Informative letter about socialization and puppy training. CLICK HERE to view Dr. R K Anderson's open letter to his colleagues, encouraging them to advise their clients to prioritize socializing their puppies.

Roseann Burrets-Baars CPDT-KA, ASC-AAS, CVT has been working with dogs professionally in Monmouth County now for over 15 years. She currently holds two prestigious dog training certifications, a CPDT (Certified Professional Dog Trainer) awarded by the Certification Counsel For Pet Dog Trainers and a Purdue University certification, earned under Dr. Andrew Luescher, a board certified veterinary behavior specialist at the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University. She was one of the first of 136 certified by the CCPDT in the US and Canada (click here to view the press release "first national certification for professional dog trainers"). She is also accomplished academically. She holds an Associates in Science degree (biology major). To learn more about dogs from the inside out she enrolled in the Veterinary Technology program at Camden County College. Recent completion of the course work required to become a licensed vet nurse culminated in graduating at the top of her class with honors and receipt of their coveted departmental excellence award, adding to her academic achievements an additional Associates in Science degree, this time in Animal Science (click here for vital information about a medical emergency known commonly as bloat). She has the following certifications, academic achievements and memberships:

-CPDT-KA (certified professional dog trainer knowledge assessed)
    -Association of Pet Dog Trainers member
    -Purdue University Certified
    -Certified CGC Evaluator
    -Certified in Canine First Aid and CPR: American Red Cross
    -Certified Hospice Volunteer
    -Graduate Veterinary Technician: ASC-AAS (Camden County College)
    -Associates in Science Degree (Biology) Brookdale Community College
    -American Canine Sports Medicine Member
    -New England Sled Dog Club Member

Her dog husbandry, handling, reading and training skills were sharpened while completing a two year apprenticeship at Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption in Accord, N. Y. under world renowned shelter expert Sue Sternberg. During that two year stint she trained, socialized and enriched dogs of all breeds and mixes. Her enthusiastic participation in a program that was developed to rehabilitate dogs surrendered to the shelter helped them to be adopted quicker and remain in their homes longer. She was also responsible for developing curricula for a range of classes including Puppy Development, Training and Socialization, Beginner Obedience and Manners, a Canine Good Citizen preparation course and Just For Fun Agility, in which the focus was on foundation exercises for her puppy students.
    Passionate about learning all she possibly could about dogs she went on to study with a veritable list of "who's who" in the Animal Training and Behavior fields, such as: Jean Donaldson, Ted Turner, Dr. Roger Abrantes, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dr. Raymond Coppinger, Dr. Patricia McConnell, Dr. Pamela Reid, Dr. Andrew Luescher, John Fisher and John Rogerson.
    Her heartfelt desire is to improve the well being of every dog she meets and the bond between dog and owner. She holds the belief that all dogs should be treated humanely, even while being trained; stressing the value and importance of starting the journey during puppyhood. She is devoted to dogs, her clients and her own. She lives with, loves immensely and continues to learn from her four unique and adopted dogs: Trey an incredibly sweet and handsome German Shepherd Dog, Wes a charming mixed breed, Aoife a black and tan bundle of joy, and Joad a mischievous Husky mix.
    Her affiliations with and respect from within the Veterinary community (click here to view a recommendation letter from Red Bank Veterinary Hospital) and the Animal Care Industry (click here to see a recommendation letter from Ursula Goetz-Director of the Monmouth County SPCA) set her apart from the field. She is a lecturer on Dog Behavior, Behavioral Assessment and Matchmaking. She speaks yearly to Ocean County College students participating in the Animal Control Officers certification program. She and her therapy dog extraordinaire, Wes, comfort Hospice patients who can no longer have a dog of their own. In her spare time she enjoys Tracking, Scootering, Agility, Canicross, Dog Sledding, Bikejoring, Hiking.