PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
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Personal canine instructor for the family of Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, Kurdistan, Iraq 2006.
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Lead consultant for the Kurdistan Regional Government's national canine security services, Iraq 2006.
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Investigator for UAB’s Department of Psychology, therapy dog intervention study for traumatic brain injury patients, 2014.
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Co-creator and lead manager of Transitional Partners, a Dog-Assisted Work Therapy (DAWT) program for persons suffering with mental illness at East Side Mental Health Center. This program was co-developed with Kevin McDonald, canine behaviorist and Dr. Joseph Schumacher, PhD, clinical psychology.
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Preparatory training of dog / handler teams for certification as Therapy Dog Teams to visit hospitals and nursing homes
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Training of psychiatric service dogs for sufferers of traumatic stress, present.
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Served as faculty member for Alabama Council of Community Mental Health Boards, 37th Annual Conference, “Dog-assisted Work Therapy”, May 2011.
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Hand-in-Paw recognized therapy dog trainer, 2015.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
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Presenter for Mountain Brook Police Department, canine body language interpretation and bite prevention seminar, 2017.
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Presented to University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Preventive Medicines Grand Rounds, Dog-assisted work therapy for Veterans; Proposal for research and practice, 2010.
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Presenter at Shocco Springs 2011 Annual Mental Health Conference.
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Presenter of “Companion Dogs – A New Approach” at 2011 NAMI Annual State Conference in Montgomery, AL.
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Presented canine aggression safety seminar for parenting students at Birmingham City Schools, 2007.
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Presenter “Canine Transitional Partners” at East Side Mental Health Center, Birmingham, AL Feb 2012.
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Presenter “The Way of the Dog”, an educational seminar for Huntsville area dog trainers, May 2012.
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Guest author, Good Grit Magazine, Flourish Issue, "The Cognitive Canine", 2017.
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Guest speaker, Jewish War Veterans Post 608, "The Boy King and his Royal Dog," 2018.
Aaron McDonald
Canine Behaviorist and President of 3D Dog
Aaron McDonald is a canine behaviorist, author, dog trainer, consultant, and President of Three Dimensional Dog in Birmingham, AL; and co-owner of McDonald Canine Academy.
With 20 years of experience he has accumulated well over ten thousand hours of instruction and education in the rehabilitation of canine behavioral dysfunction, canine behavior consultancy, and training.
This experience culminated the development of the Unified Theory of Canine Behavior, an innovative, systems-based cognitive-behavioral theory.
Aaron has participated in live radio, news broadcasts, and has been sought for his expertise by: CNN, Yahoo News, Southern Living, B-Metro Magazine, Eating Well magazine, petMD, the world’s largest pet health media provider.
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Kelli Grigg
Canine Behaviorist and Dog Trainer, Birmingham Alabama
Kelli Grigg is a 3D Dog certified canine behaviorist and dog trainer located in Birmingham, Alabama.
She graduated from the University of North Florida with a B.A. in English and a Psychology minor. A senior semester psychology course titled Animal Behavior ignited a passion for animal behavior and conservation. After gaining a Zoo Animal Technology degree from Santa Fe College, Kelli accumulated seven and a half years of zoo-keeping experience.
During this time, Kelli developed a myriad of specialized skills working with large and small exotic animals with a focus on carnivore training. These included: African lions, Malayan tiger, Red pandas, Coyotes, Fishing Cats, Bobcat, Ocelot, and more.
As a canine behavior expert, Kelli brings a rich understanding of animal cognition and behavior to the team, and is excited to use that knowledge to benefit area families and their four-legged friends.
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EDUCATION
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University of North Florida, B.A. English Literature, Psychology Minor 2012, Santa Fe College
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A.A.S. Zoo Animal Technology 2014
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
3D Dog Certified Canine Behaviorist 2021
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Canine behavior modification and training
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Anxiety disorder rehabilitation
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Skills development
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Relationship-based training
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Cognitive-behavioral consultation
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Service and therapy dog training
Birmingham Zoo – Predator Keeper II 2015-2020
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Trained all animals within the department including: African lions, Malayan tiger, Red pandas, Coyotes, Fishing Cats, Bobcat, Ocelot, and other small cat species.
TRAINING EXPERIENCE
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Voluntary x-ray of leg, Fishing cat
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Paw Presentation for nail trims, Ocelot
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Paw presentation for medical checks, Bobcat
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Hip presentation for injections, African lion
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Aspiration of cancerous mass, Malayan tiger
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Voluntary blood pressure readings, Red panda
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Voluntary application of topical flea medication, Bobcat
Amy Haycox
Amy Haycox is a 3D Dog certified canine behaviorist and dog trainer located in Birmingham, Alabama.
