IACP Members Hall of Fame

Jay Stull was a raised on a farm outside St. Louis, Missouri. Like most of the local farm boys, he woke up early, took care of farm animals and then was off to school. Once he returned home, the usual farm chores were to be repeated, homework to be completed and then off to the neighboring farm for an evening of fishing. That neighboring farm was owned by Pete Litzsinger. For those of you that do not know who Pete Litzsinger is, he was trainer that had made a name for himself training retrievers for in the field and for hunt test. Some of these dogs went on to national hunt test championships. Of an evening, Jay would take his fishing pole and walk over to Pete's lake to fish and watch Pete train dogs. As Jay grew up, Pete started letting Jay help him with the dogs and Pete would make suggestions to Jay on how to help set up the dogs for more success. At this point, Jay was hooked on dog training. Jay's mother said Jay would bring home stray dogs and practice training them. Jay's parents never knew when a new dog would be “following him home” from school.

Throughout Jay's adult life, he continued to train dogs for all types of purposes. At one point, he owned a Pet Store. He gained knowledge and experience in retail. Later on, he would take dogs that were deemed dangerous and scheduled to be put to sleep due to their aggressive nature and train them to guard businesses. Jay always helped rescue organizations with dogs they were unsure of how to handle. One of those rescue dogs became well known as Jay's side kick. The Belgian Malinois, Jilly, seen in newspaper articles and seminars Jay attended is now retired and living on the Stull farm.

Jay became one of the 10 founders of IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals). Jay believed in the mission statement of IACP and worked very hard at trying to keep IACP on task fulfilling the mission statement and living by the bylaws. Jay believed in high professional standards and work ethics. Jay spent many years on the Board Of Directors of IACP and even after resigning from the board, spent many hours a day on the phone or writing emails to help further support IACP's mission statement. Shortly after the formation of IACP, Jay moved home to help take care of his aging parents and to run the Stull Farm. With the help of his wife, Jay started a boarding, grooming and training center on the farm called The Dawg Trainer. Jay trained many dogs to title in the sports of obedience and field trails. Jay handled some of those dogs himself at field trails but what he enjoyed the most was teaching the dog's owners to handle and title their own dogs. The clients enjoyed the education presented with intelligence, patience and laughter.

In August of 2006, Jay co-founded CPAC (Canine Political Action Corps) to help work on legislation affecting the business of dog trainers and dog groomers. This organization worked hard to insure individuals working in the fields of training and grooming had someone to protect their livelihood. Pulling from his past experience working on legislation for businesses in the state of Florida, Jay traveled from state to state when legislation was introduced. Jay met with legislators and helped to educate them in how to reach the results they were looking for when writing the legislation and to also safeguard other trainers and groomers.

Jay became a well rounded and highly respected dog trainer. Throughout the years, people came from all over to spend some time learning from Jay. Jay always had time for someone with an open and willing mind to help expand their knowledge of dogs and dog training. Jay believed in high professional standards and was willing to help anyone to reach those standards. Every person that crossed the threshold of The Dawg Trainer was met with a smile and the feeling of there was plenty of time to be spent working through any problems they felt they had.

Earlier this year we lost a man who was not just synonymous with dogs in Baton Rouge but he was dogs. His reputation was without equal. A man of humor, a man of wit and a man of stories. Dick would entertain and teach whenever those fortunate to be guests were in his company. He was a man of the country and his country could not be, without dogs.

Outspoken and often dare I say combative in his beliefs he was always welcoming and hospitable to those wanting to learn. His yielding and paper plate techniques have been used and quoted throughout the membership of IACP. His words bringing wisdom and knowledge to all who read and listened to him. He had a way of explaining training in a way that had you intrigued, mesmerised and wanting to learn. A blend of old world country cooking and dog psychology with just that special touch of human understanding that had you listening and remembering and even more wanting to work with him. He knew how to reach a trainer and his door was always open.

Always one to teach and share, Dick in his later years went on a search for two trainers to take over his work. It would take two because Dick did the work easily of more than two. He found them in Larry Benoit and Michael Davis who are here today to receive this Hall of Fame on his behalf. We miss you Dick.

Big George is a diamond in the rough. States his mind, looks tough  and can be tough, but underneath beats a true professional and a heart of gold. Throughout the development of IACP and now today he takes on important responsibilities to assist and guide the development of the Association – a past Director and definitely proud supporter and worker for IACP through lists, regional groups and education of members.  Not only is he a true professional in his manner but also one of the most knowledgeable and skilled dog men

This award really goes to a man and his dog – one we will never forget TUG. Big George – you are the best.

