About Me

Hi, I’m Ruby. I'm a certified and qualified positive reinforcement force-free trainer and animal welfare professional. I find animal behaviour fascinating and always try to keep learning so that I can use the most updated scientific methods to help animals, the people they live with and those who work with them.

The WFA Story

About 8 years ago, Ruby was working in China and in her free time she volunteered at a local veterinary clinic. One day she joined the veterinarians to a local shelter to drop off a rescue dog. The deplorable conditions at the shelter were heart-breaking, and from there WFA was formed.

We first started consulting shelters across China and then Thailand. After realizing that shelter welfare was one aspect of a larger problem, a lack of awareness and education for pet guardians and animal professionals, WFA changed into an animal welfare and dog training business. Since then, we have traveled across China and Canada teaching veterinarians, animal professionals, shelter workers, dog trainers and dog guardians in 1-to-1 private consultations.

Certifications

Ruby Leslie, the WFA Companion Animal Trainer and Founder, is a dedicated professional in the field of animal behaviour, training and shelter welfare. She continuously reads scientific articles, listens to shelter welfare, veterinary, behaviourist and training webinars, always aims to increase her qualifications to the most scientific, reward and research based methods, and is currently working towards her Advanced Canine Behaviour Diploma with the ISCP.

Certified Professional

• Silver Level Low Stress Handling Certified (Low Stress Handling University)

• Fear Free Level 3 Certified Veterinary Professional (Fear Free Pets)

• Fear Free Grooming Certified (Fear Free Pets)

• Fear Free Shelter Certified (Fear Free Pets)

• Kids Around Dogs Certified (Kids Around Dogs)

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR CERTIFICATIONS

• Dog Cognition (Duke University)

• Animal Behaviour and Welfare (University of Edinburgh)

• The Truth about Cats and Dogs (University of Edinburgh)

• Animal Behaviour with Distinctions (University of Melbourne)

• Dog Behaviour Problems and Solutions (Arizona State University)

Cat training CERTIFICATIONS

• Feline Behaviour & Health (International Society for Feline Medicine)

• Introducing Cats and Dogs (International Society for Feline Medicine)

• CPD: Feline Diabetes: Medical and Nutritional (International Society for Feline Medicine)

dog training CERTIFICATIONS

• Dog Wellness Seminar (Turid Rugaas)

• Puppy Training for the Veterinary Professional (CEVA)

• A Weekend Talking About Behaviour (Terrie Hayward)

• Puppy Training for the Veterinary Professional (CEVA)

• BAT 101: Behaviour Adjustment Training (Grisha Stewart BAT)

• Urban BAT(Grisha Stewart BAT)

• Fear Free Nail Trims: Behavioral Considerations to Trim Away the Terror (Fear Free Pets)

• Loose Lead Walking (Canine Principles)

other CERTIFICATIONS

• A New Understanding of C.A.T (Aggressive Dog)

• The Dog Rescuers Guide (Canine Principles)

• Fear Free Shelter Intake and Admission Module (Fear Free Shelters)

• Fear Free Shelter Shelter Housing Module (Fear Free Shelters)

• Free-Ranging Dog/Village Dogs (Marco Adda)

• Life Enrichment for Shelter Animals (Maddie's Institute)

• Shelter Medicine & Incorporating Behavioural Medicine in Daily Practice & Biosecurity (Vetfolio)

• CPD: Cognitive Dysfunction: An Emotional Disorder in the Elderly Canine (CEVA Animal Health)

Memberships/Associations

Ruby is an international positive reinforcement, force-free trainer, listed as a trainer with the Alberta Force Free Alliance (AFFA), Full Member of the Association of IntoDogs, an umbrella organization of ICAN, a member of INTODogs Rescue, professional member of The Dog Welfare Alliance, Friend Member of the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe (PDTE) a student with the International School of Canine Psychology, (ISCP), member of the Pet Professional Guild and is a Fear Free and Low Stress Handling Certified Professional.