FRiSKY FiTNESS
Lifestyle Evolution for dogs and people!
Standing on the shoulders of giants...
I wouldn't be who I am were it not for the influence of a few pivotal characters in the story of my life. In order for you to understand who I am, I will tell you who they are.
From my Mom I learned that my dreams were a roadmap. They were to be followed creatively, with an open heart and an eternal sense of wonder. From my Dad, I learned that structure and discipline enable dreams to become tangible in the real world. From them both, I learned that service to others is paramount in the quest for personal and spiritual fulfillment.
From Bonnie Bergin, I learned how to train service dogs. And also that I have what it takes to change the world in my very own, very special, and very profound way.
From Jane Goodall I learned that a life's work happens not overnight, but over a lifetime. I've been honored to meet her more than once. The first time, I gave her a letter regarding my work with whales and dolphins. The second time I gave her a copy of my book, Conversations With Dog. Both times, several weeks later, I received personal, hand-written postcards in the mail from Dr. Goodall herself. Here she is pictured with my friends, our service dogs in training, and me, at an event in Santa Rosa in 2013.
Jane Goodall
Bonnie Bergin
Mom
Dad
From Cesar Millan, I've learned to understand dogs -- and myself -- from an energetic perspective. His philosophies and practices -- even where they supposedly "diverge" from Bonnie Bergin's and others' teachings in positive reinforcement training -- have shaped the trainer and person that I am today. I do not feel his way contradicts the behaviorists' way; they compliment one another to form a more balanced approach than one method or another by itself. (I was able to give him copies of both my books of dogs in Hawaii).
Cesar Millan
Marc Bekoff
From Mark Bekoff, I learned that the study of cognitive ethology, specifically the once intangible realm of animal emotion, is a viable field ripe for scientific exploration. And for his faith in me, I gained confidence in my ideas as an academic, and my skills as a speaker and presenter.
Betty White
From Betty White, I've siphoned loving comfort in the darkest of days, especially while grieving for my mom. To meet her was to be touched by an angel. I trained a service dog for a child with autism, whom I named Betty after the iconic Betty White. We went to a taping of Hot In Cleveland, and by the grace of a million stars aligning just so, we were able to get the two beautiful Bettys within kissing range of one another. I even stole a hug and some kisses for myself. What a gift that was - and she is!