Access to Behavior Consulting was founded by Dr. Anamarie Johnson. She received her Doctorate in Psychology with her dissertation focusing on dog training methodology in the United States and the welfare and ethics surrounding the use of aversive dog training methods. Her research has been featured on NPR’s Science Friday, Psychology Today, and Undark Magazine.
But her heart is with rescue animals. Over fifteen years ago, she started working for a small foster-based organization which led her to her interest in understanding more about animal behavior. Anamarie is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) and a certified canine behavior consultant (CBCC-KA) having supported families with new puppies, young adults, and dogs with behavior concerns — ranging from simple to complex — using non-aversive training methods. Having this breadth of experience in the private sector allowed her to translate her skills to the shelter environment consulting with dogs from under socialized background at the ASPCA’s Behavior Rehab Center at St. Hubert’s as well as creating behavior protocols for public-private shelter partnerships. This extensive history and educational background in the shelter and training provides her a unique insight into the ins and outs of the shelter world and what leads to successful and sustainable behavior practices.
The goal of Access to Behavior Consulting is to make non-aversive training and behavior support more accessible focusing on animal welfare organizations that may not have the financial means to fund behavior departments or are looking to provide better support to their communities. However, accessibility is just one aspect of implementation - Access to Behavior Consulting also aims to ensure that the provided recommendations are feasible and easily applied for all community members.
Science, training, and its practice is only as good as its ability to be accessible to all.
What to expect when you work with Anamarie
Compassion, understanding and humor
The first thing that comes to mind when people think about Anamarie and animals is her ridiculous animal goofy voice. But don’t let that fool you- all wrapped up in that voice is a person who is extremely passionate about her work and animals.