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I've always loved animals. When I was a child, I wanted to be an animal trainer, a veterinarian, and an artist. I grew up with animals; rats, dogs, cats, horses, birds, and a rescued monkey.  Following my natural instincts, I taught them all. I made it fun for me and the animals! As an adult, I worked with small and large animals in a clinical setting, and my art career blossomed. I also learned more about the world of animal training. Unfortunately, I didn't like what I witnessed. Trainers frequently bullied and forced animals to do things against their will, and if the animals didn't surrender or do the behavior, they were punished. If the animal eventually cowered and/or did the behavior, the trainer was praised. If that's how a professional trainer was supposed to train, I didn't want any part of it. I decided to follow my instincts and use force-free. What animals thought and how they felt mattered to me. 

Many years later, kinder methods of teaching animals began to surface and improve, gradually taking us where we are now. Behavior scientists determined that positive reinforcement and giving animals choices were psychologically healthier for animals and it also provided better results. "Animals can be afforded a happier way of learning when their teachers provide a happier way of teaching!"