Professional Bio

Education

  • Presently enrolled in Athabasca University in the psychology department
  • Extensive coursework in psychology and animal behavior
  • Diploma of Advanced Canine Psychology
  • Certificate in Behavior Modification for Professionals, graduated With Distinction
  • Diploma of Animal Sciences
  • Diploma of Police Sciences
  • Dog Nutrition Certificates (companion animal) levels 1, 2 and 3
  • Clinical Nutrition (Companion Animal)
  • Vegetarian and Vegan Nutrition Certificate
  • Certified Small Animal Specialist course
  • Certified Avian Specialist course
  • Certified Reptile Specialist course


Certification

  • Professional Animal Behavior Consultant (AABP)
  • Certified Animal Behavior Consultant (IAABC)
  • Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (IAABC)
  • Certified Small Animal Specialist (PIJAC)
  • Certified Avian Specialist (PIJAC)
  • Certified Reptile Specialist (PIJAC)


Projects


Memberships & Other


Publications:

Books (translations published in German, Polish and Spanish):

  • O'Heare, J. (2010) Behavior Change Project Management. BehaveTech Publishing.
  • O'Heare, J. (2010) Empowerment Training. BehaveTech Publishing.
  • O'Heare, J. (2009) Separation Distress and Dogs. BehaveTech Publishing.
  • O'Heare, J. (2008) Vegan Dogs: Compassionate Nutrition. http://www.vegandognutritionassociation.com/vegandognutrition.html
  • O’Heare, J. (2007) The Dog Aggression Workbook. DogPsych Publishing.
  • O’Heare, J. (2007) Aggressive Behavior in Dogs: A Comprehensive Technical Manual for Professionals. DogPsych Publishing.
  • O’Heare, J. (2005) Raw Meat Diets for Cats and Dogs? DogPsych Publishing.
  • O’Heare, J. (2003). Dominance Theory and Dogs. DogPsych Publishing.
  • O’Heare, J. (2001). Canine Neuropsychology for Dog Behavior Counselors and Trainers. DogPsych Publishing.
  • O’Heare, J. (2000). The Canine Aggression Workbook. DogPsych Publishing. (out of print - replaced by Dog Aggression Workbook)
  • O’Heare, J. (2000). The Canine Separation Anxiety Workbook. Gentle Solutions Publishing. (out of print - replaced by Separation Distress in Dogs)


Published Articles:

  • O'Heare, J. (2009). The least intrusive effective behavior intervention (LIEBI) algorithm and levels of intrusiveness table: A proposed best practice model. Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior, 3, 7–25. Available at http://www.associationofanimalbehaviorprofessionals.com/liebi.pdf
  • O’Heare, J. (2008). An analytical evaluation of “differential negative reinforcement of successive approximations to alternative behavior” procedures in changing aggressive behaviors: a contribution to the dialogue. Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior, 2(1), 33–49. 
  • O'Heare, J. (2007). Social dominance: Useful construct or quagmire? Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior, 1(1), 56-83.
  • O'Heare, J., and Santos, A. (2007). Why do people use harsh punitive behavior on dogs and how can we modify it? Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior, 1(1), 15-21.
  • O’Heare, J. (2005) Understanding Emotion in Dogs. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers UK Newsletter Summer 2005.
  • O’Heare, J. (2004) Real Life Group Dog Training Classes – Association of Pet Dog Trainers Newsletter.
  • O’Heare, J. (2003) Competitive vs. Cooperative relations with Dogs -- Editorial. Published on www.ACABN.com/caninearticles.html
  • O’Heare, J. (2003) Event Expectancy and Canine Self-esteem (revised). Published on www.ACABN.com/caninearticles.html
  • O’Heare, J. (2002). Event Expectancy and Canine Self-esteem. Journal of The Academy of Canine Behavioral Theory, Vol.1, No.3.
  • O’Heare, J. (2002). Review and Critique of Pack Theory Models and an Introduction to Alternative Models of Domestic Dog Social Behavior. Journal of The Academy of Canine Behavioral Theory, Vol.1, No.1.
  • O’Heare, J. (2002). Mar/Apr. Canine Neuropsychology and Dog Training. Association of Pet Dog Trainers Newsletter.
  • O’Heare, J. (2001). Sep/Oct. The Effects of Spaying and Neutering on Canine Behavior. Off Lead Magazine.
  • O’Heare, J. (2001). Fall. Apart From You (Separation Anxiety in dogs). Canadian Association Of Professional Pet Dog Trainers Forum Magazine.
  • O’Heare, J., and Steinker, A. (2001). Oct. Management and Prevention of Stress in Agility Dogs. Clean Run Magazine.
  • O’Heare, J. (2001). Jul/Aug. Separation Anxiety. Off Lead Magazine.
  • O’Heare, J. (2001). Summer. Mind Over Manners (Chemical Reactions in the Dog’s Brain and Behavior Problem Treatment). Canadian Association Of Professional Pet Dog Trainers Forum Magazine.
  • O’Heare, J. (1999).  Jenny’s Gastrointestinal Challenge. Modern Ferret Magazine. Vol 4 No. 2. 55-57.
  • O’Heare, J. (1998). New Ferret Introduction – Jenny’s Story. Modern Ferret Magazine. Vol. 3 No. 5. 24-28.


