Advisory Board

We are proud and honored to have these thought and industry leaders serve on VSA’s Advisory Board. Each member brings a wealth of experience, unparalleled expertise, and an innovative take on the field of animal training and behavior.

Dr. Alexandra Horowitz

Dr. Alexandra Horowitz is an Adjunct Associate Professor of psychology at Barnard College and the Director of The Horowitz Dog Cognition Lab, which conducts research on dog olfaction, play behavior, and attributions of emotions to dogs. She is author of many scholarly articles on dog behavior and cognition as well as the NYT #1 best-seller Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know. Read more →

Dr. Marty Becker

The resident veterinary contributor on “Good Morning America” for 17 years and author of 22 books, Dr. Becker’s Fear Free program encourages veterinary practices to learn about and implement fear-free vet visits for their patients. Read more

Dr. John Ciribassi

DVM, DACVB Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist with the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, Dr. Ciribassi is devoted to educating veterinarians and technicians about animal behavior and the benefits of improving their animal clients’ vet-visit experience. Read more

Sergeant Steve White

For over 40 years Steve White has been passionate about humanely training police dogs that are safe, effective, reliable, and in true partnership with their human handlers. A highly sought after presenter and consultant, Steve is on the leading edge of positively training dogs that just plain work in our increasingly complex modern world. Read more

Dr. Brian Hare

Dr. Brian Hare is a scientist and author of New York Times bestselling book The Genius of Dogs. Hare received his Ph.D. from Harvard University, and subsequently founded the Duke Canine Cognition Center when arriving at Duke University. Hare’s publications on dog cognition are among the most heavily cited papers on dog behavior and intelligence. Read more

Tia Torres

Founder of the Villalobos Rescue Center and host of the hit show “Pit Bulls and Parolees,” which follows her inspiring rescue, training, rehabilitation, and placement work. Read more

Professor Daniel Mills

Professor Daniel Mills is a leading international authority on companion animal behaviour and human-animal interactions. He is a Professor of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine at the University of Lincoln, and a pioneer in the use of pheromone therapy within the field of clinical animal behaviour. He is lead author of Stress and Pheromonatherapy in Small Animal Clinical Behavior. Read more

Alicea Howell

RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA CTP Alicea Howell graduated from Purdue University with her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology in 2003, and received her animal training certification through the prestigious Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior in 2008. She was one of the first veterinary technicians to earn her VTS in Behavior in July of 2010. Alicea lectures and provides hands-on labs for veterinarians and veterinary technicians at state, regional, and national veterinary conferences. Read more

Nicole Wilde

Nicole Wilde is an internationally recognized, award-winning author and lecturer, Canine Behavior Specialist, and Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). Her ten books include So You Want to be a Dog Trainer, Help for Your Fearful Dog, and Don’t Leave Me! Step-by-Step Help for Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety (www.nicolewilde.com). In addition to working with dogs, Nicole has worked with wolves and wolfdogs for over fifteen years and is considered an expert in the field. Read more

Jennifer Arnold

Jennifer is the CEO and founder of Canine Assistants. She has written two best-selling books and appeared in a PBS special about Canine Assistants. Read more