ABOUT paul

My path began in 2015 when I volunteered at the San Francisco SPCA where I later worked. Learning cooperative animal-handling, practicing positive reinforcement training and facilitating shelter dog playgroups led to working in adoptions and public education, helping people understand dog behavior. This process kindled my passion for animal advocacy in the context of interspecies interactions. I am especially passionate about helping people raise healthy, well-adjusted urban dogs.

My long-term goals involve training cats, dogs and other animals who enjoy interacting with a variety of people for Animal Assisted Interactions in hospitals and hospice care; bringing inter-species connection to the end of life process for patients and their families. 

My evidence-based training and cooperative behavior interventions are grounded in the science of Applied Behavior Analysis, Learning Theory and positive-focused, trust-centered training. I use protocols focused on the N.I.N.A. (non-intrusive, non-aversive) philosophy of animal interactions as well as educating the public in order to help cats, dogs and people all get along better.