Marika S. Bell BSc zool, ABCDT, CPDT-KA
Qualifications: Marika has a BS in Zoology from The University of Washington in the United States. While working on this degree she focused on animal behaviour and psychology.
She graduated with honours from Cat Tales Zoological Training Centre in Spokane Washington. Cat Tales is a private zoo keeper training facility that houses 50 plus, rescued Big Cats (as well as two New Guinea Singing Dogs).
Marika went on to receive her certification in dog training from The Animal Behaviour College. This certification required multiple written exams as well as many weeks as an intern with a professional dog trainer.
In March 2011 Marika achieved the certification “Certified Professional Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed” or CPDT-KA. The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers is an internationally recognized certification process based on; hours training, letters of recommendation from clients, colleagues and veterinarians, as well as a four hour exam covering ethology, husbandry, learning theory, equipment and instruction skills.
Marika now spends her free time at both the Newtown and Waikanae SPCA, helping to train the dogs and puppies in order to make them more adoptable. During her time at the SPCA she has been having fun as a pet photographer. You can find many of her pictures of adoptable dogs and cats on this site as well as the official adoption site for the Wellington SPCA.
Marika continues to keep up to date on new training methods by attending seminars, classes, and educational reading.
Seminars attended: 2009 Ian Dunbar in Christchurch, 2010, 2011 APDT NZ Conference, 2011 APDT AU Conference.
Affiliations and Awards: IAABC(supporting member), APDTNZ, APDT Australia, APDT (professional), ABCDT graduate, CADTS and DAWG committee member.
The Susan Wilkins Achievment Award 2011- from APDT Australia for…
“Her knowledge and experience in training techniques, obedience training, shelter work, development of new programs, agility training, media work, promotion of APDT aims and objectives, marketing, mentoring and one-on-one training”. – Dr Joanne Sillice, Award Judge 2011
