Meet the Trainer, Sophie Oldsman| Dog Training

"Sophie’s patience and ingenuity are remarkable" - David and Sara (Sugar's humans)

"Sophie is so encouraging and direct and her positive reinforcement makes every training session a blast" - Kevin (Ella's human)

Meet Sophie Oldsman, M.S., ADT

Sophie graduated from Simmons University with a Master of Science in Behavior Analysis (2021) and has been accredited by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and certified as a SA Professional (SAPro) learned under Julie Naismith. She is also a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). Sophie works as an evaluator at Friendship Works, specifically in the PetPals division, where she screens and assesses canine volunteer applicants. These volunteers will later bring joy to patients in long-term care facilities. She is committed to fear-free training and educating the public on positive reinforcement techniques.

In her free time, Sophie loves walking her GSD/Chow/Pit mix, Meesha, in the woods and on special occasions, the beach.

Explanation of Credentials

It is important to me that you familiarize yourself with the credentials of any trainer you are considering working with. I want to make things as transparent as possible. Here are the certifications/organizations I am a part of.

International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants - ADT - Accredited Dog Trainer

The goals of the IAABC are to standardize and support the practice of animal behavior consulting and training, to provide professional development, and to offer peer support and mentoring for its members.

IAABC credentials are the most rigorous in the field, and assess people working with multiple species both with private clients and in shelters.

https://iaabc.org/

Fear Free Certified Professional

Completing the Fear Free Animal Trainer Program allows trainers to work in partnership with veterinary teams to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress and improve an animal’s emotional well-being during veterinary care and home care. This certification program is designed to give qualified animal trainers the knowledge and tools required to begin implementing Fear Free techniques with their clients’ pets at the veterinary hospital, through in-clinic training classes for puppies and kittens, and in day-to-day training of animals in the home.

https://fearfreepets.com/

Certified Separation Anxiety Professional Trainer

In order to become one of Julie's SA Pro™️ Trainers, participants have to complete an in depth-course and are assessed by Julie before they are granted the SA Pro Trainer™️ certificate. All successful participants must pass three separate assessments. In the first assessment. the participant must develop a training plan for multiple written SA dog scanerios. Then, they must pass an online exam that tested all the material in the 6-week course. And finally, they must develop a training plan for a real client and meet with the dog’s guardian via

Zoom.

https://julienaismith.com/find-a-trainer/