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WHO WE ARE

Katherine is a Colombian-American behavioral clinician who was born and raised in Manhattan, where she grew up surrounded by pets. She shared her childhood with 3 cats, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits and fish. She spent summers horseback riding in upstate NY. Katherine has dedicated her life to learning about animal (and human) behavior.  She has an Doctorate in Clinical Social Work, specializing in the Human-Animal Bond, teaches graduate classes on HAB at New York University, and is a published author who often lectures internationally on the Human-Animal Bond.  She also holds an MSEd in Education from Hunter College, and an MSW from NYU.  She is a licensed clinical psychotherapist specializing in grief counseling for pet loss and animal assisted therapy.  Katherine is interested in both sides of the Human-Animal Bond, so she also holds an MA in Animal Behavior and Conservation (Biopsychology) from Hunter College (her specialty is canine cognition, perception and learning). She is a certified trainer (CPDT, APDT), has extensive experience training animals of all ages, sizes and species, including the dogs of several celebrities. (She even trained her potbellied pig, George, to be an animal actor and he is now featured in the Cash Cash “Surrender” video.) Katherine’s extensive knowledge of biopsychology, animal and human behavior, has lead her to develop her own humane and holistic method of training that pays specific attention to the animal’s health and nutrition as integral factors in determining their behavior. Her training philosophy is unique, but it is scientifically based and primarily utilizes positive reinforcement techniques. Katherine is, therefore, one of the very few people who are trained and licensed as both a human and non-human animal behaviorist. Before opening Wiggly Pups, Katherine worked at some of the best dog daycare/boarding facilities in New York City.  She also worked for the NYC Mayor’s Alliance for Animals, was a grief counselor at the Animal Medical Center and was a New York State Wildlife Rehabilitator. She currently lives with her husband, 4 rescue dogs (Skye (aka Bug), a deaf Boxer/Staff mix; Zadie Bird, a Black Lab/Amstaff mix, Professor Chompy Chops, a English Bulldog/English Staffordshire Terrier mix, and Boston, a German Shepherd AmStaff mix), their 14 cats, pet pigeons, salamander, potbellied pigs George and Blue, and steer (bull cows) Magnus and Callum. The family Dogo Argentino, Jack, was rescued in 2009 as a senior and passed away in 2010 from old age.  He is featured in the Wiggly Pups crest.  Their Black Labrador, Morgan, was Kathy’s inspiration and motivation to become involved in Animal Behavior. Morgan passed away in 2015 and Angie (Akita mix) passed in 2016, both from cancer.  Jack, Angie, Morgan and the other fur babies that have passed are all greatly