Pia Silvani has been teaching for over 30 years starting with dance, track and field, and swimming where her accomplishments and achievements were internationally recognized.  But she found her true calling in coaching and teaching dogs and even cats, where she continues to receive international recognition and accolades in the many programs she has developed.

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Pia recently settled into a new and rewarding position with Asheville Humane Society in NC, applying her expertise and knowledge to assist in behavioral assessments and rehab of shelter dogs and developing training programs. 

 

Before this, Pia worked as Director of Behavioral Rehabilitation for the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center located Weaverville, NC.  This groundbreaking Center focuses on helping animal victims of cruelty and neglect to overcome their feelings of fear and increase their chances of successfully finding a loving forever home.  She was instrumental in getting over 400 fearful dogs adopted. The Behavioral Rehabilitation program started as a pilot funded by the ASPCA, and held on the campus of St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ,.  It is featured in an award-winning documentary, "Second Chance Dogs," currently available on Netflix.

 

For 25 years, Pia was Vice President of Training and Behavior as well as Behavior Specialist at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ.  Pia developed numerous courses focused on positive, reward-based techniques, which are extremely effective in the enhancement of the bond and relationship of the dog with his/her human companion.   The result was an astounding 100+ classes per week, which included 8 levels of pet training classes, and specialty courses designed for dogs with extreme behavioral problems.   The very successful Feisty Fidos(TM) curriculum which she developed while working at St. Hubert's has gotten rave reviews around the world.    Pia continues to train new trainers in the field and has written six training manuals, which are used nationally as a resource guide for other trainers.  She offers workshops around the world on enrichment, training, and behavior modification for the shelter dog and your pet dog or cat.

 

While at St. Hubert’s, Pia

• was instrumental in developing a behavior department.

• developed a canine coach program where volunteers and apprentice dog trainers work with shelter dogs to help them become more adoptable by achieving and maintaining good manners.

• developed a private consultation department geared towards pet owners with aggressive or anxiety-related problems for dogs and cats.

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Pia has spoken at various conferences and forums nationally (in 47 states) and internationally (including Belgium, Bermuda, England, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Australia).  She routinely gives guest appearances on television and radio and consults with various shelters to assist them in improving and expanding their programs.

 

Affiliations:

Charter member, American Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)

Subject Matter Expert, Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)

Animal Behavior Society