Alasdair (Al) Bunyan, KPA CTP, first heard about the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program when he attended ClickerExpo. There, he spoke with Linda Ryan about the program, ultimately enrolling in the DTP International program and completing it in 2016 at Leeds Dogs Trust Rehoming Center (United Kingdom)—with Linda as his instructor!
Imogen Poropat, KPA CTP, learned about Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) and the KPA Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program when she was applying for jobs in the dog-training world. Certification as a KPA Certified Training Partner (CTP) was often listed as a preferred qualification in job postings. With a master’s degree in Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare from Newcastle University in England, Imogen had a strong academic background in behavior science but reports that she was “looking for something that would improve my practical application.”
By the time Miki Saito, KPA CTP, enrolled in the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) World program with Terry Ryan , she had met and interacted with many KPA faculty members. Miki says that Terry Ryan and Ken Ramirez, in particular, changed her life.
A veterinary nurse, Leah Bria, KPA CTP, transitioned to animal training after teaching puppy preschool classes at the vet clinic where she was employed. After hearing about the course from a coworker, Leah enrolled in the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Foundations course; ultimately, she completed the KPA Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program and received certification. Leah completed the DTP program in Adelaide, South Australia, in 2019 with Alexis Davison.
Rose Browne, KPA CTP, the Owner and Lead Puppy Trainer at Dynamic Canines Inc., was the first Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner in St. John’s in the Canadian province Newfoundland and Labrador. A dog trainer since 1995 and a positive-training convert, she first learned about Karen Pryor Academy via the internet in 2009, Rose enrolled in the KPA Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) International program in the fall of 2011, finishing in the spring of 2012.
Hu Wang, KPA CTP, changed careers to improve the image of dogs in Chinese society. A TV producer in Beijing, Hu felt frustrated and helpless when he covered stories that focused only on problems caused by dogs. “As a lifelong dog lover, I knew that shouldn’t be the whole story, but I didn’t know how I could help when society lacked understanding of canine behavior.”
Marsha Penner, KPA CTP, was pretty much a dog training novice when she first attended ClickerExpo “to see what it was all about.” She had just started as a group training class assistant , but “knew very little about anything.” From “not knowing a soul” back then, Marsha now reports that some of her dearest friends are people she met at that Expo conference. “We are in close contact and try to see each other at Expo and outside of EXPO when we can.”
Michelle Wieser, KPA CTP, lives in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, a remote northern area near Alaska. She first became involved in dog training as a teenager, sharing that interest with her mother. “My mother was involved in our local dog training club. She and I were very close. We read training books together, competed in obedience and agility, and met new friends in the dog sport training community. Sadly, my mother passed away from cancer in 2010,” Michelle shares.
Vijay Joshi, KPA CTP, is the Puppy Development Coordinator at Leader Dogs for the Blind, a guide-dog training organization. She also offers dog-training services to private clients. Vijay learned about Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) and the Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program from a KPA CTP when she was a volunteer puppy-raiser at Leader Dogs for the Blind. “The more I learned about teaching my puppy, the more I wanted to improve my skills,” she explains.
Jennifer Long, KPA CTP, was working at a local animal shelter and contemplating a certification program to further her interest in animal training and behavior. A veterinary behaviorist who was advising Jen and the shelter suggested the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program. Jen says, “I’m forever grateful. That was the best advice, as it reshaped my entire career direction.”
