The APDT Chronicle of the Dog Summer 2020 | Page 8
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
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COVID-19 CRISIS
Those who adapt have a better chance of surviving challenging times
Flexibility in our changing world is the key to keep us
relevant. As we go forward in 2020, think about how you can
continue learning.
Knowing what you have learned in the last couple of months,
are there things you would add or delete from your current
teachings? Are there ideas you would tell your clients that you
never brought up to them before? One of these for me is what
if something happens to your family, who will get the dog? We
are not just dog trainers, but we are family counselors, friends,
and a community for someone. We are essential.
Planning for the future might look different now. I want to
challenge you to add something new and different in your scope.
How much can change in just a short time. Not long
ago, we were all concerned with dog licensing and
legalization. Now we are concerned if we will still
have a career. As the months go by, we have been keeping
a keen eye on what is essential and non-essential for each
state and county. Everyone is affected by COVID-19, we just
have to continue to move forward as a team. A good friend
of mine, Sue Sternberg, once told me, “you may not want
what is happening, but the only thing you can control is your
attitude and what you wear.” This piece of advice has helped
me battle cancer and the uncertainty of my business during
COVID-19, to be strong for my employees and clients. What
is your catchphrase to get you through tough times?
You know as dog enthusiasts, owners, and trainers we try to
solve problem behaviors. Each client is a new challenge, each
dog is a new individual, each problem has a different solution.
During the past months, we have seen dog trainers coming
together to help each other solve the problem of teaching with
social distancing. We came together to learn how to take our
business online. We have created new ideas for revenue and
found original ways to support the industry. We have kept
the hope and passion of our industry alive. We, as a whole,
are adapting to the solutions to the ever-fluid problems.
We didn’t argue or fight about the issue but have gathered
to support each other. This is what being a member of an
organization is about, supporting each other and working
toward a common goal.
If you haven’t tried a webinar do one. Check out the ones we
offer https://www.pathlms.com/apdt.
If you ever wanted to take a class and couldn’t find the time, find
the time. Explore topics in different areas of your business.
Network with others and be kind to those whose values are
different than your own. We must help each other improve
because there is hope in numbers.
During the last couple of months, the board has been busy
with continuing our strategic partnerships with others,
running surveys, providing resources for COVID-19, and
working on the 2020 Virtual Conference. We appreciate the
feedback you send to us.
Without you our members, we would not be able to push
forth policies and work with others to improve our industry.
Thank you for supporting each other.
Khara Schuetzner
6 Building Better Trainers Through Education