Dr.Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB
Dr. Kristina Spaulding has been in the dog training and behavior profession for over 20
years. She owns Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior LLC. She has a B.S. in wildlife
ecology and a PhD in biopsychology—the study of the biological basis of behavior—and is a
Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. As part of her graduate training, Dr. Spaulding was
formally trained in effective teaching techniques. In graduate school, she received an award for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student. She is currently a co-instructor for the graduate level course in animal behavior consulting at Virginia Tech.
Dr. Spaulding’s interest in teaching has carried over to her applied behavior work where she
teaches a variety of online courses and webinars on the science of behavior through her website, www.sciencemattersllc.com. Dr. Spaulding also regularly presents on canine
behavior science at conferences and other events. She is the author of The Stress Factor
in Dogs: Unlocking Resiliency and Enhancing Well-Being.
She is particularly interested in stress, neurobiology, cognition, emotion, and well-being and how to apply these concepts to the prevention, early intervention, and treatment of behavior problems in dogs.
In 2019, Dr. Spaulding received the Association of Professional Dog Trainer’s (APDT’s) Member of the Year Award. She currently serves on the IAABC Foundation Board.
Dr. Erica Feuerbacher, PhD, BCBA-D, CAAB, CPDT-KA
Dr. Erica Feuerbacher is an Associate Professor in Animal & Poultry Sciences at
Virginia Tech and director of the Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare Lab, where she focuses her research on dogs and horses. She also coordinates the online Masters
program in Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare at Virginia Tech. She earned her Ph.D.
in Psychology at the University of Florida in the UF Canine Cognition and Behavior Lab
and her Master’s in Behavior Analysis at the University of North Texas in the
Organization for Reinforcement Contingencies with Animals. She is a Certified Applied
Animal Behaviorist, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and a Certified Professional
Dog Trainer. Her research and publications focus on understanding domestic animal
behavior and learning from a behavior analytic perspective, using applied animal
behavior to solve behavioral issues in dogs and horses, and identifying interventions
that improve shelter dog welfare. She is passionate about humane, effective animal
training, and working with owners, trainers, and shelter staff to improve our interactions
with animals.
Dr. Taylor Miller, DVM, MS
Bio Coming Soon!
Meet our 2023 speakers!
IT ALL STARTS HERE...
BRINGING BEHAVIOR INTO PRACTICE
2023 CLINICAL ANIMAL BEHAVIOR CONFERENCE
Allie Bender, CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA
Allie Bender, CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA is the founder and co-owner of Pet Harmony Animal Behavior Training, co-author of Canine Enrichment for the Real World, and co-host of the Enrichment for the Real World Podcast. Through Pet Harmony, Allie helps pets who display maladaptive behaviors and their
people have a more harmonious household all over the world. She also empowers and educates other current and aspiring behavior professionals to provide outstanding services to their clients while growing a sustainable business.
Allie is a national speaker, published author, an animal welfare advocate, and has made radio, podcast, commercial, and TV appearances. She has been working in animal welfare since 2006 in various capacities, including founding a student-run animal welfare organization. Allie started dog training professionally in 2012 and by 2015 became the lead dog behavior consultant for a large, multi-species
animal sanctuary. Allie has a BS in Animal Science from Iowa State University and is certified through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and the Council for Certification of Professional Dog Trainers.
Allie lives in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois with her husband, dog- Oso- and turtle, Zorro.
Dr. Karen van Haaften, DVM, DACVB
Karen van Haaften is a board-certified veterinary behaviorist who provides
behavioral health support for the ASPCA network of shelters, veterinary hospitals, and outreach programs. She is a graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College and completed her residency at the University of California at Davis. She loves working in shelter medicine because of the potential to positively impact the lives of so many animals and people. Her research interests primarily focus on the use of psychoactive medications to improve the welfare & behavioral outcomes for sheltered animals.
Danielle Bolm RVT, LVT, KPA CTP, VTS
Danielle graduated from The Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her
associate degree in Veterinary Technology in 2007. She was born and raised in the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan, after graduation from the Vet Tech Institute, she moved to
Cleveland, Ohio, where she worked in emergency and general practice for a total of 10 years. During her 10 years in practice, she became passionate about animal behavior
and started to dedicate herself to it. Since 2016 to 2022, she has worked in veterinary
practices that were only limited to behavior. Her interest in behavior led her to become a
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner in 2017 and she finished her journey to
become a Veterinary Technician Specialty in Behavior in the fall of 2021. Her behavioral
interests are, but not limited to, aggression, reactivity, and resolving fear-related issues
in horses.
In July 2022, Danielle opened her own behavior consulting business in Howell Michigan, Dedication-N-Behavior.