To say I am obsessed with cats is an understatement. My happiest moments are those spent quietly working with cats. I have also always been fascinated with behavior; what shapes it, prompts it and how do we modify it. My career in behavior analysis started in 2005 when I met an amazing 6 year old girl with Autism named Jac. Through her I was able to learn and perfect my natural abilities in behavior modification for over 15 years.
You may ask- what do kids with Autism have anything to do with cats? Most of the kids I worked with were non-speaking which forced me to be incredibly intuitive in non-verbal communication and cues. Through my work in the Autism realm, I was able to fully grasp the ideas around behavior analysis & using only positive reinforcement. I took a position at the Humane Society of Sedona many years ago, working with cats & then continued on to High County Humane in Flagstaff as their Community Cat Program Manager & Cat Behaviorist. Working to help save & care for Community Cats while also continuing my shelter behavior work as been a dream.
I have been able to create a specialized behavior program within the Humane Society of Sedona where we took on very special cases. All cats experience stress & trauma differently & unfortunately, millions of cats are at risk of being killed in shelters because of their fear responses. Through my behavior protocols I have been able to save the lives of countless cats who end up living the shelter life as well as prevent them from ever entering a shelter. My knowledge, education and experience has greatly reduced the fear, anxiety & stress of cats living inside shelters & inside homes.
I received my CFTBS (Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist) Certification from the Animal Behavior Institute and am excited to work with you and your feline family. I am very passionate about the complex, fascinatingly wild yet beautiful lives of cats and helping humans understand them better. Almost half of all cats that enter shelters do so because of behavior issues. My goal is to not only enable cats to live their best lives, but also, to save their lives.
-Shani
