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NEWSLETTER WINTER 2017
I am very excited to present the premiere edition of VIATA’s Quarterly Newsletter, in the Winter of 2017. The VIATA Newsletter has been emailed to all of our members, and please feel free to share it as widely as you like. We want to promote VIATA and member events, and training ideas.
We are also happy to feature Vancouver Island people and busi-nesses that visibly support science based, positive reinforcement training.
This issue contains an interview article with Monica Mayes, the owner of Reigning Cats and Dogs, in Sidney BC. Mayes is a pas-sionate and uncompromising advocate for animals. Her personal values and her business values are in harmony. The products she sells must pass her personal test; that she would happily use them for her own beautiful Irish Water Spaniels.
I hope that you enjoy the VIATA Newsletter. If you have any comments or questions, or know of more inspiring people you’d like to see high-lighted in the Newsletter, email me, Terrie Rolph:
Vancouver Island Animal Training Association Website: www.viata.ca
EDITORS NOTE issue #1
WELCOME to Vancouver Island Animal Training Association,
The purpose of VIATA is to promote humane science-based, re-ward-based training, and animal handling on Vancouver Island.
VIATA was created as a local forum and resource for professionals in the animal care field and concerned individuals alike.
As VIATA members we share as a core value the well-being of all animals we come into contact with and care deeply about humane, low-stress, reward and science-based methods.
TRAINING EXCHANGE WORKSHOP
Dogs That Chase Sunday, March 26 2:00pm—5:00pm Arrowsmith Hall 1014 Ford Road Coombs, BC To register, please contact: [email protected] Members FREE New members welcome to join! more details:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/175899722470687/?ref=nf_target&fref=nf
Dear VIATA member,
Welcome to our first official edition of the VIATA newsletter! Education and Fun in 2017 Please, let us know what interests you and your circle of training friends! We love to get new ideas and we want to develop events that match our members’ hopes, needs and expectations!
We are finalizing the details of our first event of the year, a Training Exchange Workshop (TEW) called ‘Dogs That Chase’. At Training Exchange Workshops we encourage audience participation rather than a lecture format. It will be held in Coombs at the Arrows-mith Hall on Sunday, March 26. Member Involvement in 2017
We ALWAYS welcome greater member participation, please, whether in sharing your opinions with us or helping in a committee or making your talents work for VIATA and our causes! Even if you don’t want to take a ‘regular position’ on, ad-hoc help with various organizational aspects of specific events, from scouting out venues, set-up and take-down, registrations, will be much appreciated. Thank you for your continued support of VIATA. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2017, Sincerely, Lisbeth Plant President, VIATA
Vancouver Island Animal Training Association Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/175899722470687/
LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Cowichan Canine presents:
A Veterinary Behaviorist's Approach to Reactivity, Fear & Anxiety in Pets A Two-Day Seminar for professionals and pet owners
with Ken Martin DVM DACVB and Debbie Martin CPDT-KA KPACTP LVT VTS (Behavior)
24-25 June 2017
More Info: http://cowichancanine.ca/seminarsworkshops/teamreactivity
VIATA Professional members
Let us share YOUR
upcoming events
Professional Members
Upcoming Events
Those of us who work with Domena Diesing through VIATA’s various committees and on
the executive board would like to take this opportunity to say
“WELCOME BACK DOMENA!” We missed you, and we’re delighted to have you back in the team, helping to steer us
toward achieving our mission with great vision, commitment and enthusiasm !
Training Exchange Workshop in REVIEW
VIATA - Spread our vision by hosting or presenting a workshop or seminar.
Ethical Canine Presents:
Positive Socialization & Crucial Life Skill Development
The perfect way to start building a lasting relationship with your new puppy!
EVERY SUNDAY, 12:00-1:00PM Open Enrolment
Contact K9HQ to register. 250-478-2273; [email protected] http://k9hq.ca/positive-puppy-obedience-class/
———————————
Definitely Dogs Presents:
TOOLKIT for the Reactive Dog
A Foundation Program for Dogs who react to Dogs, Strangers, Joggers, Cars, Skateboards and More.
