In this episode I chat with Emily Strong and Allie Bender, authors of Canine Enrichment for the Real World.
Emily, Allie, and I get to geek out a bit, and chat about things like agency, modal action patterns, and stereotypies in dogs. But of course, we also dive deep into what enrichment really is, and why it matters so much in aggression cases.
AggressiveDog.com Educational Offerings
Aggression in Dogs Conference
Allie Bender:
Allie Bender, CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA is the co-owner and founder of Pet Harmony, LLC and the co-author of Canine Enrichment for the Real World. She believes in working with animals by addressing underlying causes behind undesirable behaviors. She also believes in working with people to find the best solutions for your situation and household.
Allie has been working with rescue groups and shelters since 2006 in various capacities, including founding a student-run organization, Students Helping Rescue Animals, to aid local shelters with fundraising, supplying volunteers and providing education to the public about animal shelter issues.
Allie graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Iowa State University. During her education, she spearheaded a research study exploring the effects of enrichment on stereotypical behavior in shelter dogs. After graduation, Allie was employed with local animal welfare organizations including a humane society and low-cost spay/neuter clinic.
Allie has been training animals professionally since 2012. In 2014 she moved to Utah to work as a dog trainer at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. In 2015 she was promoted to Lead Dog Behavior Consultant. During her time at Best Friends, Allie was fortunate to be invited to speak multiple times at the Best Friends National Conference, make TV and commercial appearances, and provide nationwide behavior and training workshops with esteemed colleagues.
Emily Strong:
Emily Strong, CDBC, CPBT-KA, SBA is co-owner of Pet Harmony, LLC. She is committed to a Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) and science-based approach to training, behavior modification, and teaching people. She loves working with learners of all species, and the list of species she’s worked with so far includes dogs, cats, horses, parrots, ramphastidae, corvids, a wide variety of other bird species, rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, rats, mice, horses, donkeys, pigs, goats, tortoises, leopard geckos, snakes, pygmy octopi, fish, and a few species of insects.
Emily has been working and volunteering in various animal welfare fields since 1990, including several different shelters and rescue groups; as a vet tech in a wide variety of animal hospitals; in stables, aviaries, and wildlife rehabs; as a pet sitter for animals with medical and behavioral special needs; as a freelance journalist and editor; and finally, as a behavior consultant.
In Austin, she co-founded and ran Austin Parrot Society, served on the board of Wings of Love Bird Haven, and served as both the Volunteer Medical Coordinator and a medical and behavioral special needs foster home for Austin Pets Alive!. In 2013 she was offered a job at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah and worked there as a behavior consultant, which is where she met and began collaborating with Allie Bender.
Emily is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), a Certified Professional Bird Trainer through the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE), a Shelter Behavior Affiliate (SBA) through IAABC, and is TAG Teach certified at the primary level.