Mary officially entered the world of professional dog training over 35 years ago and has never looked back. Mary is a ‘teachers teacher’, having individually mentored dozens of other successful dog trainers who now own their own dog training businesses across the USA. And it is this skill she has brought to the IACP for the benefit of all.

Not one just to ask of education from others she wanted to show she could also pass the examinations and She is certified by IACP as an advanced Dog Trainer & Instructor – CDTI; serves on the Education Committee as an evaluator for Trainer Certification; and is on the L.E.A.S.H. Advisory Panel of the IACP.

Mary was named "IACP Member of the Year in 2010". Mary is a co- founder of the International Association of Canine Professionals and is endorsed by the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors. As a co-founder of IACP she has been active and involved throughout where her work has forged new dimensions in the education of trainers. Her dedication and passion for helping others has made her the member we all admire, respect and love.

Vivian entered her first dog show in 1963 and has never looked back. Her performance and abilities with a dog demonstrate her natural affinity and skills to the full. I feel honored to have actually had her on one of my course. I learned a lot. A constant teacher and a founder member of IACP – her goal in life has been to educate not just dogs but also people. Her services to IACP have been broad and deep with everything from moderating lists to running booths at exhibitions to assisting with certification – a subject dear to her. IACP often repeats her mantra, "Whatever Works."

About Vivian

• Member NADOI & IACP
• Showing in Obedience Competition since 1963
• Owner/Trainer of: GSDs: Misty UD, Sassy CDX (homebred), Carla CDX
• Border Collies: Sandy UD Can CD, Joker UD Can CDX,
• U-UD COSMO UD Can CD and U-CDX Goniff UD (2 UDX legs)

Cyndy Douan - a Co-Founder of IACP had been a driving force and participating member from the inception of IACP. Cyndy is not only a gifted trainer but also a dedicated worker for everything dog. It is her dedication, hard work and determination to do the right thing by dogs and IACP that deservedly had Cyndy receiving this induction into the IACP Member Hall of Fame. Cyndy Douan, as Education Director of the IACP, developed and promoted Certifications for dog trainers and instructors which are aimed at raising the standards for dog training. She also was President of the IACP bringing together a strong management role to the function.

Cyndy's aim is always to create a greater awareness of the importance of training and trainers and the high standards required from the profession. A keen agility competitor and companion dog trainer, Cyndy through her work continues to raise the bar for others to achieve, and in doing so creating confidence in the profession from the dog owning public. Her determination and dedication to the world of dogs and especially to the development and Mission of IACP has created an admiration among her peers resulting in this award and induction.

Lorraine Smith was a dedicated Administration Office for the IACP until her passing suddenly in December 2011. Lorraine was the voice of IACP at Head Office, Answering the telephone and being in general contact with all members during the strong growth period of the IACP as part of her Administration duties.

Although not in the professions she was an active helper at Dog Shelters and rescues and had her own dog Gypsy which was the love of her life.

Lorraine was dedicated to the work of IACP, loyal and trustworthy. The IACP owes much to this and her willingness to help all who contacted IACP upholding the philosophies and Mission by which IACP has always worked. We will always remember her for being 'IACP'.

Aimee Sadler is the Director of Training & Behavior for the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation as well as the founder of Playing for Life! A Training & Behavior Program for Shelter Dogs and Point of View Training & Consulting, LLC. She is a nationally recognized trainer specializing in behavioral problems. Her techniques have been derived from twenty five years of working with multiple species, from dogs to cats, from exotics to marine mammals.

Aimee’s childhood passion for animals turned into a career in 1987 at the onset of her apprenticeship to Magic Mountain’s dolphin and sea lion show in southern California. From there Aimee was offered a position of leadership at the park’s wild animal show where she performed on stage with exotic animals in addition to touring with the creatures to better educate children. Aimee’s training abilities landed her a position with the American Humane Association, responsible for the monitoring of the training of “animal actors”. This exposure to the entertainment industry resulted in an offer to be the compound manager of Birds and Animals Unlimited, one of Hollywood’s top animal training facilities. Aimee then founded the animal rentals division of Fourth Cub Productions, Inc., where she supplied well-trained animals for numerous television commercials and music videos.

Over the years while Aimee developed her private dog training business, she maintained strong affiliations with rescue organizations. Since 1998, Aimee’s main interest has been in working with dogs at animal shelters. Her vision has been to create and implement a training and behavior modification program that will prove invaluable to the well-being of the animals in shelters. The goal is to help them better adjust to their shelter life, become more adoptable and, finally, permanent and adored family members in their new homes.

