EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION & MEMBERSHIPS

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS & EDUCATION

Paula Ford, owner, teacher, and animal chaplain of Karuna Animal Behavior Therapy, LLC, continually expands and develops her knowledge and understanding of animal behavior and psychology, training, certification, and implementation of novel choice-based training, and teaching modalities and practices which energetically support healing through both formal education and a variety of continuing education opportunities. 

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Science - Biology; UNC-Wilmington
• Bachelor of Science - BSMT (ASCP); Wake Forest University - Bowman Gray School of Medicine

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

• Professional Certified Dog Trainer, Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT-KA) 
• Certified Animal Reiki Teacher, Let Animals Lead® by Kathleen Prasad
• Ordained Animal Chaplain - Compassion Consortium
• Certified Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula Professional, University of Vermont
• Certified Family Dog Mediator®️ - L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Professional by Kim Brophey
• Certified Instructor, Puppy Start Right, Karen Pryor Academy
• Certified Animal First Aid & CPR, American Red Cross
• Certified Fear Free Shelters Program 

CONTINUING EDUCATION 

In-person learning, virtual learning, and interactive professional conferences with respected professionals in various areas of expertise, including:  

• Slow Thinking is Lifesaving for Dogs™ by Laura Donaldson
• Animal training and behavior - from iconic trail-blazers to new voices expanding our understanding, such as Karen Pryor, Patricia McConnell, Jean Donaldson, Christopher Pachel, Susan Friedman, Denise Fenzi, Sharon Carroll, Zazie Todd, and others 
• Veterinarians and Veterinary Behaviorists - such as Dr. Amy Pike and Dr. Chris Pachel 
• Animal sheltering, animal rescue, and sanctuary professionals - such as Fear Free Pets and SARA (Shelter Animal Reiki Association) 
• Animal Reiki and other energetic modalities that support healing, such as the Let Animals Lead® method created by Kathleen Prasad
• End-of-life Doula care for both animals and human beings