The Education of Will
Healing a Dog, Facing My Fears, Reclaiming My Life
"McConnell gives a voice to those who can’t speak in words and provides hope for fearful animals everywhere.”
—Temple Grandin, author of Animals Make Us Human
and Animals in Translation
"Wisdom earned in the hardest places, dog and human, brings with it a carrying message of hope. The Education of Will is riveting from the first page to the last.”
—Susannah Charleson, author of Scent of the Missing
and The Possibility Dogs
"It is original, powerful, heartwrenching in its honesty — and filled with a comforting, gentle grace.”
—Cat Warren, author of What the Dog Knows
The Education of Will: Synopsis
When a troubled and aggressive young border collie named Will enters Dr. Patricia McConnell’s life, she is confronted with a problem that she has never faced in her decades working as a world-renowned animal behaviorist. Her special connection with Will triggers memories of harrowing traumas in Patricia’s own life and unearths a secret she had long repressed. In order to save Will from his dangerous behavior, Patricia must summon the courage to address her own buried emotional pain. On her journey to healing, with Will as her trusted companion, she transforms fear into compassion, confusion into insight, and isolation into empathy.
Beautifully written, interweaving enlightening accounts of other dogs she has helped with tales of her deepening bond with Will, The Education of Will chronicles Patricia’s fight to reclaim her life—and relieve Will’s fears in the process. Hopeful and inspiring, their story reminds us that, while trauma from the past casts a long shadow, healing is possible—for both people and dogs.
REVIEWS & FEEDBACK
What People Are Saying
“The Education of Will delves deep into the minds of people and dogs, and into the effects of trauma, showing that healing is possible. McConnell gives a voice to those who can’t speak in words and provides hope for fearful animals everywhere.”
—Temple Grandin, author of Animals Make Us Human and Animals in Translation
“An unflinching look at trauma and how one woman grows beyond it—beside a wondrous, troubled spark of a dog who needs her help and helps her know herself. Wisdom earned in the hardest places, dog and human, brings with it a carrying message of hope. The Education of Will is riveting from the first page to the last.”
—Susannah Charleson, author of Scent of the Missing and The Possibility Dogs
“Patricia B. McConnell’s inspirational memoir, The Education of Will, is, above all, a book about redemption. McConnell faces her own history of trauma as she tries to understand and heal her fearful and reactive border collie, Willie. This book is filled with McConnell’s fascinating and often humorous insights about working with wonderful and sometimes wounded dogs. But this isn’t a book about training dogs. It’s much more. The Education of Will engages in an intimate and challenging conversation with the reader: about saving yourself, saving others, and allowing others to save you. It is original, powerful, heartwrenching in its honesty — and filled with a comforting, gentle grace.”
—Cat Warren, author of What the Dog Knows
Other Books from Patricia
Trisha’s debut mystery novel. A woman. A dog. A murder.
Stories, science, and advice about the emotional lives of dogs.
Your dog is begging you to read this! A classic, now in thirteen languages.
Trainer Favorite! Get your puppy started on the right paw.
Booklets That Make Training Easier
Patricia's concise training and behavior booklets are trusted by dog lovers and professionals alike. Filled with practical, positive-reinforcement techniques, they're perfect for individual owners and available at discounted pricing for trainers, shelters, and rescue organizations.
Upcoming Events
Explore upcoming appearances, workshops, and speaking events featuring Patricia McConnell.
View event details, dates, locations, andregistration information.
Beyond the Books
Go beyond the page with Patricia's latest podcast and radio interviews. Listen as she shares stories behind her books, insights into dog behavior, and theinspiration behind Away to Me—with conversations that are thoughtful, engaging, and full of heart.