Mary L. Harwelik-- Profile & Credentials:

Experience

  • Trained her first dog in 1985.
  • Trained under no less than 5 obedience instructors.
  • Assisted three trainers in their classes before beginning to take on professional clients in 2000.
  • Dog & cat groomer for a period of about 2 years, in two seperate shops.
  • Began riding horses in 1988; mainly huntseat equitation & Western pleasure; competed locally. Some horse training.
  • Volunteer work with Jenkinson's Aquariam in Pt. Pleasant NJ, 2002-03.
  • Training/Behavior work for Best Friends Pet Adoption, NJ.
  • Training/behavior work for People For Animals, NJ.
  • Dog handling instruction for volunteers for People For Animals, NJ.
  • Dog handling & training instruction for volunteers for Animal Adoption Center in Lindenwold, NJ.
  • AKC conformation competitor.
  • Founded Peaceable Canines in 2006.
  • Instructor for Gimme A Paw Dog Training School, Hawthorne NJ since 2007.

    Degrees/Certifications:

  • Associate's Degree in Psychology (2003)
  • Certified CGC Evaluator (2004)
  • Certified Reiki Level 3 Practitioner (2007)
  • CCPDT Certified Pet Dog Trainer (2007)

    Dog Titles/Certificates Earned:

  • CGC--2
  • AACD--1

    Seminars, Workshops, & Lectures Attended

  • Reiki Fundamentals (2 days)--2006
  • Brenda Aloff Aggression Seminar (2 days)--2006
  • Clicker Expo (3 days)--2006
  • Dr. Pamela Reid Aggression Seminar--2006
  • Karen Pryor Basic Clicker Training Lecture--2002
  • Animal Welfare Federation of NJ Conference--2002
  • Sue Sternberg Shelter Dog Evaluation Seminar--2000
  • Penelope Smith Animal Communication Mini-Workshop--1999

    Website Contributions, Media Mentions & Articles

  • Dog Tips--"Watch Me" Article with Contribution by M. Harwelik
  • Celebration of Animals, 2001
  • IACP Housbreaking Article by M. Harwelik
  • EDBA "A Wretched Breed?" Article with quote by M. Harwelik
  • Pit Bulls Found in Dog Fighting Ring
  • Bad Rap--M. Harwelik article link
  • GPCA--"Pet Shops, Puppymills & Why You Should Avoid Them", report by M. Harwelik
  • Interviewed for & quoted in the 2005 Bully Breeds Training Secrets annual edition by Fancy Publications.
  • Pit Bull History Article by M. Harwelik Reprinted on Animal Alliance website
  • Quoted in Yahoo! Answers
  • Resource for article: Pit Bulls, Friend or Foe?

    Professional Affiliations

  • Pit Bull Owners Alliance--Contributor Codes of Ethics
  • American Kennel Club--Competition; CGC Evaluator
  • Association of Pet Dog Trainers--Professional member
  • American Dog Owners Association--Member