Qualifications
Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy)
(Curtin University of Western Australia)
Diploma of Canine Behaviour Science and Technology (With Distinction)
(Companion Animal Sciences Institute: CASI)
Methods and Ethics
© Cathy Lester
."Learning shouldn't hurt" sums it up nicely. One of Sonya's favourite catch phrases is, "if it 'aint fun, you just 'aint doin' it right!" Sonya does not use physical force (with hands, leads or other devices), psychological intimidation, painful methods or those that create fear to gain results in dogs.....or their guardians.
Sonya maintains the stance of CASI which is "that animal friendly, positive reinforcement-based methods are the most effective, and least intrusive and risk laden methods to use in animal training and behaviour change programming, and most conducive to facilitate the human animal bond. Aversive stimulation and positive punishment/negative reinforcement based methods are unethical, inefficient and ineffective as a first line approach; they risk serious harm and are the most likely methods to deteriorate the human animal bond."
Sonya is a member of the Association of Animal Behaviour Professionals where "professionals do not use, condone or endorse aversive behaviour change methods such as, but not limited to choke chains, prong collars, electronic invisible fencing or electronic shock-collars. Professionals do not use, condone or endorse aversive behaviour change methods such as but not limited to leash corrections, helicoptering, hanging, alpha-rolling, scruff-shaking, spraying the animal in the face with fluid, throwing things at the animal, hitting in any way or otherwise creating fear or pain in animals."
Training and behavioural modification follows the least intrusive effective behaviour intervention model.
Sonya maintains the stance of CASI which is "that animal friendly, positive reinforcement-based methods are the most effective, and least intrusive and risk laden methods to use in animal training and behaviour change programming, and most conducive to facilitate the human animal bond. Aversive stimulation and positive punishment/negative reinforcement based methods are unethical, inefficient and ineffective as a first line approach; they risk serious harm and are the most likely methods to deteriorate the human animal bond."
Sonya is a member of the Association of Animal Behaviour Professionals where "professionals do not use, condone or endorse aversive behaviour change methods such as, but not limited to choke chains, prong collars, electronic invisible fencing or electronic shock-collars. Professionals do not use, condone or endorse aversive behaviour change methods such as but not limited to leash corrections, helicoptering, hanging, alpha-rolling, scruff-shaking, spraying the animal in the face with fluid, throwing things at the animal, hitting in any way or otherwise creating fear or pain in animals."
Training and behavioural modification follows the least intrusive effective behaviour intervention model.
Membership
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Special thanks to artist Cathy Lester and Never Shock A Puppy for the use of the graphics.