MEET THE TRAINER: Ali Weihl CARAT
I have always had a passion for animals. Starting in high school, I was intent on training marine mammals, so I spent one summer volunteering at the Georgia Aquarium, got my scuba certification, and spent another summer as an intern at the Pittsburgh Aquarium. While at the Pittsburgh Aquarium, I assisted the head penguin-keeper. Then, that same summer, as I worked with a dog and horse trainer in Western Pennsylvania, my passion turned from marine mammals to dogs because of my ability to be more hands-on and utilize more positive reinforcement techniques.
After graduating from Saint Vincent College (Latrobe, PA) with a degree in Biology, I moved to Georgia in June of 2013. I started auditing classes such as Puppy, Scent Work, Reactive, and Rally. Since then, I have advanced to teaching Puppy, Adolescent Pup, Scent Work, Rally Obedience, Reactive Modules, and many other classes. I also offer private consults to work in-home to help client's work through customized training plans.
I also worked at North Georgia Veterinary Specialists in Buford, GA from 2018-2020 gaining hands on experience in the rehab department. Modalities included personal fitness exercises, underwater therapy, laser treatments, acupuncture and massage.
I have two Whippets, Aspen and Sherman, who keep me active and exploring new hiking trails. I have earned an AKC Rally Novice title, Intermediate trick title, and Canine Good Citizen with Sherman. Aspen has competed in conformation, lure coursing, dock diving, nosework and rally while earning the Intermediate trick title and Canine Good Citizen.
I am an AKC Star Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, and Trick Title Evaluator. I became certified in Suzanne Clothier’s Animal Response Assessment Tool (CARAT) in August 2020. This required several years of honing observation skills and demonstrating the theoretical and practical applications. This tool categorizes behavior traits in multiple, practical components. I am working towards becoming a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) through the NACSW.
​
FORMAL EDUCATION
-
Bachelors in Biology from Saint Vincent College (2013)
TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS
-
CARAT Certified- Clothiers' Animal Response Assessment Tool (2020)
-
American Kennel Club S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, and Trick Dog Evaluator
​
CONTINUING EDUCATION
-
What’s the Problem? With Suzanne Clothier (2016)
-
Enriched Puppy Protocol with Suzanne Clothier (2017)
-
Thresholds, Transitions and Triggers with Suzanne Clothier (2019)
-
See the Dog: Improving Observation Skills with Suzanne Clothier (2019)
-
Aggression Workshop and Seminars with Michael Shikashio (March 2022)
-
Positive Training for Show Dogs Seminar with Vicki Ronchette (2022)
-
Virtual Webinars with Malena DeMartini, Suzanne Clothier, Sue Sternberg and Dana Zinn
-
Nosework with Amy Herot (2023)
-
Containers and Handling for Nosework with Dana Zinn (2023)
​
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
-
Volunteer at Forsyth County Animal Shelter (2015)
-
Event Volunteer- Hunt Master at Lure Coursing Trials; Scent Work Events
SERVICE AREAS
-
Alpharetta, Canton, Cumming, Flowery Branch, Sugar Hill
​
​​
.jpg)