EDUCATION INFORMATION
I have taken university courses in psychology, philosophy, ethics, learning, research methods, counseling, companion animal behavior and other topics in order to develop my knowledge and competencies in the field of animal behavior consulting. Below is a list of these courses. Presently enrolled with Athabasca University.

Athabasca University (First Year Honours in recognition of academic excellence)

ENGL-255 English Writing Composition

HLST-320 Teaching & Learning for Health Professionals

PSY-387 Learning

PSY-289 Psychology as a Natural Science

PHIL-152 Basic Critical Thinking

PHIL-252 Critical Thinking

PHIL-231Introduction to Philosophy

PHIL-350 Ethics

PHIL-333 Professional Ethics

PHIL-375 Philosophy of the Environment (Topic Focus: human relationship with nonhuman animals)


Alternatively-accredited, courses (Several years back, I completed my undergraduate and graduate university studies in good faith. I have subsequently become dissatisfied with the credibility of the accreditation held by these schools. The programs of study themselves seemed at an appropriate standard but I was ignorant of the intricacies of the American voluntary accreditation system. While perfectly legal and valid, the degrees they awarded (B.S., M.A., Ph.D.) are generally not perceived as particularly prestigious by some people. This was many years ago and I shortly thereafter, had the issue raised to me and I immediately discontinued "using" the degrees. I have no interest in utilizing them given their perceived lack of credibility. Nevertheless, I actually achieved the learning objectives and the courses are therefore listed below.)

B.S. Psychology

CS-475 Crisis Intervention

PY-330 Educational Psychology

PY-340 General Psychology

SW-360 Professional Ethics

PY-460 Diagnostic Techniques

PY-465 Biological Psychology

PY-478 Statistics and Research Methods

CS-490 Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

PY-439 Comparative Psychology

PY-435 Abnormal Psychology

M.A. Counseling Psychology

PY-538 Learning Theories

CS-587 Death and Dying

PY-530 Cognitive Psychology

PY-590 Psychopathology

PY-535 Theories of Personality

PY-545 Tests and Measurements

CS-520 Ethics for Counselors

PY-528 Research and Evaluation

PY-523 Human Development

CS-530 Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy

PY-520 Ethics for Psychologists

CS-532 Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy

Ph.D. Comparative Psychology

SD-880 Learning Theory and Behavior Modification

SD-900 Separation Anxiety in Companion Dogs

SD-930 (Specialty Symposium) Aggression in Companion Dogs

SD-840 Animal Behavior

PSY-993 Philosophy of Self

Dissertation program

Dissertation proposal


Diploma of Advanced Canine Psychology
Animal Care College

Intermediate Canine Psychology

  • Unit 1. The dog's brain. The physical and mental development of the puppy. How early experiences affect behaviour. How dogs learn.
  • Unit 2. Natural behaviours of the dog.  What owners expect. Why and how owners seek to change some behaviours. The Psychological and physiological effects of neutering
  • Unit 3. Canine senses How they compare and differ from those of the human. Canine communication - verbal and body language. Learning to read the signals
  • Unit 4. The intelligent dog. How mental stimulation increases the dog's intelligence and ability to learn. The importance of play
  • Special study must be completed during this course


