Stephanie Keesey-Phelan,
Ph.D., Behavior Analysis
My name is Stephanie Keesey-Phelan and I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Analyst. Dog training and the science of behavior are my passions. It has been a delight to combine the two here at The Dog Behavior Institute.
I began working with dogs in the early 2000s, spurred on by the behavioral needs of our family Rottweiler, Rocky. I quickly bit the training bug and began to work at a dog training school in my hometown. I worked directly with dogs and their families through day training and group and individual classes.
When I went to the University of Connecticut to study animal behavior, I had a number of unique opportunities to learn about both companion and exotic animal care and training. I completed internships working with dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and farm animals at an animal sanctuary; working with lions, tigers, zebras, and giraffes at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, Massachusetts; and working with bottlenose dolphins at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. I also worked as a veterinary technician assistant at an animal hospital in the greater Boston area. Through all of these experiences, I learned a great deal about the science of behavior and how we can live our best lives with our animal family. I also learned that my true passion was in working directly with dogs and their families.
In 2011 I began my formal training in behavior analysis and have been working in the field of behavior change ever since!
Education
Academic Education
Stephanie holds a Doctoral Degree in Behavior Analysis from Simmons University (formerly Simmons College); a Master’s Degree in Behavior Analysis from Simmons College; and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Behavior from the University of Connecticut.
Conference Presentations
Decreasing Fingers-in-Kennel Behavior of Animal Shelter Visitors (Symposium). Presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN. Finalist for the Marian Breland Bailey Award, from the Applied Animal Behavior Special-Interest-Group. (May 25, 2013)
Graduate Study in Applied Animal Behavior (Panel). Presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN. (May 26, 2013)
Continuing Education & Courses
2021
Control Unleashed Instructor-In-Training (May 2021 - present)
Recalls! - Susan Garrett (March 20, 2021)
Separation Anxiety: Mission Possible - Malena DeMartini (Puppyworks; February 26, 2021)
Just an Excitable Dog: Living with High-Energy Canines - Pat Miller, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA (Puppyworks; February 20, 2021)
Fearful Dogs: Tools to Cope with Reactivity - Trish King (Pupppyworks; March 6, 2021)
2020
The Antecedents: Understanding the Why of the ABA Task Force - Vanessa Bethea-Miller (ABA Taskforce to Eradicate Social Injustice, June 19, 2020)
Behavior Analysts and Racism; A Frank Discussion - Lous Busch, Jason Keeler, Jose Rios, and Mawule Sevon (Association of Professional Behavior Analysts Webinar, June 29, 2020)
Ethical Considerations for Staff Supervision - Rhonda Davin, Ph.D., BCBA-D (Relias Webinar, July 28, 2020)
Supervision in Telehealth and Applied Behavior Analysis - Bruce Davis, M.S., Ph.D. (Relias Webinar, July 28, 2020)
2019
Leadership and Supervision - Dr. Ellie Kazemi, BCBA-D (Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis 14th Annual Convention; 2019)
Generalization in the Home and Community Setting: Working Together to Support Meaningful Change - Angie Broff, MSCP, BCBA, LBA (Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis 14th Annual Convention; 2019)
2018
Challenges of Supervision: Lazy Rats, Shopping Math, and the Internet - Rob Holdsambeck, EdD., LCP, BCBA-D (Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies 11th Annual West Coast Conference; 2018)
When Professionals Disagree: The Ethics of Effective Collaboration - Amanda N. Kelly, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA (Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies 11th Annual West Coast Conference; 2018)
Shaping Supervision: Creating a Climate of Clinical Excellence - Kathleen Penland, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA (Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis 14th Annual Convention; 2018)
2017 and earlier
Conducting Private Consultations - Veronica Boutelle (March 25, 2011)
Working with the Aggressive Patient - Michelle Posage, DVM (June 10, 2010)
Behavior Modification in the Real World - Dee Ganley, CPDT, CABC, CDBC (November 8, 2008)
Marine Mammal Care Intern, National Aquarium in Baltimore (Winter 2008/2009)
Animal Care Intern, Zoo New England (Summer 2008)
Animal Care Intern, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (Summer 2007)
What I’m doing with my dog
At the time of this writing, Kerberos (aka Kerby) is a four-month-old mini Australian Shepherd. We spend our time training foundational skills like walking on leash, coming when called, and relaxing on a mat. But we are also working on teaching Kerby to ride in a backpack and in a bicycle trailer so he can begin accompanying my husband and me on our adventures! I would love to do agility and scentwork with Kerby and he seems like he's going to be a good fit for those sports. Some of his favorite activities include jumping onto and off of any high object he can find and sniffing out bugs and slugs in the yard.
