Russ Barnstein
"Russ Barnstein is a former Veterinary Technician and Professional Horse Handler. In his career he studied Animal Science and English Language & Literature, and has plied his trade as a Canine High Altitude Rescue Worker, dog trainer, and poultry expert. His specialty and personal favorite is working breed horses, especially Percherons and Belgians."
Virpi Leskinen;
MSc (Agriculture and Forestry) is a Finnish dog breeder, dog trainer and dog sport enthusiast. She breeds Briards on a small scale under the prefix Chaccado, and has helped train both dog owners and dogs of varying breeds actively over 20 years. Virpi has studied dog behavior and passed both the Finnish kennel Club and Finnish Working Dog Association trainer qualifications, as well as trained with Finland’s top handlers in several different dog sports. Virpi has also studied pedagogics, and in her opinion, a good trainer is a person who knows the theory behind dog training, has an “eye” for dog behavior, and has also proven to be successful in applying his or her knowledge in practice –with both dog owners and dogs.
With her own Briards, Virpi competes in both obedience trials and Finnish national working dog trials, such as search work and tracking. The younger of Virpi’s Briards, Raili (Carpe Diem de la Chaume du Bois Dieu) is now in the beginning of her career, whereas Taimi (Tabula Rasa de la Chaume du Bois Dieu) is a Finnish obedience champion and has trialed, for example, in the Finnish championships and in the obedience rings in France. Virpi also works with young people in the employment sector.
Carlotta Cooper:
A freelance writer who specializes in writing about dogs. She's been breeding and showing English Setters since 1987. She's a member of the English Setter Association of America and the Central Carolina English Setter Club. She's produced conformation champions, hunting dogs, and dogs for obedience and agility as well as therapy dogs.
Michelle Tomars:
A freelance writer and horsemanship instructor based out of Wisconsin. She holds a Bachelors degree in animal science and has spent the last 15 years working with and writing about a wide variety of animals.
Shel Gatto:
Shel Gatto has a deep appreciation for living things, especially those of the canine variety. Each day brings new writing projects and another opportunity for Shel to enjoy time with her husband and their three beloved canine companions in their Pennsylvania home. Having lived with and around dogs her entire life, Shel cherishes her pets whom provide inspiration for much of her writing.
Mike Haydon:
A professional writer and has been contributing articles to websites for many years. He writes in a few specialty niches but can adapt to just about any style and subject matter. He has a preference for writing about personal finance and health issues, but has always retained a soft spot for cats. He writes with pride and exuberance on any subject matter and when you are ready for top-quality content go to www.mikeywrites.com
Penny Swift
An internationally published author who has written more than 40 books on topics ranging from DIY and home improvement, to horse and animal care. A former newspaper journalist, she has also written countless articles on just about every subject imaginable, specializing in whatever is close to her heart at the time. She lives on a small farm in South Africa with her husband, three adult children, four dogs, four cats, horses, three cows, one sheep, numerous chickens, and a duck that thinks she is a chicken.
Kim Downing; CPDT-KA
Kim Downing is both a certified dog trainer and a freelance writer specializing in dogs and training. As a professional trainer, Kim is a member of the Association of Pet Trainers as well as serves as a voice for the Association on the Communications Committee. She is a certified evaluator for the AKC's Canine Good Citizen program and is a former service dog trainer. Kim actively offers training services through classes and private consultations under the name of Your Best Dog.
Kim has a long background in dogs from the conformation world of her childhood to competing in performance events like obedience, rally, and agility. She is a member of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America.
As a freelance writer, dog training is the premiere topic written about for a variety of world-wide clients. She also serves as the training expert for a member's only dog website.
Sirena Van Schaik
Sirena Van Schaik was born in British Columbia, Canada and was the youngest of 4 and has a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a dog and animal lover from her earliest years and has a large well of experience in the dog world through showing and breeding, although she no longer does either.
She has written several e-books and has been published in a range of magazines including Mothering Magazine and Runway Magazine. She currently enjoys a full time career as a freelance writer and author and her first novel is scheduled for publication in the near future.
Susan Mathews
Susan Mathews is an avid animal enthusiast and dog lover. With her prior know-how in pet care, training and pet handling, she strives to educate both first time and experienced pet owners about the intricacies of pet rearing.
Susan is a proud owner of five beautiful pooches: Dastardly and Muttley, the two bulldogs named after the famous cartoon duo of the same name; Grumplestiltskin, the adorably cantankerous mutt; Bonnie and Clyde, the two Irish Setters; and Obelix, the larger than life Great Dane.
Susan wants to one day be the proud writer of a column called Petcetera. Until then, she is content writing a bunch of pet articles to help keep you informed.
Cheryline Lawson
Cheryline Lawson has been an avid and passionate writer since the year 2000. She writes on various topics by utilizing her excellent research skills and experience. Ms. Lawson takes pride in bringing informative content to the readers in a commanding fashion.