Advanced Canine Psychology

  • Unit 1. The Modern Dog/Human relationship - The dog as companion, working partner, support, and procreator of the next generation. Owner attitudes. How lifestyle affects behaviour.
  • Unit 2. Training past and present - Early training methods. How training has changed. Modern methods explained, Shaping, Reward and punishment. Owner in-fluences on training. Using training aids. The role of the instructor.
  • Unit 3. The Psychology of Learning - Normal dog behaviour. The way the dog learns. Schedules of Reinforcement. Stress and how it affects behaviour. Considering sensitivity. How important are breed characteristics? The faces of aggression.
  • Unit 4. Food, Glorious Food - Modern feeding methods compared. What does it means? Additives and preservatives. The process of digestion. Modifying diet and how it may affect behaviour.
  • Unit 5. Health and Behaviour - Common Problems. How health affects behaviour. Veterinary checks. Common behaviour problems - considering physical and environmental causes. The development of drug therapy. Real life Case Histories.
  • Special Study showing independent research and thought on a relevant topic of the student's choice is required for this course.


Post Graduate course: Behavior Modification for Professionals

  • Unit 1. Understanding the Dog - The natural behaviours of dogs, the effects of socialisation, how dogs learn, modern lifestyle and its effects on behaviour, up to date training methods
  • Unit 2. Diet, Health and Behaviour - The dog's nutritional needs, how diet affects behaviour, different feeding methods, making changes and monitoring effects, health and behavioural changes, neutering and its effects on behaviour
  • Unit 3. Other Influences on Behaviour - Stress and its effects, physiological and temperament changes in dogs in a confined environment, owner misconceptions, breakdowns in communica-tion between owner and dog
  • Unit 4. Behaviour Problems and their Modification - Assessing the problem, common behavioural problems and techniques for modification, monitoring progress, relationships with owners and other professionals, recognising personal limitations



Diploma of Animal Sciences
ICS Canada

YOUR FUTURE IN ANIMAL SCIENCES Animals and Humans: A Mutual Dependence; The Domestication of Animals; The Need for Animals Today; The Evolution of Animal Laws; The First Veterinarians; The Modem Veterinarian; The Future for Animal Care Professionals; Employment Opportunities in Animal Care; Animal Care - An Exciting Career Field; Types of Employers; Employment in the Veterinary Clinic; Working for Yourself; More Careers; Volunteer Work; The Right Field for You? 

ANIMAL RESTRAINT AND FIRST AID Handling and Restraint Techniques; Handling a Dog; Equipment Needed to Handle and Restrain Dogs; Dog Restraint Techniques; Handling a Cat; Cat Collars and Leashes; Cat Restraint Techniques; Bird Handling and Restraint; Horse Handling and Restraint, Cattle Handling and Restraint; Sheep Restraint; Pig Restraint; Restraint of Miscellaneous Species; Animal First Aid; First Aid Can Save Lives; Control of Bleeding; Shock; Wounds; Burns; Fractures; Exposure to Extreme Heat or Cold; Foreign Bodies in the Throat; Convulsions. 

ANIMALS IN OUR CULTURE Animal lore and Mythology; The Origins of Animal Lore; Legendary Animals; Myths; Recognizing Myths; Animal Behavior and Intelligence; Teaching Animal Behavior; Interpreting Animal Behavior; Animal Socialization; Training Animals; Behavior Problems. 

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY PART ONE The Study of the Body; Body Organization; The Cell; Body Cavities; The Skeletal System; Parts of the Skeletal System; Bones of the Skull; The Vertebral Column; The Ribs; The Limbs; The Foreleg; The Rear Leg; Joints; The Muscular System; The Important Muscles; The Circulatory System; Blood; The Lymphatic System; The Heart and Its Vessels; The Arterial and Venous Systems; The Respiratory System. 

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY PART TWO The Digestive System; The Urinary System; The Reproductive System; The Nervous System; The Endocrine System; The Integumentary System; The Systems of a Bird. 

