Had a BLAST at the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference in Atlanta Ga in Oct.

[Nothing To Do With Doodles]

I have been so busy with various things, I've been negligent in my postings here on DoodleKisses. I must post about the wonderful conference I attended for 5 days in Atlanta conducted by the APDT.  Not only did I hear great presentations from some of the top dog trainers from Great Britain and the US, but I actually met and had one on one discussions with Dr. Ian Dunbar, John Rogerson, Dr. RiseVanFleet, and the co-author of Labrador Retrievers for Dummies , Joel Walton.  However, the 2 highlights of my whole trip was to meet and talk with, none other than, Dr Temple Grandin who was the featured speaker on Sunday!  We met at the APDT auction Saturday night and I told her about training Psychiatric Services dogs.  She asked me to step into the lobby where it was quieter and we had a wonderful 20 minute chat before she went to her room for the night.  She gave me lots of insight about how children with Autism think and how to relate to the dogs.

 

The 2nd highlight was the fact I won the "Distressed Stuffed" Pig donated by Dr Patricia McConnell.  This was Willie, her Border Collie's toy.  After the auction, Ian Dunbar and I discussed donating it back to Dr. McConnell after taking my picture with it, and making it a tradition at each yearly auction.   I emailed Dr. McConnell with this idea who responded by endorsing the idea.  I think I need to take a picture of myself with Deuce and Chance sitting behind the pig.  Any ideas?  Also I thought about attaching a small collar around the pig with a dog tag stating something like 2010 Auction Winner Leigh Kiser and then the following years winners could add their own tags.  Any thoughts on that?  Will post pics as soon as the dogs get their grooming.  They have to look nice!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Wow, this sounds like a fantastic experience. I would absolutely LOVE to meet Dr Temple Grandin....must have been amazing.

[Diane]

I heard her speak at Dartmouth College a few years ago. Didn't get to meet her but her speech was excellent! I am thankful that she shares so much about the perspective of living with autism, and in such a positive way.

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

What an incredible opportunity for you Leigh to meet Temple Grandin. What a window into her world you were given. Wow!

About the tag idea....I think it's WONDERFUL! Love the idea! Can't wait to see pictures :).

[F, Calla & Luca]

What a wonderful opportunity to meet so many interesting people and get insights, especially from Temple Grandin.

[Kyoko]

WoW! What a great experience!!! I would LOVE to meet and speak with Temple Grandin one day.....

[Jennifer and Jack]

Oh I just adore Temple Grandin, I think she is amazing. I admire what she has done with her life, the challenges she has overcome and also her great love of animals.

 

I would love to go see her, to hear her speak in person. I love her book, Animals Make Us Human"