Kate Abbott, Petra Burke & Liz Palika
LIZ PALIKA
Liz Palika has been writing professionally since 1985 when she was first published in DOG FANCY magazine. Since then she has written more than fifty books and more than 1,000 magazine articles and columns. She has been published in DOG FANCY, DOG WORLD, CATS, CAT FANCY, AKC GAZETTE, and other pet publications, as well as NEWSWEEK, THE SATURDAY EVENING POST and WOMEN FIRST.
Her books include KISS Guide to Raising a Puppy (Keep It Simple Series) which is becoming a favorite with new puppy owners. Breeders, including Joel Towart of Bellington German Shepherds in Fallbrook, CA, are sending this book home with new puppy buyers. The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook: Homemade Goodies for Man's Best Friend received rave reviews in magazines and newspapers all over the country, including USA TODAY. All Dogs Need Some Training was listed by PET LIFE MAGAZINE as one of the ten best training books available to dog owners.
Liz’s books have been awarded many honors. The Australian Shepherd: Champion of Versatility won Best Breed Book from Dog Writers Association of America and Best Nonfiction Book from San Diego Book Writers. Save That Dog: Everything You Need to Know About Adopting a Purebred Rescue Dog won best General Reference Book from Dog Writers and the First ASPCA Pet Overpopulation Answers Award from the ASPCA. Liz’s work has also won awards from Cat Writers and Purina, as well as others from Dog Writers. Liz was honored with the San Diego Leadership Award, was a North County Woman of Merit, and in 2005 was awarded Dog Writers Distinguished Service Award.
Liz has been teaching dogs and their owners in North County San Diego for almost 25 years. Her dog training is based on an understanding of dogs and what makes them tick. A former member of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors and founding member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), Liz is also a charter member of the International Association of Canine Professionals, and is a Certified Dog Trainer (CDT) through this organization. She is also a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and an AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator #4182.
Working in Vista, California ( San Diego County), Liz trains over a thousand dogs and their families a year, and has put obedience titles on over 20 dogs of her own, from Doberman Pinschers to Papillons, in addition to her beloved Australian Shepherds.
Liz also founded the Love On A Leash therapy dog program, which reaches out to patients of hospitals and residents of retirement centers.
Liz and her husband Paul also share a love of reptiles and amphibians, owning a collection of varied and rare species. They help with rescue and Liz has also written extensively on these beautiful and unusual creatures.
PETRA BURKE
Petra Burke has been working with Liz for over fifteen years. She teaches classes, has served as co-chair of the Pet Care Center at the San Diego County Fair and is also active in the therapy dog program. She does many school visits, teaching kids about dogs and working with a dog bite prevention program. She has also done private training for many years and has a special interest in training deaf dogs.
KATE ABBOTT
Kate Abbott has been training dogs and their owners for many years, through a security company, as a veterinary technician, and with Kindred Spirits Dog Training. Kate does all of Kindred Spirits' private, one-on-one training.