ASSOCIATION NEWS
Richmond conference will feature VIP evening event
For the first time in many years, there will be an evening social event at the 2025 APDT International Education Conference and Trade Show Nov. 5-7 in Richmond, Virginia. Networking at a dog training conference is more than just swapping business cards; it is a vital opportunity to build meaningful connections that can enhance your skills, expand your knowledge, and improve the quality of care you provide to your canine clients. Whether you are a seasoned trainer or just starting out, the relationships formed while networking at conferences can provide lasting value, helping you stay current with industry trends and refine your training techniques through shared knowledge and experience.
“ Many have heard the great stories about social events connected to the APDT conferences of yesteryear. Of course, many things have evolved in conferences take place, but one thing remains true is, why attendees make the trip to APDT International conferences. That is connection with their peers and an opportunity to expand their network of trusted professionals,” APDT International Executive Director Matt Varney said.“ We are so excited to keep expanding the opportunities at conference to connect and learn more about those you’ re sitting next to in sessions including this year’ s Thursday Night VIP event. Join us as we take over a local brewery in Richmond for a night of connection, learning, and fun!”
" We are so excited to keep expanding the opportunities at conference to connect and learn more about those you’ re sitting next to in sessions including this year’ s Thursday Night VIP event. Join us as we take over a local brewery in Richmond for a night of connection, learning, and fun!”
This special VIP event, called the Night on the Town, will be held from 6 to 10 p. m. Thursday, Nov. 6 at Strangeways Brewing, 22077A Dabney Road in Richmond. Pre-registration is required. The additional $ 100 cost will include transportation from the hotel to Strangeways Brewing, a tap room and brewery open only to APDT International conference attendees. Once there, you will have a chance to sample branded brews and a variety of food options while connecting with those you have met – or want to meet – from the conference.
The second half of the evening will be an intimate session by special guest speaker, Jess Adam, a licensed psychotherapist who has used
Special guest speaker, Jess Adam.
animal-assisted therapy and equine therapy in her practice. It was her desire to have a therapy dog that led her to adopt a 6-monthold Labrador-Pitbull puppy named Dio. It was during his training for Canine Good Citizen and therapy dog evaluations that Dio’ s anxiety and reactive behavior began to overwhelm Jess. Four years later, he did achieve those goals, only for Jess to determine being a therapy dog was too stressful for Dio.
“ But what was interesting about this experience was just how immersed in dog training I became, and how much more I learned about dogs than I ever expected,” Jess explained in an interview with Authority Magazine.“ It made me recognize how deeply my own emotions and mental health were impacted by my dog and his needs, and how I needed to care for myself in order to care for him in the ways he deserved. It led me to create Handlers and Humans, my little passion project that has grown to support the mental health of hundreds of dog owners and trainers who live with, work with, and love difficult dogs. This experience taught me that even when you don’ t end up where you expected, you often end up exactly where you’ re meant to be.”
Jess’ presentation will define what it means to be a“ person-centered” dog trainer and why focusing on the human side of the leash is important. She will discuss the emotional and mental health impacts on clients living with and training a challenging dog. Attendees will also learn how to empower dog guardians to use their inherent and environmental strengths to create more success in training. The presentation will identify and address barriers in the training progress, look at strategies for recognizing strengths, and infuse them into the training process. This unique session will offer another CEU to your conference collection.
After food, brews and schooling, the event will close out with music and the opportunity to dance and mingle.
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