PATHOLOGY IMMUNIZATION AND VACCINATION What is Pathology?; The History of Understanding Disease; Disease; Prevention; Immunity; Zoonoses. 

ANIMAL HEALTH: SANITATION, PARASITE CONTROL AND NUTRITION The Importance of Sanitation; Well-Animal Settings; Sick-Animal Settings; Parasitology; Parasites of Dogs and Cats; Parasites of Horses; Parasites of Cattle, Sheep. and Goats; Parasites of Swine; Nutrition; The Importance of Nutrition; Nutrients; Meeting Dietary Requirements. 

VETERINARY CARE: ROUTINE AND EMERGENCY The Examination Process; Examination Restraint ''Techniques; Routine Procedures; Emergency\Jare; Determining an Emergency; Common Emergencies; Advanced Wound Care and Bandaging Techniques; Caring for Wounds; Bandaging; Administering Medication; Understanding Medication; Medication Administering Techniques. . 

ANIMAL DISEASES When an Animal Gets Sick; Signs of Disease; Common, Diseases of Dogs; Common Diseases of Cats; Common Diseases of Horses; Common Diseases of Cattle; Common Diseases of Sheep, Goats, and Swine; Common Diseases of Birds. 

ADVANCED ASSISTING PROCEDURES X Ray for Animals; The Importance of X Rays; How X Rays Are Made; Taking and Developing X Ray Pictures; Laboratory Testing Procedures; The In- Office Lab; Obtaining and Preparing Samples; Blood Testing Procedures; Test Procedures for Feces,Urine, and Scrapings; Anesthesiology for Animals; An Absence of Feeling; Anesthetizing Animals; Surgery for Animals; Success and the Assistant; Preparing for Surgery; After the Surgery. 

ANIMAL CARE: PRENATAL THROUGH OLD AGE The History and Development of Breeds; The Dog; The Cow; Sheep and Goats; Pigs; Horses; Cats; Genetics and Breeding; Some Basic Genetics; Modes of Inheritance; Types of Crossing; Inbreeding; Out-breeding; Maternal Care; Gestation; Exercise Required; Nutritional Requirements; Vaccination; Labor and Delivery; "Diseases and Problems; Newborn Care; Newborn Animals; the Horse; Farm Animals; Puppies and Kittens; Care of Orphaned Puppies and Kittens; Care of Older Animals; Life Span and Aging; Diet and Exercise; Effects of Aging on Body Systems; Euthanasia. 

EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENTS Going Into Business; Animal Hospital Office Part I and Part 2; Your Guide to Medical Terminology; Getting a Job That Suits You; All About Horses; Fleas and Their Control; Stable Management; You and Your Dog; Show Horses On Parade; Show Animals on Parade: You and Your Cat. 

LEARNING AIDS Slide Guides: Animal First Aid, Metric Convertor; Charts; Canine and Feline Anatomy; Bovine and Equine Anatomy; Dog Breeds, Cat Breeds, Horse Breeds; Audio Cassettes - Medical Term Pronunciations. 

LEARNING LAB includes: 35mm slides. internal/external parasites, animal diseases, 1 - 35mm slide viewer, 35mm slide case. 


Certified Small Animal Specialist (CSAS)
Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council

In person seminar on various small animals, their behavior, husbandry and veterinary care followed by a home study distance course. Both segments required passing an exam.

Overview of small animals; Intake exams for mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, chinchillas, ferrets; Housing and diet; Sanitation; Small animal disease; Consumer relations; Disease information by species.


Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council

Certified Avian Specialist (CAS)

In person seminar on various species of bird, their behavior, husbandry and veterinary care followed by a home study distance course. Both segments required passing an exam.

Captive bred versus wild caught birds; Intake examination; Caging; Environment; Perches; Diet (canary, doves and pigeons, finches, toucans and mynahs, small psittacines, large psittacines); Baby birds; Hand feeding; Disease prevention; sanitization; diseases; veterinary medical care; Resources; CITES.

Certified Reptile Specialist (CRS)
Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council

In person seminar on various small animals, their behavior, husbandry and veterinary care followed by a home study distance course. Both segments required passing an exam.

