Board of Directors

Melanie Benware is a Certified Dog Trainer through The Tom Rose School of Professional Dog Trainers in St. Louis, Missouri as well as having her Certified Dog Trainer (CDT), Certified Dog Trainer Advanced (CDTA), and Professional Dog Training Instructor (PDTI) through the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP). Melanie has been training dogs for over 15 years. She has spent the last three years living in Ireland, hosting workshops for trainers from all over the world, volunteering at the Dublin SPCA, and working with clients around Ireland. Before her time in Ireland, Melanie helped run the training program for one of the nation’s oldest and largest kennels in Richmond, Virginia and volunteered her time as a trainer/foster for Ring Dog Rescue. Before professionally training dogs, she trained for a Labrador rescue in St. Louis, Missouri. She is delighted to be back in Richmond to run her own business: Kindred K9 Solutions. Melanie is dedicated to helping dogs develop and maintain a healthy, happy, and balanced relationship with their families.

Melanie was honored to receive the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) Ambassador award in 2013 and serve on the IACP Conference Committee since 2014. She was elected to the IACP Board of Directors in 2015 and also served as Vice President for IACP in 2017 and 2018 before being elected President for the 2019 term.

In her spare time, she enjoys scuba diving with her husband and hiking with their four dogs; Mongo, a German Shepherd; Zhenga, a South African Boerboel; Bogart, a Bull Mastiff; and Autumn, a Lurcher.

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Jeff’s introduction to dogs with behavioral issues started as a young child. Jeff’s family seemed to have a knack for bringing dogs into their home that others had given up on. Bailey, one of Jeff’s childhood dogs, unknowingly showed him how dogs could overcome traumatic events with time and guidance. The seeds had been planted but the idea of working with dogs didn’t come until later in his life after Jeff’s first personal dog was hit by a car. After this event, Jeff’s wife insisted on getting a Bullmastiff. Having no idea what that was, Jeff started researching breeds, and that unlocked a thirst for knowledge that has yet to be quenched.

Jeff’s sister was the one who originally suggested he start training dogs after overhearing a conversation of breeds during a Thanksgiving dinner. Even though it was laughed about at the time, it was the spark that started everything. Jeff’s career began by volunteering with local shelter dogs, which quickly progressed into private lessons and group classes. As his reputation started to grow, he took a part time job with a local veterinarian, with the goal of being able to learn more about the medical side of dogs. This opportunity allowed Jeff to have a foundation in the medical world as well as the training world. People who have never lived with a dog with behavior issues don’t typically understand the stress associated with it. Jeff’s personal experience with challenging dogs has helped him connect with his clients and help him achieve great results. Experience is the best teacher.

Jeff is a Certified Dog Trainer (IACP-CDT), a mentorship site for Animal Behavioral College, and an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Jeff and his beautiful wife, Gillian, own and operate Off the Beaten Trail: Canine Facility, located in gorgeous Northern VT. They have two handsome boys, Parker and Jason, as well as two lovely dogs, Ellie, a Bullmastiff and Lexi, an Australian Shepherd/Newfoundland mix.

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Rick Alto is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a graduate of the National K9 School for Dog Trainers in Columbus, Ohio. He has been a Canine Professional for 10 years and has been a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals, (IACP) since 2012.

Rick's journey with dog training started when he was 10 years old when his Mom brought home a Standard Poodle named Samantha, who had been retired from the show ring due to a congenital hip defect. Sam needed to learn ALL the basics, to even include how to go up and down stairs and how to just “be a dog”.

After a 36-year career as a Special Agent in federal law enforcement, Rick decided to “retire” and pursue his passion and fulfill his dream by entering the world of dog training full-time. As a dog trainer, he is dedicated to positive and effective training solutions that are balanced and fair for the dog. Rick is equally committed to furthering his education, so that he is able to offer the best possible training options and methods.

Rick is an AKC Canine Good Citizen and Star Puppy Evaluator, Volhard Dog Nutrition Affiliate, Behavior Modification Volunteer at the Animal Rescue League of Boston, Volunteer for the Dennis Police Department, Volunteer for Friends of Cape Wildlife and was appointed by the Town of Brewster Select Board as a member of the Brewster Dog Park Committee.

In his spare time, Rick enjoys leisurely back road rides on his Harley Davidson, honing his firearms skills at a local range, and most importantly, exploring Cape Cod beaches and nature trails with his Belgian Malinois, Tia.

Rick is excited to join the Board of Directors for the IACP and is looking forward to continuing to grow the IACP as the premier professional organization for canine professionals.

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Tracy Atkins, CDT, CDTA, PDTI, has been training other people’s dogs since 1989 when she volunteered for a local animal shelter.