Aimee is recognized as an Ambassador Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. She has presented her Playing for Life! A Training & Behavior Modification program for Shelter Dogs around the country and at international animal welfare and professional dog training conferences, such as HSUS’ Animal Expo, Best Friend’s No More Homeless Pets Conference, Masters in Behavior Conference, the No Kill Conference and the International Association of Canine Professionals Conference. Aimee’s programs have helped Longmont Humane Society and the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation to maintain canine live release rates exceeding 95% as open admission shelters!

Aimee is one of the proud recipients of the Henry Bergh Leadership Award in 2011. She was also inducted into the IACP Hall of Fame in 2013.

Aimee currently resides in Longmont, CO with her three sons, four rescued dogs and rescued cat.

Pat Trichter's animal training career started at an early age with horses, working and training cutting horses and thoroughbreds. A Registered Nurse and experienced Veterinary technician, she found her unique skills in training dogs was much in demand based on her experience training them around her horse farm, and the Veterinary practice. She has a great ability to read and train all animals including cats.

In Dallas under the name City Dawgs, Pat was highly recommended by veterinarians and sought out by dog owners wanting to bring up the perfect companion. For her it is not just a matter of a dog doing as asked but also of becoming a partner in life. She achieves this through an understanding by both owner and dog, and what is required in the home and in the dog/human owner relationship. She has the ability to help families work together to have a dog that will become part of their family for life, and delights in bringing families together bonded by the love of their dog. Pat has been successfully training dogs and their families now for over 25 years. Pat is a Co-Founder of the International Association of Canine Professional, has been a Director, Treasurer and assistant Treasurer of the Association. Always avoiding the limelight, Pat has been a positive driving force behind the operation and success of IACP and a main part of the management of the Annual Conference from the very beginning. It is recognized without this driving force and hard work the IACP would not be the organization it is today.

Marc Goldberg, IACP-CDT started training his first dog, Gus, when he was 11 years old.

 By the time he was 13 he had won AKC High In Trials, the first with a score of 199.5 points out of 200, and became the youngest voting member of the Philadelphia Dog Training Club. By that age he also had paying clients, and has enjoyed training dogs ever since. When Marc was 15 he made the first of several incursions into the AKC Library at 51 Madison Ave., NYC under the pretense that he was a college student conducting research.

Marc notes, "Every milestone of my life somehow includes a dog in it."

Among his IACP accomplishments:

• Joined IACP the year after it's formation, is member #1099, and attended its second ever conference, plus nearly all since.
• Named to the Board of Directors in 2005, Marc became Vice President in 2006 and served in that capacity until until 2008, when he became the organization's president, serving until 2010.
• Marc was a featured speaker at IACP conferences in 2007 and 2013 and also served as SafeHands Journal Editor from Summer 2006 issue to Winter 2009 issue, producing a total of 15 issues.
• He also wrote many articles for the SafeHands Journal to share techniques and approaches with members on both the topics of business and dog behavior. Presently, he continues as an occasional contributing author.
• Among other contributions, Marc played a key role in writing the CDT and CDTA examination rules along with other members including Cyndy Douan, Tawni McBee and others.
• He played the key role in writing the IACP grievance procedure with advice from the board and Maryna Ozuna.

Marc writes, "I have always felt that it was more my duty to do for IACP than to have it do for me. By its very existence, IACP has provided dog trainers with an organization that stands for acceptance and inclusion rather than judgmental isolation of its members. IACP was formed with passion by a few good people who gave us a way to band together and become a force for sensible approaches to dog behavior. I'm only glad that to have been one more shoulder pushing the wheel forward so that dog trainers and canine professionals could band together and help one another with mutual support and education."

Bob firmly believes in what the International Association of Canine Professionals stands for and is responsible for more than 400 members joining the organization. He believes that a dog should be evaluated and judged on an individual basis, not solely by its breed. He has and will continue to oppose Breed Specific Legislation in all of its discriminatory forms.

Bob is a former member of the Board of Directors for the I A C P and has attended every annual conference the organization has held. Bob has been and still is a generous Platinum Sponsor of IACP since its inception, and has recruited more members than any other into the IACP by financing his graduates first year membership.

Bob is President of National K-9 Learning Center and also the Head Instructor and Director of the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers.

Bob Jervis epitomizes everything IACP stands for, he is and has always been one of its most enthusiastic supporters.

I was raised on a hill farm in Vermont among many animals, wild and domestic. We had a couple of dogs, but my parents knew nothing of training so the dogs were chronically in trouble. Eventually one was shot for running deer and the other was killed for eating road apples. I therefore learned nearly nothing about dogs as a child, though I read books about them. I read books about everything and spent the rest of my free time watching wild animals out in the woods. I was excessively interested in school, especially in subjects deemed inappropriate for girls, so I was sent to a private boarding school. There I discovered that what I liked was something called Biology, that was one of a strange collection of subjects called Science. I was hooked.

