Canadian Megan Stanley Becomes Chair of APDT Board of Directors in January
After two years under the leadership of Robin Bennett of Virginia, the APDT Board of Directors will look to Megan Stanley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, in the role of chair, beginning Jan. 1, 2018.
Megan, from Calgary, Canada, served the past two years as vice-chair. She was first appointed to the board to fill a vacancy, and then elected to a three-year term in October 2015. She has been a member of APDT for more than 10 years and will be attending her 10th APDT conference in 2018 when the organization celebrates its 25th anniversary.
“It has been an honour (did we mention she’s Canadian?) to serve on the Board of Directors and what a privilege it will be to sit as chair for 2018,” Megan said. “I have always been proud to be an APDT member as I strongly believe in our mission of helping to create better trainers through education. We do not discriminate within our membership and our education programs cover everything from law, business and advanced learning.”
Megan said she has learned a lot through the APDT education programs over the years, and enjoyed the opportunity to meet other dog professionals from all over the world at the conventions.
“The profession of dog training has changed a great deal since I first started and what an exciting time we are in,” she added. “I look forward to 2018, meeting and hearing from our members and working together to continue to grow and evolve the APDT. I am also looking forward to celebrating 25 years and seeing everyone in Memphis!
Megan is the owner of Dogma Training and Pet Services Inc., a canine education center that offers daycare, training and retail services between two facilities in Calgary, Canada.
Through Dogma, Megan developed a unique and comprehensive dog training apprenticeship program in Canada, which since its inception has more than 50 graduates.
Megan started as a professional dog trainer with the Calgary Humane Society where she held the position of internal canine behavior coordinator for a year and a half before starting Dogma. She was also a founding member and president of the board for a local animal rescue organization, pause4change Rescue Foundation, and served on the board for the Animal Rescue Foundation. Megan was the designated trainer for the Alberta Rescue Foundation and a consultant for Cochrane Humane Society, transitioning both organizations to become leaders in training. She has also been a certified mentor trainer for Animal Behavior College.
Megan has more than 10 years as a professional dog trainer and education is the core of her business. She recognizes the strong need for regulation in the pet care industry and has set the standard for dog training and daycare in Calgary through Dogma. She provides education through her business, free online resources to dog owners and trainers and through speaking engagements, such as the APDT conference.
Most recently, Megan launched www.everydoghasitsdayblog.com to create a community of support and sharing for entrepreneurs. She believes life is too short to not do what we love, and strives to inspire and encourage others to follow their dreams.