Learn All About Doggone Connection

The "Doggone Connection" is the place where we realize that the dog is the teacher and we are the student. In that awareness is where learning occurs. It is a place where we humble our self to be still and listen with an open heart and mind to appreciate that much of the dog's behavior is a reflection of our own behavior. The purpose of our program is to help people understand normal dog behavior and modify annoying behavior to enjoy a relationship of mutual trust, respect and affection with their dog (and all animals). The Doggone Connection eliminates the consideration of abandonment or relinquishment.

We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals. Remote from universal nature and living by complicated artifice, man in civilization surveys the creature through the glass of his knowledge and sees thereby a feather magnified and the whole image in distortion. We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth.
~ Henry Beston

"The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or touched -
they must be felt with the heart ."
~ Helen Keller

Facilitators with more than 40 years of combined experience offer understanding, flexibility, and individual attention to provide a wide range of services to help others reach this "Doggone Connection" including:

Warren G. Patitz, BA.RN. has a degree in religious studies from Ohio Wesleyan University, a nursing degree from I.U.P.U.I. in Indianapolis and is a professional member of the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) . He was introduced to "dog training" as a competitive sport in 1980, and later realized that the real exercise was not winning competitions but rather understanding the human relationship with dogs and the opportunity of stewardship toward all animals. Warren has been facilitating training instruction in the Indianapolis area for more than 25 years.

Warren has great respect and admiration for his friends and co-trainers, Eileen, Tom, Christine, Becky, Wes, and Meg who add an exciting and knowledgeable dimension to the program.

Eileen Udry, PhD, has a doctoral degree in human performance and learning. She completed the "DOGS" course at the nationally recognized Purdue Animal Behavior Clinic and is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). Eileen was instrumental in advancing the development of the training program for the local service dog organization, Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN), that trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities. Since moving to Ohio, Eileen has founded "Working Like Dogs"(WLD), a service and education non-profit that exists to enhance local shelter dogs' adoptability, maximize shelter dogs’ quality of life and help shelter dogs reach their potential. Doggone Connection has the honor and privilege of occasional revisits from Eileen and Tom Fitton for special occasions.

Tom Fitton, MS. is an interested student of furniture construction and design. Tom completed the "DOGS" course at the nationally recognized Purdue Animal Behavior Clinic and has assisted with dog training classes through several local shelters and training facilities.

Christina Curtis is a long-time volunteer at Indianapolis Animal Control and a committed rescuer of mainly herding and "high-energy" dogs. She and her son, Chandler, enjoy disc dog competition and have been on the national radar for a number of years. A recent article profiles the success of this mother-son team and the gift they bring to the shelter dogs whose lives they touch. Here is a little more about Christina, who long ago had, "Gone to the dogs."

Becky Schneider, RD is the dietitian and cook at her daughter's preschool as well as a personal chef. Becky completed the "DOGS" course at the nationally recognized Purdue Animal Behavior Clinic in addition to attending the Animal Arts Academy for dog grooming. Becky is an instrumental volunteer/facilitator with the famous, "Walk A Hound, Lose a Pound" program.

Wes Anderson, BSEE, BS Math, MS Statistics. Wes is a statistician in clinical operations at Eli Lilly And Company and founder of the Lilly Pet Owners Club. He completed the course on dog cognition "The Cognitive Dog" from the psychology department extension of Harvard University. His studies include canine training and behavior modification through workshops, videos and books. He is a sponsor at the Wolf Park Research Center in Battleground, Indiana and Professional Member of the Association for Pet Dog Trainers APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) . Interests include: obedience competition, clicker training, working with assistance dogs for the disabled (ICAAN program), pet therapy, behavior rehabilitation of shelter and rescue dogs and scientific research on dog behavior and cognition. He is working toward his CPDT certification.

Meg M. Zachwieja, BS, PT is a physical therapist who has worked with family dogs since childhood when she participated in obedience training. Her own special dogs have been her teachers and because of this experience she maintains a special affection for the difficult dogs and a respect for the humans living with them. Meg is active in the rescue community, as well. Working with the Doggone Connection team is expanding Meg's knowledge of dog training. Meg particularly enjoys making dog training and human-canine interaction fun. The more fun the better!