Starts March 12 in Qualicum Beach, Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
One-on-one instruction, Small and supportive
class room environment 7 group sessions 1 private consult.
Please, inquire with [email protected]
“Chasing Anything That Moves”
VIATA’s latest Training Exchange Workshop (TEW) was one of the most successful to date!
And no wonder, as it provided an opportunity to listen and share ideas with three of our Island’s most dynamic dog trainers; Donna Hill (Donna Hill’s Dog Training), Lisbeth Plant (Cowichan Canine Behaviour and Training) and Allison Schaefer (Ethical Canine Training and Behaviour Modification).
Held in Duncan last October, the event was attended by a record number of members and also attracted several new members. Participants included experienced trainers and novice dog owners alike, all gathered together in a comfortable, safe environment in which they shared their issues and experiences with an all too common subject – dogs that chase. Several dogs attended too, both as demo dogs and members’ case studies. The workshop went beyond slide and video presentations to include demonstrations and an active exchange of questions and answers, tips and ideas for supporting our dogs in a variety of challenging scenarios.
It was a great success for VIATA as an example of how together we CAN make a difference, in this case, simply by sharing our experience. We’d like to offer a huge THANK YOU to the presenters, the hosts and organisers of this event and to the individuals that brought their dogs for the case studies and demonstrations.
Feedback from those who attended reflected the vibe of the event, and we want more, more, more!
So VIATA is pleased to present another TEW, “Dogs That Chase”, to be held in Coombs on March 26
th. For more details of this event
please visit our website: www.viata.ca or our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/175899722470687/
Professional Members
Upcoming Events
The doorbell jangles merrily as yet another customer is welcomed into Reigning Cats and Dogs on 5
th and Beacon Avenue in Sidney BC. The
front counter is crowded with people and their pets chatting with owner Monica Mayes, as she sits surrounded by stuffies, sparkling collars and the latest in dog fashions.
Monica’s love for animals permeates the store. Dog treats, food, sup-plements, collars, leashes and toys; everything she carries in her store must match her values.
“Would I give it to my dog? Would I feed it to my dog? Would I do it to my dog?” These are the questions she asks herself as she decides what prod-ucts she will promote and sell to her customers.
She features “Oomaloo” toys from Turkey, bright coloured, temptingly cuddly, squeaking toys that may seem expensive compared to a fac-tory-made dog toy from overseas, but each one is uniquely handmade by women working from their homes in Istanbul. http://oomaloo.com
“Beautiful things, for Beautiful dogs”
When asked why she decided to open the store 12 years ago, Mayes says “I wanted beautiful things for beautiful dogs and I couldn’t find them here”. As an owner and breeder of Irish Water Spaniels, Mayes travelled to Europe to participate in the World Dog Show. That experi-ence raised her awareness of what was available worldwide. She no-ticed that European owners seemed to take great pride in their dogs and they demanded beautiful collars and leashes.
Reigning Cats & Dogs A values-based business
VIATA - Spread our vision by nominating a member of your community that we can acknowledge.
Donna Hill’s Dog Training presents:
Play Your Way to a Great Recall
An online interactive webinar Wednesday, March 22, 2017 / 4:00 pm More info: http://www.dog-ibox.com/market/catalog/play-your-great-recall-p-544.html ———————————
Online Loose Leash Walking Level 1-3
With Service Dog Training Institute March 1-May 23 More info: http://http://servicedogtraininginstitute.ca/course-catalogue
Professional Members
Upcoming Events
“Would I feed it to my dog?”
Dog food choices at that time were much more limited than they are today. She experimented with new dog food products that she sourced in the US and saw what a difference they made in her dogs’ coats and health. She prides herself on only selling food, treats or supplements that she would give to her own dogs.
“Would I do that to my dog?”
Aversive tools of any kind are conspicuously absent in Mayes’ store. “I’m not into anything punitive,” she explains. Sometimes people come in asking for choke chains, prong collars, shock collars or cit-ronella. “I tell them straight up. I do not sell those products and I don’t endorse them” She often will explain how citronella sprays a chemical up their dog’s nose and that using choke and prong collars risks permanently injuring their pets. She suggests checking in with their veterinarian to rule out health problems and then finding a good quality training class.
