About Us

Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, (CAAB) has made a lifelong commitment to improving the relationship between people and animals. She is known worldwide as an expert on canine and feline behavior and dog training, and for her engaging and knowledgeable dog training books, DVDs and seminars. Patricia has seen clients for serious behavioral problems since 1988, and is an Adjunct Associate Professor in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, teaching "The Biology and Philosophy of Human/Animal Relationships." For fourteen years she dispensed advice about behavior problems, and information about animal behavior research, on Wisconsin Public Radio's Calling All Pets, which was heard in over 90 cities around the country.

A highly-sought after speaker on dog behavior and training, McConnell has presented seminars all over the United States, and in Canada, Germany, Australia, Sweden and Belgium. In 2010 she'll be speaking in Florida, Massachusetts, Toronto, Seattle and New Zealand (see Events).

She is the author of the much-acclaimed books The Other End of the Leash (which is now published in 13 languages), For the Love of A Dog: Understanding Emotions in You and Your Best Friend and Tales of Two Species. Her self-published book and booklets on dog training and dog and cat behavior problems continually receive rave reviews from professional trainers, veterinarians and dog and cat lovers from all over the world. Dr. McConnell is also the behavior columnist for the Bark magazine (www.thebark.com) "the New Yorker of Dog Magazines") and writes for many other publications, including APDT's Chronicle of the Dog and Natural History. She has made numerous television appearances, including spots with Anderson Cooper on CNN, Marth Stewart and Wayne Brady.

Patricia received her Ph.D. in Zoology in 1988 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison researching dog behavior and communication between professional trainers and working domestic animals. Her dissertation received the prestigious Allee Award from the Animal Behavior Society in that same year. Patricia and Nancy Raffetto founded Dog's Best Friend, Ltd in 1988. Dogs Best Friend Training, LLC is now owned and operated by the very capable Aimee Moore of Madison, WI. For more information about dog training classes and behavior consultation in the Madison, WI area, go to www.dogsbestfriendtraining.com. Patricia has two dogs, one confident cat and a very spoiled flock of sheep on a small farm in Southwestern Wisconsin. Her two Border Collies, Willie & Hope, keep her outside and active, and the memories of her beloved Great Pyrenees, Tulip, keeps her humble. Trisha suffers from Separation Anxiety each time she leaves her dogs at home when she leaves on her numerous speaking engagements around the country.

Denise Swedlund is the Office Manager extraordinaire at McConnell Publishing, Ltd. She started with Patricia at what was then Dog's Best Friend, Ltd., in 1995, and immediately set to work creating order out of chaos. (Apparently, Patricia had not yet figured out how to train papers to file themselves. Rumor has it she has still not perfected that method... ). Denise has been an integral part of the business ever since she came, using her analytical and organizational skills to grow a tiny business into helping thousands of animals and animal lovers around the world.

Denise and her husband John live in the little town of Mazomanie, in the  hills of  Southwestern Wisconsin.   She has two sons, Brandon  a Meteorologist, and Nick a Respiratory Therapist. Denise shares her home with 3 cats, Morris, Callie and Zen, and a Golden Retriever named Cooper. She is also the owner of a Quarter horse named Blaze. In her spare time she enjoys renovating her home, flower gardening , horseback riding and spending time with her family and pets.

Andrea Stephenson, Marketing Director, manages the website and helps us to promote the message of positive-based training around the world. She is an active 'foster mom' who rescues, trains and re-homes Golden Retrievers. Along with several foster dogs, she has four of her own. Goldens "Captain Ahab" and "Moby", Black Lab "Shoe" and Australian Shepherd "Curly" who keeps order at her farm. Additionally, she and her partner (also named Andy!) rescue horses from local sale barns. Both can be found exploring the hills of Wisconsin on their trusty steeds "Buddy" and "Cole" on the weekends. "Dr. Trisha is my most favorite client, ever. And I've worked with a lot of interesting characters these past 20 years!" says Andi. "I thought I knew a lot about connecting with dogs, but her soulful yet scientific approach has brought me even closer to my dogs than I ever thought possible."

Katie Martz has been everything from student of Patricia's, to farm-sitter, and now Client Services Coordinator at McConnell Publishing, Ltd.  She is affectionately known as "Girl Monday-Friday" and her title says it all.  She helps out with seminar preparation, updating the website, and reviewing new DVDs and books.

In her free time Katie enjoys spending time with her young Dogo Argentino, Lily.  They are currently training to compete in agility, obedience, and maybe even tracking.  Lily especially enjoys Katie's new position at McConnell Publishing because she gets to come along to try out new dog toys!  Katie also owns a six-year-old Quarter horse named Kodiak Jack.  She's very interested in ethology and is training to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer.