Jim Barry, CPDT, CDBC, is R. I. Dog Guy's principal training instructor. He is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer, an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizenevaluator, and a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Jim is a member of APDT and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Jim takes a leading role in the dog training profession. He he has been editor of the ethics column for the APDT newsletter and manager of the tutorial case study program for members of IAABC. He is the co-author of the book, Positive Gun Dogs: Clicker Training for Sporting Breeds. Jim also gives seminars on professional ethics for trainers and his new book on ethics for dog trainers is scheduled for publication in 2008. He was named Volunteer of the Month at the Potter League for Animals in November, 2004. Jim is a former federal government executive and university professor. In addition to his dog training activities, Jim is a senior research fellow at the Center for International Development and Conflict Management of the University of Maryland.
Vickie Patridge is our dog sports instructor. She lives in Middletown, RI, with her husband, David, two Silken Windhounds (Manny and Asher), and one Borzoi (Chopper). She has worked with dogs for over 14 years and is currently an adoption counselor and positive reinforcement obedience trainer at the Potter League. In her spare time she has fun with her dogs at obedience, agility, Rally-Obedience, and freestyle classes. Vickie and David have a special time with the boys RVing across the country for Silken Windhound and Borzoi get-togethers.
Lisa Sylvester is our senior training instructor for puppy and obedience classes. She is a graduate of Animal Behavior College (ABC) and apprenticed with R. I. Dog Guy as part of her studies. Lisa is one of our Canine Good Citizen evaluators. She began training dogs at the age of 5, when she participated with her Shetland Sheepdog, Calamity, as a junior-junior handler in a local dog show. She and Calamity dazzled the judges & took home the “Funniest Dog” ribbon. Lisa has built upon her love of dogs through her education with ABC and volunteer work at the Potter League. She and her husband Mark live in Bristol, RI. In her spare time Lisa enjoys waterskiing, alpine skiing, soccer and softball.
Samantha Pacheco is our Assistant Trainer. She teaches Puppy Kindergarten and obedience classes and also works with special clients and dogs that need extra coaching in class or in the home. Samantha is a graduate of Animal Behavior College and was formerly the weekend kennel manager at Sakonnet Veterinary Hospital. She also manages our pet sitting and dog walking service.
Linda Hilliard is one of our training assistants. She helps out with our Puppy Kindergarten, obedience and sports classes. Dogs have been a part of Linda's entire life. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner she taught positive parenting classes and has applied those principles to dog training since 1980. Adopting Molly led her to taking formal dog training classes and clicker training principles "clicked"! She trained Molly to achieve a Canine Good Citizen award, and has attended seminars and training programs with nationally-known trainers. Linda conducts our Dogs & Storks and Dog Scouts programs.
Joanna McCarty is a training assistant, helping with puppy and obedience classes. Joanna acheived her certification with honors from Animal Behavior College. Dogs of all breeds have always been in Joanna's life and she currently has two wonderful pitbulls, Bain and Lynsey. Bain is often the demo dog for the basic and puppy kindergarten classes and Lynsey was rescued from the Potter League. Joanna also enjoys playing sports and riding horses.
Dale Alley is a longtime client with nine (yes, nine!) rescue Boston Terriers. She will be assisting with STEP classes and also offers small animal massage therapy. Dale is a "Headstart" trainer at the Potter League for Animals, working with challenging dogs to improve their prospects for adoption.
To check out her canine massage services, you can email her at: Dale@ridogguy.com.
Karen McCarthy is a STEP and Puppy Kindergarten instructor and an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. She currently shares her life with two enthusiastic golden retrievers. At three years old, Halle and Brody are AKC Canine Good Citizens, and both compete in APDT Rally Obedience. Halle, Brody and Karen are working on their positive gun dog training skills; Halle recently passed her UK Gun Dog Club – Grade One Beginner Field Test. (Check the Beginner Gundog Weekend page for a video of Karen and Halle in a practice session.) Karen, Halle and Brody have dabbled in Agility, Flyball and Tracking for fun. Karen is a high school special education teacher who works with behavorially disordered adolescent males. In her spare time she enjoys attending dog training seminars, rally obedience shows and riding her horse Bubba.
Toby (full name Cahas Ebony Beachcomber, CGC, WC) is R. I. Dog Guy’s professional demo dog. He was born in May, 2002, at Cahas Labradors in the beautiful mountains of Southwestern Virginia. Toby enjoys coming to class to demonstrate training methods and behavior for new clients and their dogs. He has a Canine Good Citizen title from the American Kennel Club and together with Jim’s wife Vicki, Toby has been certified as a Delta Society Pet Partner, qualified to visit schools, hospitals and nursing homes to bring companionship and comfort to people.
Toby is a trained hunting retriever and has a Working Certificate from the Labrador Retriever Club of the UnitedStates, attesting to his ability to retrieve birds on land and in water.He loves to assist in our Positive Field Training classes. Toby also loves to play with his friends at Abby’s Dog Depot !
In memory of Friskie: Sweet, Loyal, Brave.Click on the picture to visit Friskie’s memorial at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. And while you are there, visit the Best Friends home page and consider making a donation to this wonderful organization!
Positive Training for Lifelong Companionship info@ridogguy.com (401) 339-2398