I got a lot of formal education, through a PhD degree. By that time I was convinced that what interested me most was what animals did and why, so my degree was in the very young field of ethology, which emphasizes animal behavior from a biological, rather than a psychological perspective. At that time psychology in the US regarded animals as models of human behavior, not as creatures with their own interests and adaptations. I did a post-doctoral fellowship in what was then West Germany, with one of the founders of ethology, Konrad Lorenz. During my studies I moved around a lot, there was no way I could have pets. By the time I finished my post-doc and had a proper job, I wanted a dog.

I had trained the animals I studied to find out about their lives, not to control them, so I had no real idea what a pet was. Watching dogs and understanding their behavior did not adequately prepare me for dog ownership. I searched for a Labrador Retriever because I had met one while I was in Germany. A colleague sold me a pup with the stipulation that I had to obedience-train her. She was a natural and finished her first title easily, routinely out-performing much older, more experienced dogs in terms of points. I thought obedience training was easy and that I was a fabulous trainer. Her son taught me otherwise. I joined the local kennel club as an apprentice instructor and taught other dog owners the little I knew. I could help the easy dogs, but pooches with problems were beyond me. I didn’t know that and routinely assumed that the owners had failed to work their dogs daily. That probably was true but it wasn’t the only reason the dogs failed to learn. A new person joined the club and set about teaching the rest of us to train using lots of treats. Meanwhile I’d been reading books and attending seminars and workshops on alternate methods of training, so I was eager to incorporate the reward methods into the other methods I’d been learning. That was not to be permitted, so I left that club after working as a volunteer trainer for about 25 yrs.

I had continued to obedience-train and show my own dogs through Novice titles but no further. I wanted to help dogs to become better pets, not to perform rote tasks with military precision. IACP began and I joined. To continue I wanted more challenges and volunteered to work with dogs at the local shelter. They were eager to accommodate me. I learned more about dog training from those animals in four years than I had during the previous 25 years with the kennel club.

Now I’ve pretty much retired from training others’ dogs. My 6 yr old Lab runs agility, simply because he enjoys it. We are not at all competitive, because at 80 I cannot run fast enough to complete a course within the time allowed. That’s OK; we have fun. At 13 my older Lab no longer can jump and has retired, but she enjoys our occasional walks.

Leslie is the founder of Most Fine Canine, Inc. has been training service dogs and their handlers for over 15 years. Leslie trains service dogs for children and adults with neurological and mobility disabilities, including, but not limited to, multiple sclerosis, degenerative arthritis, autism, deafness, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. She is a registered nurse with over 30 years of experience in trauma critical care nursing. She has a Labrador Retriever, a German Shepherd, a miniature Dachshund, and 2 Chihuahuas. Leslie professionally coordinates animal assisted interactions programs at Family Services, Inc. and on the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus. She has been the main initiator and Chair, and is still an active member of the IACP Service Dog Committee and a member of the IACP Therapy Dog Committee.

Chad began training dogs in March of 1993. He is currently the co-host of popular Dog Training Conversations Podcast, as well as being a much sought after workshop presenter in the United States, Canada and Europe. Chad’s has shown tremendous dedication to IACP. After many years on board of directors, he served two terms as President of IACP, and was the Education Director of the organization after that. Chad has worked tirelessly to bring dog trainers together despite different training styles both within and without the organization. He has created several dog training forums on social media to help dog trainers learn from each other while respecting each other’s differences.

Mailey E. McLaughlin, M.Ed. has been the Atlanta Humane Society Behavior & Training Manager for 15 years, a Professional IACP member for 12, and a CDT since 2007. She is currently co-Vice President of the IACP Board of Directors. Mailey has been working with people and their pets for over 30 years, starting at a veterinary clinic day after she turned 16. She started there thinking she wanted to be a vet, and realized quickly that training was more up her alley. After training family dogs and friends’ dogs, as well as doing training for some of her pet sitting clients while she earned her BA in English, she got her Master’s degree in Education while working in retail. Then she signed up on a whim to be a volunteer at the Atlanta Humane Society, the Southeast’s largest shelter (and one of the oldest in the United States), and her dog training and education worlds merged—finally.