“But dog services are unregulated” she adds.
Mayes and her husband remember going to a puppy training class about 15 years ago and witnessing puppies being severely punished. “No way was that going to be done to my dog,” Mayes says. One of her favourite books is Patricia McConnell’s “The Other End of the Leash” that shifts people from thinking that everything is the dogs’ fault towards thinking about how their own behaviour might be influencing their pet. Mayes also points out that a lot depends on a person’s worldview. If they see animals as being ‘lesser’ creatures than themselves, they can justify punishing and hurting them in order to get them to do things. But if they see them as equals, then they are more apt to want to communicate and collaborate with them.
The doorbell jangles again and this time a Canada Post worker en-ters, carrying a large box. Mayes laughs happily as she unwraps each stuffed toy, setting them on her crowded counter. Imagine the joy that’s coming for some lucky pet!
VIATA - Next Issue: share Michelle Atterby’s experiences of positively working with horses.
Volunteer Appreciation
Terrie Rolph
We’d like to acknowledge Terrie’s contribution to VIATA. Terrie volunteers on the Marketing Committee and is the Editor of our newsletter.
THANK YOU TERRIE !
Introducing Terrie:
“I am a writer and a trainer of my two schipperkes and one cattle dog. Like many people, I came to science-based animal training the hard way. My cattle dog pup was fearful and resource guarding me and the punish-ment based advice I received made him much worse. Many brilliant and kind trainers have guided me to becoming a good trainer, including Susan Garrett and her Recallers pro-gram. I continue to volunteer as an online mentor for that program, five years after I first joined.”
Together
We Can Make a Difference
Contribute
We are a growing network of professionals and individuals, who seek to enhance cooperation, respect and trust between people and animals. We promote humane methods of training, behaviour management and animal care. We aim to increase awareness and education about such methods and provide net-working, mentoring, education, and training exchange workshops on Vancouver Island.
VIATA - © VIATA 2017 - contents may be shared and reprinted, with attribution to VIATA.
Your ideas for this publication are encouraged!
Tell us about how you came to positive reinforcement, force free training.
What animals do you work with?
Which training gems would you like to share?
Deadline for submissions for articles, is mid publication month.
Deadline for events or advertisements may be later, and we encourage early submission. Contact our editor, Terrie Rolph: [email protected].
VIATA Newsletter published online quarterly
Executive: Allison Schaefer - Secretary Candice Milliard - Membership Secretary Domena Diesing - Director at Large Kelly Murrell - Vice President Lisbeth Plant - President Stephanie Waddington - Director at Large Suzanne Grenier - Treasurer Education Committee: Marketing Committee: Allison Schaefer Andrea Buchan (Chair) Domena Diesing Kim Campbell Lisbeth Plant Leah Wilson Kelly Murrell Stephanie Waddington
Founded in 2010 by Domena Diesing, Donna Hill and Lisbeth Plant, VIATA has been supported by an ever-growing team of committed volunteers.
As we enter our sixth year we are reminded that without the continued contributions of our many volunteers, we could not advance the mission and vision of VIATA.
Enthusiastic support of VIATA , it’s Code of Ethics and it’s Mission, acknowledges the efforts of all who work so hard - your continued membership is highly valued!
During the last year we have welcomed new members to the executive; Kelly Murrell and Stephanie Waddington, and created a new Marketing Committee. We also gained new members on both our committees; Andrea Buchan, Leah Wilson, Michelle Atterby and Terrie Rolph.
We’d also like to acknowledge those who volunteer their time and expertise to the many Seminars and Workshops that VIATA presents Together, we DO make a difference -
THANK YOU!
Let us introduce you to our Volunteers, the executive and the committee members, just some of the wonderful folk who work behind the scenes:
Thanks to Our Volunteers !
Our Education Committee is seeking VOLUNTEERS, please contact: [email protected]
