American Humane Association Establishes Animal Behavior and Training Advisory Committee

Appoints Leading Animal Behavior Experts From Across the Nation

DENVER, May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Humane Association has recruited an Animal Behavior and Training Advisory Committee — composed of representatives of major national organizations and key opinion leaders in the field of animal behavior and training — which met for the first time today in Minneapolis.

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Establishment of the Advisory Committee is one of the actions taken by American Humane's board of directors and management team to create a new culture of collaboration and partnership by joining and participating in coalitions of organizations to derive the most good for the broadest number of constituencies.

"American Humane is committed to the honorable values and principles that we have carried for more than 130 years," said George Casey, interim president and CEO of American Humane. "We intend to reflect a firm recommitment through open and collaborative initiatives, such as this Committee and the programs under its purview. It is our objective, as an organization, to increasingly be viewed as a valuable and meaningful repository and source of information that will grow professional capacity and competency in expanding human-animal interactions awareness and work."

Chaired by Dr. Marie S. McCabe, senior vice president of American Humane's Human-Animal Interactions Program, the Advisory Committee will:

• Oversee and provide guidance for an upcoming National Pet Dog Training Summit.
• Provide content and editorial advice and oversight for the American Humane Animal Behavior Resources Institute Online.
• Provide advice, direction, oversight and guidance related to ongoing objectives for American Humane's Human-Animal Interactions programs that are consistent with the topics of animal behavior and training.
• Assist in developing principles and position statements to be adopted by American Humane.

"American Humane is committed to providing value to those involved with human-animal interactions by helping to build competency and capacity for professionals, as well as by being an advocate for those in the profession," said McCabe. "Thus, our advisory committees serve a key role by harnessing the expertise and experience of members, developing science-based positions, and setting the direction for American Humane's focus and programs."

The Animal Behavior and Training Advisory Committee members are:

Marjie Alonso

International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

Somerville, Mass.

Dr. R.K. Anderson

Professor and director emeritus, Animal Behavior Clinic and Center to Study Human/Animal Relationships and Environments, University of Minnesota

Falcon Heights, Minn.

Steve Dale

Dog/cat behavior consultant, radio host, syndicated newspaper columnist

Chicago

Kelly Gorman Dunbar

Dog Star Daily

Berkeley, Calif.

Dr. Dan Estep

Animal Behavior Associates, Inc.

Littleton, Colo.

Dr. Gerrard Flannigan

American College of Veterinary Behaviorists

Greensboro, N.C.

Pam Johnson-Bennett

Cat Behavior Associates, LLC

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Dr. Jacqui Neilson

CATalyst Council

Portland, Ore.

Dr. Karen Overall

University of Pennsylvania, Center for Neurobiology & Behavior

Philadelphia

Dr. Valli Parthasarathy

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior

Portland, Ore.

Karen Pryor

Karen Pryor Academy

Waltham, Mass.

Terry Ryan

Legacy Canine Behavior and Training

Sequim, Wash.

Julie Shaw

Senior animal behavior technologist, Purdue University

West Lafayette, Ind.

Mychelle Blake

Association of Pet Dog Trainers

Las Vegas

Dr. Sophia Yin

San Francisco Veterinary Specialists

San Francisco

About American Humane

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link^® between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane's office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the "No Animals Were Harmed"^® end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane's office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. The American Humane^® Certified farm animal program is the nation's original independent certification and labeling program for humanely raised food. American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America's "Best in America" Seal of Approval, has met the stringent standards for financial efficiency and accountability required by the American Institute of Philanthropy to qualify as a Top-Rated Charity, and has received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.

SOURCE American Humane Association