She is a graduate of the University of Texas Arlington. A life-long passion for animals began at 5 years of age riding horses.
During this time, Amy developed a myriad of specialized skills working with large and small exotic animals with a focus on carnivore training.
These included: Black Bear, Foxes, Otters, Horses, and now dogs!
Amy's compassionate teaching style and knowledge about canine behavior and cognition is the perfect resource for families looking to improve their human / canine relationship.
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EDUCATION
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University of Texas at Arlington
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
3D Dog Certified Canine Behaviorist 2021
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Canine behavior modification and training
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Anxiety disorder rehabilitation
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Skills development
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Relationship-based training
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Cognitive-behavioral consultation
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Service and therapy dog training
Birmingham Zoo – Children’s Zoo Animal Care
Professional II, 2018 – 2021
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Primary trainer for a diverse variety mammals, reptiles and avids.
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Point keeper for Black Bears, Foxes, and Sandhill Cranes.
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Head of the Zoo’s Enrichment Committee
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Developed animal care and enrichment protocols
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Spoke about animals in the collection to guests
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Trained a variety of large and small exotic animals
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Foxes, Otters, Bears, domestic livestock
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Trained several behaviors including crating, voluntary blood draw, injection training, brushing teeth.
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Other Experience
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Veterinary Assistant
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Horse riding instructor
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Trained 50+ horses for daily riding / under-saddle to suit client needs
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Competitive eventing rider
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Competitive horse show judge
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Trained horses basic ground manners
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Casey Pyne
Casey Pyne is a 3D Dog certified canine behaviorist and dog trainer located in Birmingham, Alabama.
He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Biological Sciences from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA. with a zoology focus.
This lifelong passion for animals carried him to the Virginia Zoo then to the Birmingham Zoo where he was responsible for the training, enrichment and care of over 170 different species of animals.
These included: African lions, Ocelot cats, now dogs!
Casey is an engaged, knowledgeable expert in the field of canine behavior and cognition, and is trusted by Birmingham area families.
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EDUCATION
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Bachelor’s of Science; Biological Sciences
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Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, Zoology focus
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
3D Dog Certified Canine Behaviorist 2022
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Canine behavior modification and training
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Anxiety disorder rehabilitation
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Skills development
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Relationship-based training
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Cognitive-behavioral consultation
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Service and therapy dog training
Birmingham Zoo – Animal Care Professional, Predator II Team
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Responsible for tasks associated with the daily care of the zoo’s vast collection of exotic animals, including feeding, medicating, cleaning, exhibit maintenance, enrichment, etc.
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Display mastery of dangerous animal S.O.P.’s and acted as a primary keeper for class 1 dangerous animals.
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Trained new, and maintained established animal husbandry behaviors such as voluntary blood-draw, weigh, crate, etc.
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Utilized operant conditioning techniques to shape and manage animal behavior.
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Educated zoo guests in a variety of settings, such as formal shows, presentations, keeper chats, and informal interactions.
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Kept detailed records on all aspects of animal care. Worked with species survival plan recommendations for breeding of endangered animals.
Other Experience
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Kennel technician
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Certified tour guide
Amy Funderburg
Speaking Consultant,
Birmingham Alabama
Amy Funderburg is a former 3D Dog certified canine behaviorist who now follows her passions as a speaking consultant.
She graduated Auburn University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Foreign Language and is now pursuing her Masters Degree in School Counseling to advance her mission of helping families.
Amy is available for public engagements and is ready to speak to your organization regarding numerous facets of canine behavior. Call 205-563-8383 to learn more!
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EDUCATION
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Auburn University, Bachelors of Science in Foreign Language Education / Spanish, 2010.
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Universidad de Granada: Granada, Spain, studied Spanish language and culture, 2008.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
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3D Dog Certified Canine Behaviorist, 2017.
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Canine behavior modification and training.
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Anxiety disorder rehabilitation
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Canine skills development
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Relationship-based training
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Cognitive-behavioral consultation
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Service and therapy dog training
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Veterinarian Technician Assistant, Liberty Animal Hospital, 2005-2011.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
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CBS 42
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Childcare Resources: Canine behavior and Child Safety Seminar, 2019.
OTHER EXPERIENCE
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Pell City High School Teacher of the Year, 2016-2017
