Lorraine Martinez

About me

First name

Lorraine

Last name

Martinez

Summary

Lorraine Martinez, Ph.D., is the Behavior and Training Department Supervisor for the Humane Society of Missouri in Saint Louis. Lorraine earned her doctoral degree in psychology and found a natural niche in the dog training world, where she can combine her interest in animal welfare with her understanding of behavior. Lorraine oversees the large-scale training program that the Humane Society of Missouri offers. The program is unique in the Saint Louis area, offering family dog classes, behavior evaluations, private lessons, and specialty classes for dogs showing fearful or reactive behavior.

More info: 314-802-5709 St. Louis City class information; 636-530-8200 Chesterfield class information; 314-802-5736 direct

Bio

Lorraine always wanted to be a veterinarian when she was a child. When she was in college, though, she became enthralled with the science of psychology and pursued this degree that allowed her to study behavior motivation and change. Although always loving and sharing her home with dogs and other pets, Lorraine did not start her career with animals until 2000, when she began working with a local rescue group in the Oakland, California area while completing post-graduate studies in psychology. After a neighbor died in a tragic car accident and left five dogs without a home, Lorraine contacted the area rescue group. Because several of the dogs who were left homeless had behavior issues, finding homes for them proved difficult. Lorraine began researching the training and behavior modification services available for dogs in this predicament. Through this research she discovered the convergence of the psychology, behavior analysis, and ethology disciplines, and their impact on dog training and behavior modification.

Lorraine’s special interest in working with dogs showing fearful, threatening, or aggressive behavior was fueled when she adopted a beautiful shepherd mix named Grace in 2002. Lorraine began a search for scientifically supported, evidence-based treatment options to treat the aggressive behavior Grace demonstrated when she saw unfamiliar dogs. This search proved to be a distressingly confusing task, since the misinformation about treating behavior issues available to the public was vast. Lorraine is now passionate about educating people and helping them wade through the tremendous amount of behavior modification information.

In her work at the Humane Society of Missouri, first as a volunteer and then as the Supervisor of the Behavior and Training Department, Lorraine has worked with the Greater St. Louis Training Club to develop a special set of classes for dogs displaying fearful, threatening, or aggressive behavior. Lorraine conducts a five hour class that teaches owners how to read their dog’s body postures, how to manage their dog’s behavior to ensure safety, and how to use positive reinforcement-based training to provide their dog with new skills and change their dog’s reaction to unfamiliar objects, noises, people, or dogs.

Qualifications
Lorraine earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Washington-Seattle. She joined the Greater St. Louis Training Club in 2004 and began volunteering as a trainer after completing the training course offered by the Certified Pet Dog Trainers of the club. Lorraine joined the staff of the Humane Society in 2007 to help the Director develop and expand the Pet Training and Behavior department.

Services offered

The Humane Society of Missouri offers a variety of group classes, including Puppy Kindergarten, Family Dog Basics, Family Superdog, Dogs With Issues, Shy Dog, Reactive Dog, Canine Good Citizen preparation, Rally, Tricks, and Novice Obedience.

Behavior evaluations are available to help owners determine the appropriate resources available at the Humane Society of Missouri. Testing for AKC’s Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy is routinely offered. Private training lessons and private behavior consultations are also available. A complete list and description of the classes available at the Humane Society of Missouri is available at www.hsmo.org/pettraining.

Lorraine personally teaches the Dogs With Issues and Reactive Dog classes, as well as a variety of behavior issues and clicker training classes. Lorraine is also available for private consultation and training services, and she conducts many of the behavior evaluations.

Contact information

Street

1201 Macklind Avenue

City

Saint Louis

State/Province

MO

Country

USA

Phone number

314-802-5736

Website

Humane Society of Missouri

Facility & Location Information

Directions

The Humane Society of Missouri provides training at two of its three locations in the Saint Louis area: the St. Louis City Headquarters location and the Chesterfield Valley location.

Location and directions are available at www.hsmo.org/m_aboutus

Veterinarians Nearby

The Humane Society of Missouri houses the largest veterinary medical practice in Missouri, covering three locations in the Saint Louis area: Saint Louis City, Chesterfield Valley, and Maryland Heights. Our Veterinary Medical Centers are accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association and are open to the public. All pets (and their owners!) are welcome in our clinics. You do not need to have adopted a pet from us to use our veterinary services. We provide full-service medical and surgical care that ranges from routine check-ups to specialized diagnostic and surgical services.

More information is available at www.hsmo.org/m_vetcare

History

Member for

1 year 16 weeks