The APDT Chronicle of the Dog Summer 2018 | Page 37

OPINION | RACHEL BRIX
While animal-related mainstream feel-good films continue to churn
out of Hollywood, we’ve also seen a multitude of well-researched
documentaries released to wide audience acclaim that explore our
relationship with animals and animal products. Movies such as
“Cowspiracy,” “What the Health?,” “Vegucated” and “Forks Over
Knives” are increasing in popularity as people see the correlation
between animal welfare, personal health and the environment.
Consequently, many of these exposés have led to serious problems
for those who exploit animals, such as the 2013 film “Blackfish.”
Its eye-opening reveal of the life of Tilikum, the killer whale,
and her deplorable existence at SeaWorld has been subsequently,
unmistakably and still largely responsible for the
aquarium giant’s sharp decline in ticket sales.
According to Time.com, Seaworld Entertainment
“faced an 84 percent drop in income…in the wake of
the damning documentary ‘Blackfish.’” In addition
to informative films, the US—and the world—has
seen an increase in animal welfare-related legislation,
and the campaigns are similarly revealing. Many of
these bills advocate the same fundamental principles
as positive reinforcement traini ng.
Now we might not necessarily consider +R
“advocacy.” But every time we train using science-
based force-free training methods, we eliminate
fear, intimidation and even physical punishment and are thereby
advocating for improved dog welfare. So, it’s not much of a stretch
to say we would feel force-free methods advisable in training any
animal. Case in point, the power of animal welfare legislation
is evidenced in Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus
retiring all its performing elephants. This decision arose from
increased customer concern during the past several years about
abusive training methods that center around the use of the bull
hook and shackling elephants nearly 24 hours a day except when
forcing them to perform. As of 2018, 50 countries have full or
partial circus bans, including the US, where jurisdictions in 29
states have bans, directly reflecting public sentiment against the
training methods of circus elephants.
To sum up, people all over the world, including our clients and
colleagues, are embracing all-animal welfare. Already being a
part of the force-free movement, it’s only logical for us to consider
extending humane treatment to all animals. At the very least
we need to be aware, as we can expect our clients’ awareness to
continue to expand and grow. Positive reinforcement trainer Casey
McGee, CPDT-KA, acknowledges, “Many of my dog trainer
colleagues are vegan, vegetarian, or something in-between because
being inspired to lessen the suffering of dogs dovetails with being
inspired to lessen the suffering of all animals.”
This doesn’t mean we enter our classrooms waving an animal rights
banner over our heads. Being a vegan dog trainer doesn’t mean
you make your beliefs center stage in your classes and push your
views on your clients. It may mean you advocate for all animals in
a way that makes sense for you; and those ethics and choices will
translate into your career and positively impact your compassion
in dog training, your compassion with other animals and your
compassion and empathy with people—and your outlook on the
how we all relate to one another. Even Forbes.com contributor
Katrina Fox recommends, “If you’re about to start a business, it’s
worth making your products vegan-friendly from the start. If you
already have a business, consider veganizing it by removing any
animal-based ingredients or components.” Who better to veganize
their approach to their work and life than those whose work and
life already involves treating animals with the utmost compassion?
Rachel Brix, CPDT-KA, is a veteran
high school teacher who, inspired by her
dog Percy, resigned to pursue a full-time
career with dogs. Along with being a
positive reinforcement trainer, Rachel is
a long-time vegetarian who went vegan
for Veganuary in 2015 and hasn’t looked
back. She is very involved in diverse
animal advocacy efforts. In addition
to working on the campaign for what
eventually became Missouri’s Canine
Cruelty Prevention Act and various other dog-related initiatives in the
region, she pioneered the first and only city-wide wild animal circus ban
in Arkansas that passed in 2015. Rachel also spearheaded the committee
that built Carroll County, Arkansas’ first and only dog park in 2014.
Rachel is also a writer and a speaker, having been published in several
issues of the APDT’s Chronicle of the Dog, one of her articles being
nominated for a 2017 Dog Writers Association of America Maximillian
medal. Rachel has given numerous speeches to communities, committees
and local governments advocating for improved animal welfare. She
also presented a Short at the Annual APDT Conference in 2017 and a
seminar at TriDEx this spring. Along with her membership in APDT,
Rachel is also a PPG member and Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and
provides consulting, private lessons and group training classes. She and
her husband live in northwest Arkansas with their five rescue animals.
The APDT Chronicle of the Dog | Summer 2018
35