending.

https://www.pittsburghzoo.org/event/protected-contact-training/

04/27/2026

I had an incredible experience at the conference, connecting with global colleagues, learning new ideas, and rediscovering my passion. I was thrilled to speak at the pre-conference workshop about our behavior program and present alongside and Christen, our shelter manager, and Ro our behavior coordinator. Sharing our accomplishments at HSCC was a highlight. Later, I presented on handling complex cases at the main conference, enjoying the opportunity to share knowledge and support fellow professionals. Big shoutout to for hosting the shelter night and helping us to find ways to prioritize our wellbeing. Thanks to everyone involved for making this event unforgettable. Can't wait for next year!

03/22/2026

Did you know I am speaking at the Losing Lulu Summit 2026? Losing Lulu is a grief support group for those who have experienced or been impacted by behavioural euthanasia. While awareness of behavioural euthanasia is growing, it is still often considered a taboo topic. The Losing Lulu Summit 2026 will be held online, and will be completely free to attend live.


At the Summit, I will be presenting on Behavioural Euthanasia in the Shelter or Rescue, with my talk titled: Making Hard Decisions in Shelter and Rescue. You can learn more about the Summit here: https://www.losinglulu.com/losing-lulu-summit-2026

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