Devon Gaston

Deven Gaston Has worked as a professional trainer and instructor in corporate and university environments for over ten years. Her love of teaching people combined with her love of working with her own dogs led her to co-found Canine Campus in 2002. In February of 2003 Deven completed an internship with renowned trainer Pat Miller. In June of 2003, Deven completed the Principles & Techniques of Behavior Modification at Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine. These two programs were just the beginning of the educational adventures she would embark upon to stay current on scientific developments and our understanding of the domestic dog.Known for her lighthearted teaching style, she helps owners realize their goals of well-mannered family dogs in a relaxed and supportive environment, thus enhancing the human-dog bond. Deven's commitment to evangelizing positive reinforcement as a viable communication strategy sent her to prison in June 2003! For three years, as the lead trainer for the Pen Pals prison dog program at the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women and one year at Buckingham Correctional center, Deven screened shelter dogs and placed them with carefully selected inmates who worked with her to teach the dogs to be polite family members during an ten-week training period. In the Spring of 2006 Deven debuted the Canine Campus pod cast, available on Itunes, where she addressed common behavior challenges and listeners questions.Deven believes her love of problem solving (a carry-over from Logic 101, she fears) is the foundation for her interest in behavior modification. She works with local vets who have diagnosed behavior problems in dogs to design and implement behavior modification techniques to manage and improve the situation. Her Puppy Socialization class is designed specifically to prevent the need for behavior modification later in a dog's life. Deven is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), successfully completed the certification requirements of the Certified Pet Dog Trainer program (CPDT-KA) and Certified Behavior Consultant Canine program (CBCC-KA) " one of only 161 trainers to do so, and holds a Masters Degree in Philosophy.