Tracy honed her craft in professional dog training with Guide Dogs of Texas, GDT starting in 1990. There she offered her skills as a Puppy Walker, Puppy Walker Supervisor, Dallas/Fort Worth Volunteer Coordinator and Guide Dog Puppy Evaluator until 1994. She continued to serve as a lecturer and Combined Federal Campaign Fund Raising speaker for Guide Dogs of Texas until 2001.

She was honored to be a guest lecturer for the Psychology Department of the prestigious Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, instructing students of both human and animal behavior the practical application of operant conditioning.

Her vast list of clients includes professional athletes, entertainment producers, children's television creators, prominent business people, veterinarians, retired couples, veterans, public servants, stay-at-home parents and everyone in-between. Tracy is respected by her clients due to her ability to identify and explain behavioral and developmental issues. Her focused, fun, clear manner makes it easy to follow her program to achieve rapid results.

For thirty years Tracy has helped her clients by applying a wholistic approach to problem solving. Using eclectic techniques, knowledge, and experience, she is able to direct appropriate and complementary training regimes for each individual dog and owner. Tracy seeks to teach each owner the joy of a well-trained, well-mannered best friend.

Tracy and her family reside outside of Houston, Texas. Her three best dog friends are three best dog friends are Redie, Willing and Mabel (a working Therapy Dog).

Tracy joined the IACP in 2000, attending many annual conferences. In 2015, she was awarded an Ambassadorship for IACP. She looks forward to continuing her involvement in the IACP as a Board Member.

Tracy Atkins, CDT, CDTA, PDTI

Complete Canine Training, LLC and YesPup
The Woodlands, Texas
Phone/Text: (281) 825-6404
www.YESPUP.com

• IACP - Professional #1093
• IACP Ambassador
• IACP Certified Dog Trainer - Advanced
• IACP Certified Professional Dog Training Instructor
• AKC - CGC Evaluator #6632
• AKC Certified S.A.F.E.
• Barkleigh - Sanitation Certified

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Glenn Cooke, has been successfully training people and their dogs for more than 28 years. His expertise ranges from running and managing large training facilities, through to serving on boards in the pet and training industry and co-hosting one of the world’s most successful training podcasts.

Over the expanse of his career, Glenn has learned that to achieve the best and most reliable results, emphasis should always be placed on training the handlers of the dogs first. Once an owner is both comfortable and confident with what needs to be done, the dog will be a willing and enthusiastic participant as it enhances the ability to communicate effectively.

Glenn places great importance on the bond between handler and dog and for that reason, uses enjoyable and highly motivating techniques when training. This approach ensures that both dog and owner are happy and that long-term success is achieved.

Glenn currently oversees two of Sydney’s premier dog boarding and training facilities (Pet Resorts Australia), located in Dural and Terrigal, and has a long-standing career in the professional pet care and training industry.

Some of Glenn’s roles include; PSA competitor, trial judging for nose works, aggression management, puppy raising and development, socialisation and environmental conditioning, temperament assessment, advanced obedience, film and television, behavioural problem solving, and the advanced training of working dogs. Glenn is also regularly called on as an expert consultant in court hearings for problematic dogs.

Using common sense techniques Glenn is able to quickly target and correct problem behaviours in dogs such as destructive chewing, digging, barking, jumping up and people and/or animal aggression. He is also experienced in de-sensitising dogs to fears and anxieties that may result from many conditions during the dog’s upbringing.

Glenn is highly proficient and dedicated to helping owners manage ‘problem’ dogs, ensuring that they become a welcome, well-loved and long-term part of the family pack – both human and canine.

Glenn has formal qualifications in Dog Behaviour and Assessment, has a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and is an active member of the National Dog Trainers Federation – a representative and educational organisation for the dog training industry, which has now become the national representative body in Australia for dog trainers from all fields. As part of his role with the NDTF, Glenn trains and lectures to students for the qualification of ‘Certificate III: in professional Dog Training and Behaviour’, and has assisted in training over a thousand students in this role.

Glenn has an active belief that trainers should always be upskilling their knowledge and always learning what’s new and what’s possible. It’s not enough to do one training style under one person and call it complete. Training dogs is a serious profession that requires trainers to have up to date knowledge in behaviour and modern methodologies.

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Adam Gibson is a graduate and Certified Master Trainer through Tarheel Canine (Formerly Northstate Academy). He started his company Top Dog Texas LLC. in 2005 and in that time has trained a great variety of different dogs and programs including Police K9’s, trick dog classes, nose work detection classes, service dogs for many different disabilities, and of course countless pet dogs. He currently stays very busy training Diabetic Alert Dogs for Type 1 Diabetics, but his training facility continues to offer various pet dog training programs.

In the last five years Adam’s desire to help the next generation of dog trainers has taken him into some new directions, and he’s had over one hundred students come through his various seminars, workshops, and shadow programs. It’s because of this that Adam hopes to help the IACP continue to become an organization that fosters development of new and aspiring trainers.

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John Imler walked away from a successful position at a Fortune 500 company and turned a lifelong passion of working with animals into a career.