We had the good fortune of connecting with Sandy McPadden MSC. CDBC CHBC and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sandy, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
My goal is to find middle ground between humans and the animals in our lives. I find fulfillment working with families and their pets to create cohesive homes and happy families. Being able to help humans communicate better with their pets leads to less frustration in the home and better relationships. I am also the Director of Behavior for a local non profit organization, Little Lotus Rescue & Sanctuary. Often times sessions with my clients are in public places from 4th avenue to the Catalinas. No one wants to be around dogs who bark at restaurants or run up to you on a trail so helping dogs become well mannered citizens is a win-win for the family and the community as a whole.

What should our readers know about your business?
If it has something to do with animals, I’m in. I’ve worked as: a riding instructor at a summer camp in Maine, an animal trainer on 101 Dalmatians the Musical, an animal trainer on stage at the Columbus Zoo, a vet tech for both small animals and horses, an African Elephant trainer at Reid Park Zoo…No one is too large or too small, I am stoked to work with all animals. My masters degree is in Applied Behavior Analysis and that is the study of learning and behavior. One of my favorite things to do is speak at animal behavior conferences breaking down complex behavioral concepts so that all animal care-takers have access to the knowledge. I think something that sets me apart from other professionals in animal behavior is that my background is a mix of graduate level education and decades of experience helping me round out my knowledge of training and behavior modification.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Arizona is the best state to visit and no-one can convince me otherwise. Here in Tucson the best way to see the desert for someone not from around here is to swing by the desert museum. They have all of the cactus and animals everyone comes to see in the desert in one beautiful walkable location. Bonus if raptor free-flight is happening. A visit to Reid Park zoo is a must for me because I need anyone I love to see the prettiest girl in the whole world, Lungile, at the elephant habitat. Feeding friends in Tucson is cake because we have EVERYTHING here. Boca Taco, Brooklyn Pizza, LOCALE, Prep & Pastry, and BoBos are my faves though. Outside of Tucson, Sedona is incredible and only a 3 1/2 hour drive. Sedona beats the Grand Canyon for me every time. It’s magical.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom, of course. My mom is a Vet Tech so growing up that meant that my sick days were spent snuggling dogs recovering from surgery and abandoned animals always finding their way into our home. She taught me that often the “somebody else” who could help an animal, would be her and I. As an adult together we founded a charity together to help with the homeless pet population here in Southern Arizona. There is no way I would be the human I am today without her always being in my corner.

Website: www.sandymcpadden.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandymcpadden/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandymcpaddenbehaviorconsulting/

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/buzzonenrich/

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