Animal Welfare Professionals

 
Devan Amundsen, CPDT-KA CBCC-KA, is a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant with over 10 years of experience working with not just dog owners, but dogs in shelters, assistance dogs, and other working dogs. Devan started as a volunteer training dogs at his local shelter, and since then has been a Kennel Technician, Dog Care Coordinator, Animal Control Officer, and Shelter Manager. Devan currently teaches college courses about dog training, dog behavior, kennel management, and animal sheltering at the Bachelor of Science and Associate of Science levels at Bergin College of Canine Studies in Sonoma County, California. Devan teaches approximately 25% of the Bachelor's degree program. Devan also helped modify the Bachelor of Science degree program, designing and instructing entirely new courses centered around animal sheltering and providing community support.  

Last year, Devan launched a pilot program at the university, assigning students to foster dogs pulled from shelters for the semester as part of their studies, then participating in placing those dogs into adoptive homes. The program continues to bring dogs from rescues into the program, specifically pregnant dogs who whelp and raise their puppies alongside the assistance dogs in training.  

In April of 2022, Devan joined the team at Oakland Animal Services as the Dog Behavior Coordinator. Beyond the day-to-day behavior work, the goal is to create programs and systems that can be replicated in other communities. This year, Animal Welfare United sponsored free group dog training classes in partnership with Bergin College. The goal is that these classes will serve as a pilot project for other communities to replicate.