For Trainers & Animal Professionals
Sound Dog Connection offers mentorship, coaching, and continuing education opportunities for trainers, behaviorists, and animal professionals. These programs are designed to deepen understanding of applied behavior analysis, real-world case management, and enrichment-based approaches.
The Sound Dog Connection Mentorship Program is for those dedicated to learning the science of behavior analysis and how to apply this to working with dogs and their humans. This one year, fee-based program, is designed to prepare individuals for the CBCC-KA certification exam, through CPDT.
What You'll Gain
- Practical frameworks for assessment and intervention
- Guidance on complex behavior cases
- Exposure to enrichment integration like K9 Nose Work®
- Feedback and mentoring from an experienced behavior consultant
Kristina McNair
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
My name is Kristina McNair, and I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through Karen Pryor Academy (KPA-CTP).
My passion for dog training began when I was just 9 years old. My family was overwhelmed by our dog’s behavior and began talking about rehoming them. Determined to help, I started reading everything I could—over 40 books on training and behavior—and applied what I learned with our dogs nearly every day. Their transformation not only helped keep them in the family but also sparked a lifelong love for animal behavior and positive reinforcement training.
What started as a personal passion became a professional path. I have worked professionally as a dog trainer for the past five years, while also getting the chance to dabble in training a few other species—including cats, chickens, and even crows, bringing a bit of variety and fun to my experience! Additionally, I worked in a veterinary clinic under Dr. Ramanathan, where I developed a strong foundation in animal health, body language, and behavior.
I’m honored to be apprenticing with Ann Waterbury, whose extensive knowledge, experience, and thoughtful guidance continue to shape me into the trainer I aspire to grow into.
Amy DeMuth, BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and moved to Raleigh, NC in 2004. I have been in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for over 15 years, working with children and adults with Autism both as an in person and telehealth provider.
In 2021, I completed my Dog Training Comprehensive coursework through the Karen Pryor Academy along with obtaining my certificate in Applied Animal Behavior under the instruction of Dr. James Ha at the University of Washington. Through our alumni network, I met Ann and was introduced to Sound Dog Connection.
I have always had a passion for animals, especially dogs. Over the past 5 years, I have been a part of the Triangle Beagle Rescue, where I serve as a volunteer and behavior consultant for new dog owners. My drive for learning more about animal behavior came in the year 2018 when my husband and I adopted our rescue beagle, Tito. About 3 months into his adoption, we started seeing high rates of aggression towards us as well as our other dog.
With the help of an animal behaviorist and a solid behavior plan, our sweet Tito is now a loving and cherished member of the family. After that consult with the animal behaviorist, I had a desire to learn more about how our animals learn and behave and from there I have decided to make the switch to working with both humans and animals. I love teaching others about behavior and the functions that those behaviors serve. When we learn how to respond appropriately to behaviors, the better our communication is not only with other people, but also with our four-legged friends. I very much am looking forward to being a part of Sound Dog Connection. Their core values, dedication, and drive for helping both people and their pets to live a better, happier, and more fulfilling life together is what I am most excited about.