ABOUT PHD
INSTRUCTIONAL STYLE
PHD offers guided training, which is training for dogs and humans together in relationship. Our clients learn practical skills during session that they practice with their dogs between sessions. Homework is completed using resources in the Learning Portal . Sessions may be held in individual or small group format, in person or by video call, and may include work with specially-trained instructor dogs.
PHD instruction conforms to LIMA, the ethical standard endorsed by the Association of Professional Dog Trainer (APDT), the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Click to read PHD's Ethics Statement.
INSTRUCTOR
NATHANIEL LUKAS REDEKOPP, PhD, LPCC, CPDT-KA,
AKC Approved CGC Evaluator
President, Pets and Helping Dogs, LLC
Nathaniel (bilingual English/Spanish) has owned a professional dog training business since 2015 and apprenticed for two years prior. He is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and is credentialed by the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Click here to view his current certification listing, searchable by zip code in the CCPDT database. As of March 2023, Nathaniel is the only CCPDT-certified professional operating in the New Mexico 88310 area.
Nathaniel has a B.A. in Psychology, a M.A. in Clinical Counseling and is a LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor) specializing in Animal-Assisted Therapy with canines for the treatment of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other mental health conditions. Nathaniel is a PhD graduate of the University of New Mexico in Spanish and has a professional background in curriculum design/instruction, civil rights investigation, disability services, and human rights education and advocacy.
INSTRUCTOR DOGS
LINUS
KHORII (working name Katie)
Service Dog, Therapy Dog, and PHD founding pack member, she passed away January 2022. Khorii's superpower was sharing so much love and healing wherever she went!
SANDY
HERCULES
Therapy Dog Hercules passed away in July 2022. He loved making friends and could get anyone to smile and fall in love with him.
BAILEY
MISSY (Misdemeanor Elliot)
Is greatly missed since her passing in early 2022. She was always eager to participate in socialization exercises and enjoyed longboarding.
MISSION STATEMENT
1. Prevent and treat problematic behaviors in dogs through socialization, training, and a focus on human education.
2. Provide effective and ethical instruction that is individualized to the needs of the human and canine learners.
3. Help keep dogs in loving homes by teaching healthy in-home structure that replaces undesirable behaviors with alternatives that facilitate a mutually respectful and fulfilling relationship between dogs and their humans.
4. Provide high-quality, ethical instruction to people wishing to responsibly train a Service Dog, Emotional Support Dog or Therapy Dog for their own use.
5. Advocate for the responsible and humane care and training of dogs.
6. Advocate for appropriate laws, policies and regulations affecting helping dogs, including Service Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs, and Therapy Dogs.