IAABC Certified logo Fear Free Certified Professional logo The Pet Professional Guild Feline Logo UVM Companion Animal End of Life Doula Certificate logo

About T:

Selfie of me snuggling with a cat at QACAS My name is T. I've lived on Maryland's Eastern Shore since 2004 and have been involved with the local rescue/shelter network since 2009. I have spent years interacting with hundreds of cats, learning something new from each and every one! When you reach out to me for help, I approach your cat and your case as unique and create a custom behavior plan, based upon past experiences and education. The behavior modification plans I design are rooted in science-based techniques with the goal of increasing connection between you and your cat(s).

I began "A Cat's Purrspective" in 2022 with the goal of helping more cats be able to live happy, full lives in their homes. My husband and I share our home with our 4 cats (Cinnamon—the orange kitty in the logo—passed on 1/23/23; Emily—the grey kitty in the logo—passed on 6/15/23; Ethel, Inigo, Julian, and Yato); 3 of whom have medical and/or behavior issues.

In February of 2023, I completed UVM's Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate program and am now offering Cat End-of-Life Doula services.

How Being Disabled Affects My Cat Behavior Consulting:

A picture taken outside of me--a person with light olive skin, geometric silver glasses, very short mostly dark brown with some gray hair--wearing a grey shirt and a large brown and white tabby cat is on my lap. IAABC logo and disability pride flag stripe at the bottom

Being disabled has given me a unique way of interacting with cats that is instinctively "fear free". With a keen eye for subtle behavior cues, I encourage cats to cooperate with me. My way of interacting with cats lets them feel in control and relaxed around me. I would like to share what I've learned with you!

One example of how my disability affects my cat behavior work is described in the image on the left: I have a specific technique that was developed accidentally because of my disability. I do a "Two-Finger Sniff" instead of 1 finger because I can't easily bend my middle finger if my right finger is straight. I realized most cats seemed to respond better to two fingers being offered instead of one, so that's my normal method now.


CREDENTIALS:

IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants):

Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity [CARE]: Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI), bronze certification, 6/28/23




UVM: Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate, 2/28/23

Fear Free Pets: Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP), Animal Trainer Certification Program, 7/14/22

Fear Free Shelters Graduate, 7/10/21

MEDIA/PUBLICATIONS:


CONTINUING EDUCATION:


    IAABC Recorded Webinars/Lectures:
  • Compulsive Grooming in Cats, 10/04/22
  • The Effects of Fear, Anxiety and Arousal on Learning, 9/27/22
  • Living With and Loving a Pet With Behavior Problems, 9/22/22
  • Feline Social Behavior and Development, 8/28/22
  • Introduction to Compassion Fatigue, 8/17/22
  • Companion Animal Welfare: From Now to Next, 8/14/22
  • The Cat Consultant's Toolbox: Litterbox Problems, 8/08/22
  • Multi-Cat Households, 8/02/22
  • Improving Client Compliance, 7/30/22
  • Handling Aggressive Cats: Simply a Nightmare, or Just a Matter of Technique?, 7/30/22
  • Being Real About the Human-Animal Bond: It's Not All Wet Dog Kisses or Purring Kitties, 7/28/22
  • More than Good Recommendations: Client Compliance and Implementation Strategies, 7/26/22
  • Cat Nutrition and the Relationship Between Food and Behavior, 7/23/22
  • The Cat Consultant's Toolbox: Tools and Techniques, 7/23/22
  • Case Studies in Feline Aggression, 7/23/22
  • The Details Make the Difference: Desensitization and Counterconditioning, 7/22/22
  • Human-Directed Feline Aggression, 6/20/22
  • Human-Directed Aggression in the Cat, 6/19/22
  • Behavior Modification for Cats, 6/18/22
  • An Assessment of Clicker Training in Shelter Cats, 6/02/22
  • Using Behavior Therapy and Humane Handling to Reduce Stress in Shelters, 5/30/22
  • Litterbox Problems with Shelter Cats, 5/28/22
  • Cat Behavior Consulting: from Intake to Resolution (Case Studies), 5/27/22
  • Animal Welfare Science: What's the Measure of "Good for the Animal"?, 5/27/22
  • ABA in Practice, 5/26/22
  • Training Your House Tiger, 5/01/22

    • Fear Free Additional Modules Completed:
  • Fear Free Shelter Intake and Admission Module, 7/26/22
  • Fear Free Housing and Environment, 1/30/22
  • Fear Free Shelter Cat Enrichment Modules, 1/30/22

EDUCATION:

St. John's College: "At the heart of St. John's College undergraduate program is a liberal arts curriculum focused on the most important books and ideas of Western civilization. Following a reading list that includes many Great Books, all classes are conducted seminar-style, with faculty facilitating the discussion."

  • Bachelor of Arts, 2004 (Annapolis campus)

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:

  • 6/2021 - current: Volunteer at Queen Anne's County Animal Services (QACAS)

    Click here for my facebook album documenting my work with the barn cats at QACAS from November, 2021 through April, 2022. My goal when working with the barn cats was primarily to find ways to decrease their stress levels while at the shelter.

  • Diabetic Cats in Need (DCIN)

    Our mission: "The heart of our mission is to keep diabetic cats in their original, loving homes, regardless of the income level of their caregivers. We support diabetic cats in their original, adoptive, shelter, and rescue homes; help to rehome unwanted diabetic cats; and help to educate caregivers on the appropriate treatment of diabetic cats."

    • 7/2022 - current: Director of Case Management
    • 7/2021 - current: Member of the Board of Directors
    • 8/2020 - current: Case Manager


  • 1/2016 - 1/2020: Feline Medical Director (volunteer) at Chesapeake Cats and Dogs

    I oversaw all feline medical for CCAD. This role included many medical and behavioral aspects. Tasks included: developing medical protocols with partner veterinarians, tracking medical supplies, medication shifts (oral and insulin), medications shifts scheduling & training, intake exams, medical treatments as needed (fluid therapy, lime dips, b12 injections, etc.), infection monitoring and prevention, behavior assessment, group room assignments, microchipping & registration, vaccine scheduling, etc.

  • 8/2009 - 1/2020: Volunteer Cat Socializer at Chesapeake Cats and Dogs



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Contact:  Facebook/ACatsPurrspective  |  Email: CatPurrspective@gmail.com

Payment preferred through Paypal  |  Forms: New Behavior Client form, New Doula Client form

Non-discrimination policy: I do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, neurodiversity, gender, gender identity, health status, religion, political beliefs, national origin, sexual orientation, or relationship/family structure.

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Non-discrimination policy: I do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, neurodiversity, gender, gender identity, health status, religion, political beliefs, national origin, sexual orientation, or relationship/family structure.