Work:
McDonald Canine Academy - Canine Behaviorist
About:
Aaron McDonald is a canine behaviorist, dog trainer, consultant, and Partner at McDonald Canine Academy in Birmingham, AL. with a special interest in human/canine behavioral dynamics. With over 10 ye...
Tagline:
Affordable In-Home dog training in Birmingham Alabama. Learn to be the “pack leader” and establish the relationship you and your pet will love. Veterinarian and Ph.D endorsed – a leader in advanced behavior modification techniques serving Birmingham for over 10 years.
Bragging Rights:
Served in Iraq as the personal family canine handler and instructor for Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani. Assisting in on-site program development of the first Iraqi national canine explosives detection program for the Ministry of Defense, Kurdistan Regional Government Co-creator and lead manager of an innovative Dog-Assisted Work Therapy (DAWT) program for persons suffering with mental illness at East Side Mental Health Center. This program was co-developed with Kevin McDonald, canine behaviorist and Dr. Joesph Schumacher, PhD, clinical psychology. Rehabilitation of dysfunctional canine behavior and modification of human/canine relationship dynamics and intercommunication – over 9590hrs of instruction Preparatory training of dog / handler teams for certification as Therapy Dog Teams; to visit hospitals, hospices, and nursing homes Experience with the importation, exportation, evaluation and selection of canines domestically and abroad in Europe and in the Middle East for Head of State (HOS) security detail Presented canine aggression safety seminar for parenting students at Birmingham City Schools, 2007 Presented to University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Preventative Medicines Grand Rounds, Dog-assisted work therapy for Veterans; Proposal for research and practice, November 8th, 2010 Served as faculty member for Alabama Council of Community Mental Health Boards, 37th Annual Conference, “Dog-assisted Work Therapy”, May 2011 Presenter at Schocco Springs 2011 Annual Mental Health Conference Presenter of “Companion Dogs – A New Approach” at 2011 NAMI Annual State Conference in Montgomery, AL Presenter “Canine Transitional Partners” at East Side Mental Health Center, Birmingham, AL Feb 2012 Presenter “The Way of the Dog”, an educational seminar for Huntsville area dog trainers, May 2012 Other interests: Aaron is an accomplished artist, winning grand prize in the state of Alabama’s largest art competition. He volunteers as an Associate Member and program coordinator with the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge local chapter, plays bass guitar in a band, and is an aviation enthusiast.
