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Barbara Long, APDT Outstanding
Trainer of the Year 2004
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Barbara Long’s involvement in
dog training began with a problem pet of her own. She started training her
dog with the Animal Protection Society of Orange County (APS) Dog Training
Program. She found that working with her dog using positive reinforcement
techniques made all the difference — such a difference, in fact, that she
went on to assist with, then instruct classes for APS.
Barbara began working for
the Animal Protection Society of Orange County in 1987, and managed their
shelter for five years. A founding member of the APS Dog Training Club, she
continues to teach classes for APS and coordinates their continuing
education seminars for dog trainers. Barbara also coaches the APS Dog Drill Team — a group that performs in
parades and competitions.
Barbara is a charter member
of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and the Carolina Trainers
forum. In 2001, she became a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) — the first
trainer in North Carolina to achieve this certification. She has attended all APDT conferences since their first
conference in Orlando in 1994. More recently, she
was the co-presenter of the “Team Freestyle” session at the 2002 conference
in Portland, and presented the “Fun Field Trips” session in Orlando in 2003.
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Thatcher
December 7, 1988–August 18, 2005
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Barbara has served two terms on the board of directors of the Chatham Animal
Rescue and Education (CARE) and currently volunteers on their Animal Welfare
and Humane Education Committees. She competes in Rally obedience and Canine
Freestyle with her eight-year-old Gordon Setter Selkie and is attempting to
train her year-old Gordon Setter Niamh.
Barbara was profiled in the
book Careers with Animals by Willow Sirch.
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