Training Center Staff
Sharon Wirant, MA, ACAAB, CPDT-KA
Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist & Certified Pet Dog Trainer
Sharon has successfully trained dogs in agility, flyball and obedience for nearly 20 years. Her interest in dog behavior and learning led her to pursue and earn a Masters degree specializing in Animal Behavior. Both her undergraduate and graduate research focused on canine behavior. Sharon is one of 50 professionals to hold the unique certification as an Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist with the Animal Behavior Society ( http://www.certifiedanimalbehaviorist.com/). Certification by the Animal Behavior Society demonstrates that Sharon meets the Society's educational, experiential and ethical criteria as an applied animal behaviorist.
Sharon's role at the Monadnock Humane Society is as the Chief Operating Officer where she oversees shelter and business operations. She is also a Contract Trainer with the ASPCA® where she facilitates the SAFERTM Aggression Assessment tool to organizations around the country. Recently in this role, Sharon was a member of the ASPCA team to assess Pit Bulls, Rottweillers and their mixes for the US Marine Corps in Parris Island, SC and Newburgh, NY to keep families and their pets together despite the breed ban placed on military base housing. Lastly, Sharon is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer, Certified SAFERTM Assessor, Certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and a Certified Masters level agility judge for the United States Dog Agility Association.
Sharon believes the key to a well behaved pet is understanding canine communication and having clear, consistent expectations. Despite a rigorous scientific background, Sharon employs a fun, playful approach to most behavioral training needs. By combining sound science, the art of dog training and humane solutions, Sharon helps owners resolve or manage their dogs' problem behaviors while strengthening their relationship.
Outside of her educational and career pursuits, Sharon trains and competes in agility and regularly trains with top handlers, trainers and behaviorists. Zippy, her late lab mixed breed and first agility dog, was a Grand Prix Finalist, named to the USDAA Top 10 numerous times, and earned top agility, obedience and flyball titles. Darla, her 15-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, has also earned top titles in agility, qualified for National agility and JRTCA events, and was named several times to the USDAA Top 10.
Sharon and her husband share their lives with a flock of sheep and 6 dogs: Rizzo (chihuahua-x & MHS alum), Darla, Tinq and Killick (Jack Russell Terriers), Scooter (Border Collie/Jack Russell Terrier-x & MHS alum), and Zesty (Border Collie). Sharon, her husband and their dogs all participate in agility, terrier, and herding events. Sharon is available for private lessons to improve your agility and behavior problem solving needs.
Member: Animal Behavior Society, Association of Pet Dog Trainers, International Society for Applied Ethologists
Continuing Education:
2009
- Saving Shelter Dogs: Evaluation, Enrichment & Behavioral Rehabilitation w/Pam Reid, PhD, CAAB
- ASPCA® Meet Your MatchTM Train-the-Trainer Using Humane Dialogue Workshop - Level 2
- Food for Thought: Modifying Food Aggression in the Shelter Dog
- New England Federation of Humane Societies
2008
- ASPCA® Meet Your MatchTM Train-the-Trainer Using Humane Dialogue Workshop
- Psychopharmacology for Small Animal Behavior Problems with Amy Marder, DVM, CAAB
- Interdisciplinary Forum for Applied Animal Behaviorists (Presented)
- Handling Dangerous Dogs with Dee Ganley, New Hampshire SPCA
2007
- APDT Conference, Portland, OR
- Keeping the Peace with Fluffy and Fido: New Pets, Reactive Pets, and Multiple Pet Issues (University of Illinois)
- SAFERTM Assessment Certification Training (Erie SPCA)
- New England Federation of Humane Societies (Presented)
- Interdisciplinary Forum for Applied Animal Behaviorists (Presented)
2006
- The Biting Dog Conference
- Shaping, Classical Conditioning and Cues with Jean Donaldson
- New Perspective on Canine Behavior, Emotion & Training (Steve White & Patricia McConnell, PhD)
- Every Dog's Different: Evolution, Cognition & Behavior with Ray Coppinger, PhD, Bruce Blumberg, PhD and Carolyn Barney, CPDT
- The Learnt Dog with Bruce Blumberg, Harvard Extension School, Graduate credit
- Defensive Handling with Sue Sternberg
- The Bite-o-Meter with Sue Sternberg
- Consultations Up Close & Personal with Pia Silvani
- Aggression with John Rogerson
- Interdisciplinary Forum for Applied Animal Behaviorists (presented)
- Aggression with Karen Overall
- Veterinarians, Trainers & Shelters Working Together: Helping Good Dogs, Bad Dogs and Controversial Cats Conference (University of Illinois)
- Behavior Intern at the Upper Valley Humane Society
2005
- Cognitive Canine: Savant or Slacker with Bruce Blumberg, PhD, Harvard Extension School, Graduate credit
- On Aggression with Pia Silvani
- Shadow Behavior Intern, ASPCA, NY
- Behavior Intern at the Upper Valley Humane Society
2004 and prior:
- Evolution of Canines with Ray Coppinger, PhD
- SAFERTM Assessments with Emily Weiss, PhD
- Dog-Dog Aggression with Sue Sternberg
- Advanced Canine Behavior with Patricia McConnell, PhD
- Clicker Workshops with Karen Pryor and Gary Wilkes
Rachel Brostrom, CPDT-KA, CAP 1
Rachel has been training and showing dogs for over 20 years. She is a Professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, and a Certified Canine Good Citizen evaluator through the American Kennel Club. Rachel is also a trial Representative and judge for APDT Rally Obedience.
Rachel's competitive spirit, interest in training and showing, and love for dogs began as a child and has continued into adulthood. Rachel and her family have constantly shared their house with dogs that she trains and competes with in agility, competition obedience, Rally obedience, herding and conformation. Over the past 10 years, Rachel and her canine companions have earned hundreds of titles in these events.
Rachel holds degrees in Biology and Education. She has found that her teaching and dog training experience work hand-in-hand in the fact that kids are a lot like dogs in their need for positive reinforcement, good motivators, clear boundaries and consistency. Through teaching and training, Rachel enjoys helping peoplehave fun and enrich their relationship with their dog.
Duke Champney, CAP 1
Duke has had a lifelong interest in dog training. He has successfully trained many well mannered family canine companions.
In 2008, Duke began volunteering at the Monadnock Humane Society. He focused his volunteer time by training shelter dogs, especially the more energetic dog. As a result of his successful work with the shelter dogs, Duke attended and graduated from the Monadnock Trainer's Academy in 2009. Since his graduation, Duke has been a valuable assistant in all classes offered at MHS. Recently, he passed his examination to be a Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.
Duke's breed preference is the energetic Boxer. His boxer Kiah, pictured here, has turned into an accomplished canine learner via Duke's excellent clicker skills. Energetic, rowdy dogs are the type of dogs that Duke likes to train. He has experience working with rambunctious shelter dogs, giving them some self control skills.
Continuing Education:
2009
Kim Welch, CAP-1
Kim is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, a 2009 graduate of the MHS Trainers Academy, and recently earned her CAP1 (Clicker Competency Level 1). She shares her home with two friendly and goofy Labradores: Gus and Woodrow. From their very first Puppy Kindergarten class, Kim was hooked on training and impressed by how easily her dogs learn by simply using a clicker and rewards. Kim has taken many training classes since, including some agility classes and plans to do some Rally classes in the future. She is also working towards her CPDT through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers and dog-walking Certification through dogTEC.
Kim has fallen in love with training and wants dog training to be mutually enjoyable to the dogs and people. She enjoys helping people build a strong bond with their dog through positive reinforcement training.