Within a week, she was hired as a Humane Educator and was taking her dog into schools to teach responsible pet ownership and safety around animals. She began teaching the AHS’ Basic Training Classes a few months later, and started revamping the entire curriculum and making it her own. She has been teaching professionally for almost 15 years, and has built the Atlanta Humane Society’s Training program (offering group classes, socialization, and private lessons) from the ground up. Mailey has years of experience working with shelter pets and their owners, and she developed shelter dog training classes/socialization for dogs waiting to be adopted. She also has extensive experience in customer service, and this has been extremely helpful in her sheltering work. She specializes in toy breeds and shelter adoptees, as she understands their needs (and the emotional needs of their owners).

I joined IACP in 2003 just before the annual conference. I found the organization online after I became discouraged that all I was getting from APDT was positive-only. I came from a Koehler-type background, and was swayed to “go more positive” after joining APDT. While I enjoyed learning about clicker training and tools with which I was unfamiliar, as well as Operant and Classical Conditioning, I was unimpressed with the (lack of) results I was seeing in my classes, and I remember thinking, “there has to be a happy medium between lots of corrections and no corrections at all.” I think I actually Googled “balanced dog training” and up popped the IACP. I couldn’t believe there was an organization dedicated to exactly what I was seeking.

I became a Professional member as soon as I was eligible, and became a CDT about 5 years ago. I didn’t technically need the letters after my name, but I wanted to support the IACP’s effort to credential trainers and so I took the exam. I’m proud of my CDT and I salute the work that has gone into making it what it is.

Being named an Ambassador at the 2012 Conference was a huge honor for me, as I owe much of my success to the people I have met, and the speakers I’ve learned from, at IACP.

Being named “Member of the Year 2013” was a lovely shock! I had considered running for the BOD before, but it never came together. This award made me really want to step up and do more for the organization that has given me so much.

Martin Deeley, internationally recognized dog trainer, writer, and commentator inducted into the International Association of Canine Professionals Hall of Fame alongside Cesar Millan April 2011.

Martin has been training gundogs both spaniels and Labradors for 35 years. He has not only trained with the best but also trained the best. His dogs have won trials in Britain, and in America he has made up both Hunting retriever Champions and Master Hunters. He has run workshops throughout Europe, Great Britain and America assisting students of his approach to achieve Titles on both sides of the Atlantic. In 2004 he coached the first American retriever Team to compete in England at the International Working Test, where they took fourth place.

He has been a feature writer for leading American and European magazines, and is the only journalist ever granted a personal interview with Her Majesty the Queen of England.

Martin has written three top selling books Advanced Gundog Training, Working Gundogs, and Getting it Right with Gundogs. Commentated on over 80 European championship videos, and for 27 years provided the commentary at the International Gundog Competitions held at the Country landowners Association Game Fair. The largest Game Fair in the world.

Martin was presented with the Dog Writers Association of America Special Award for the Best Training Article of 2001.In 2007 Countryman's Weekly, a leading European dog magazine, selected Martin as Gundog Trainer of the Year, a highly esteemed award voted upon by readers and fans of his books and videos.  

Martin wrote and hosted the series of web videos on puppy training for Eukanuba, which also went world wide.

Martin wrote the foreword to his friend Cesar Millan’s first book Cesar’s Way, and Cesar wrote the foreword to Martin’s 2009 revised Working Gundogs. In spring of 2008, he featured in the Mastering Leadership DVD Sit and Stay the Cesar Way and has acted as advisor and consultant on Cesar’s books plus writing content for Cesar’s Rules.

He has produced his own training DVD's: Pet Training through Retrieving; Basic Gundog Training - British style; and recently   "E-Touch- the Modern Humane Approach to the use of the remove electronic Trainer".  

Sought out regularly as a presenter and teacher for all aspects of dog training and behavior, Martin has his own school for dog trainers and dog owners, and will be on a traveling tour this summer of Holland, Switzerland, Hungary and the United Kingdom, teaching trainers.

Martin now not only trains and helps with gundogs but also is sought out as an expert in dealing with problem behavior in dogs. He is also recognized as a leading teacher in the use of the electronic collar as a humane and positive training aid.

Tyler started K9 Connection in 2007 to fulfill his dream of helping dogs and owners live harmonious lives together. Tyler oversees and develops the training programs at K9 Connection, and works diligently to advance our training techniques and coach the staff.

Additionally, Tyler travels the world teaching seminars to other professional trainers who want to improve their skills and learn the secrets of our success. Tyler also serves as the President of the International Association of Canine Professionals. In 2015 Tyler was selected to be an instructor for Leerburg Online University, one of the most well respected and prestigious web-based dog training companies. His personal Pack includes Lobo (Belgian Malinois), Charlie (terrier mix) and Ella (terrier mix). In addition to training dogs, Tyler also enjoys hiking, kung fu, meditation, and spending time with his family.