Introduction to reptiles; federal, provincial and municipal regulations; Intake examinations; Species identification; Sexing reptiles; Housing and husbandry, Feeding and diet; Diseases and disorders; CITES WFF; Resources.


Provided through "Nutrience"

Companion Animal Nutrition Certificates: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3

6 month companion animal nutrition program exploring basic nutrition science and manufactured pet food. Please note that although these certificate programs were run by a pet food manufacturer I was interested primarily in the basic nutrition science. I am not particularly favorable to either manufactured pet foods in general nor Nutrience in particular.

  • Food chemistry
  • Physiology of digestion and metabolism
  • Nutrition sciences
  • Diets
  • Biological value and digestibility
  • Carbohydrates
  • Lipids
  • Protein
  • Nucleic acids
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals (and chelation)
  • Water
  • Dog nutrient requirements
  • Cat nutrient requirements
  • Fiber
  • Nutrient sources (ingredients)
  • Fatty acid composition and contents
  • Amino acid composition and contents
  • Ash and the cat diet
  • Urinary calculi and feline lower urinary tract disease
  • Special issue in protein
  • Special issues in fiber
  • Health and disease issues in nutrition
  • Allergies and hypersensitivity
  • Protein and allergy
  • Soybean allergy
  • Wheat gluten allergy
  • Bladder stones and cat diets
  • Diabetes and diet
  • Renal failure and diet
  • Heart failure and diet
  • Liver disease and diet
  • Pancreatitis
  • Coprophagia
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Gastric dilation
  • Eclampsia and the breeding bitch
  • Hot spots and diet
  • Breed specific dietary concerns
  • Bladder stones and Dalmatians
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Osteochondrosis
  • Obesity and weight loss
  • Ferret diets
  • Herbs
  • Pro biotics and prebiotics
  • Mannanoligosaccaride (M.O.S.)
  • Defining ingredients and reading food labels
  • Fixed versus variable formulation
  • Ingredient splitting
  • Large breed dog diets
  • Puppy/kitten and neonatal nutrition
  • Athlete dog nutrition
  • Senior dog/cat nutrition
  • Clinical nutrition and disease responsive diets
  • Supplements



Provided by Hills

Clinical Nutrition

3 month course in clinical nutrition and basic nutritional sciences. This course was provided by Hills through the veterinary hospital that I worked for. I carried out this course informally through the hospital and not through Hills. Please note that although these certificate programs were run by a pet food manufacturer, I was interested primarily in the basic nutrition science. I am not particularly favorable to either manufactured pet foods in general nor Hills in particular. In fact although the nutritional sciences program was very well developed I find Hills pet foods to be of low quality, in my evaluation.

  • Unit 1. Nutrition and veterinary professionals
  • Unit 2. Nutrients vs. Ingredients, Palatability, Wellness nutrition, Therapeutic nutrition
  • Unit 3. Change insights, Teamwork, Interpersonal communication, Delegation
  • Unit 4. Nutritional Assessment, Prescription diets, Science diet products
  • Unit 5. Understanding pet food labels, Client-pet-veterinary bond, Hospital revenue sources


Vegetarian and Vegan Nutrition

Provided by Association of Vegetarian Dietitians and Nutrition Educators

Certificate in Vegetarian Nutrition

Unit 1. Protein Quality
Unit 2. Protein Quantity
Unit 3. Carbohydrates
Unit 4. Fiber
Unit 5. Lipids
Unit 6. Digestion and Absorption
Unit 7. Weight Control
Unit 8. Fat-Soluable Vitamins
Unit 9. Water-Soluable Vitamins
Unit10. Major Minerals I
Unit 11. Major Minerals II
Unit 12. Trace Minerals
Unit 13. Vegetarian Foods I
Unit 14. Vegetarian Foods II
Unit 15. Diet-Related Chronic Diseases I
Unit 16. Diet-Related Chronic Diseases II
Unit 17. Life Cycle and Vegetarianism
Unit 18. Overview of Vegetarian Diets

Grade A (97.2%) 


(C) 1999 - 2011 JAMES O'HEARE




(c) 1999 - 2011 James O'Heare