ASSOCIATION NEWS
Mark Forrest Patrick
Mark Forrest Patrick , CDT , CVA , CCMT , who has been on the board since 2017 , says farewell as his position as immediate past president ends Dec . 31 , 2022 . Mark is the owner of Tuxedo ’ s K9 Training Camp in Rochester , New York . Mark left a corporate customer service management role in the fall of 2008 to bring about his dream of working with animals . He found he had a gift of working with animals as a child living on a farm in Upstate New York where his family raised beef cattle and horses . Mark graduated from the Animal Behavior College ( ABC ) with a certificate in dog training , pet massage and veterinary assistant . In 2009 , Mark ’ s dream became reality when he opened Tuxedo ’ s K9 Training Camp . In 2013 Mark expanded his business and opened a brick-and-mortar dog training , day care and boarding facility in Rochester . He conducts several levels of training classes in a group class setting and private in-home sessions , with the idea of not only teaching the dog , but also the family members how to interact with their pet . Today , the facility continues to grow with a focus on a 24- hour a day staffed operation . Mark has recently taken on the role as a Behavior Counselor for the local humane society assisting high risk dogs and the staff caring for the dogs with behavior and enrichment plans .
Continuing education has always been important for Mark to keep up to date on training , behavior , and clinical studies . He has attended seminars at Service Dogs , Inc ., Alfred University and Cornell University . As part of Mark ’ s training toolbox , he uses massage , essential oils and TAGteach . He also has served his community as a volunteer to assist local rescues and shelters with behavioral and training classes .
Mark has recently implemented a Train the Trainer program at his business to create a more diverse and community friendly business . Through his local inner-city community centers , Mark has conducted education seminars on owning and caring for the family pets . Through this program he hopes to see an increase in the number of families reaching out for group classes and private in-home sessions reducing the number of dogs surrendered to the local shelters .
And speaking of dogs , there is usually no shortage of them at Mark ’ s house ! He has owned five Tibetan Spaniels , an English Labrador Retriever , Pomeranian mix , Bichon , and a Rat Terrier . He is an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator , published author in two local pet publications and sponsors a pet corner for an online publication . His motto : “ Always keep your eyes open to new opportunities because they may be right before you .”
Erica Marshall
Ines McNeil
Two New Members Elected to APDT Board of Directors
The 2023 APDT Board will welcome two new members – Erica Marshall and Ines McNeill -- who were selected during its annual election in September . Besides newcomers Erica and Ines , the 2023 APDT board will consist of officers Benjamin Bennink , chair ; Heidi Meinzer , vice-chair , and Curtis Kelley , appointed to the board in 2022 , will be secretary / treasurer and directors Sandy Modell , serving her second 3-year term that ends Dec . 31 , 2024 ; Heather Mishefske , elected in 2021 to a 3-year term ; and Immediate Past President Fanna Easter . Leaving the board will be Mark Forrest Patrick , the previous immediate past chair , and Inga From , whose 3-year term ends Dec . 31 , 2022 .
Erica Marshall , CPDT-KA , CDBC While new to the board , Erica is no novice when it comes to APDT and its inner workings . She was the co-chair of the APDT Membership Task Force for four years and was named the APDT Member of the Year in 2021 . ( To read more about Erica , check out the FALL 2021 issue of Chronicle of the Dog ). Erica is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers and a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants . She trains her own dogs in Rally Obedience , Musical Freestyle , tricks , Parkour , Agility and good public manners .
“ I am interested in being on the APDT Board of Directors to expand my contribution to the dog training industry , learn about working on a board and all it entails , meet new people and have new experiences , Erica wrote in her candidate nomination form . “ The strengths I would bring to the board is a great , big imagination and love of ideas , both big and small . I try to make sure everyone is heard , and their ideas are listened to and taken seriously .” The role of the board , she wrote , is to provide the “ opportunity for learning , networking financial incentives , and on a broader scale , work to help the industry become more cohesive and trusted .”
14 Building Better Trainers Through Education