IACP Hall of Fame
IACP International Hall of Fame
Frank Inn, William E. Campbell, Barbara Woodhouse, Monks of New Skeet, Will Judy, Weatherwax Family, Captain Arthur Haggerty, Carol Lea Benjamin, Dr. lan Dunbar, Lois Meistrell, Vicki Hearne, William R. “Bill” Koehler, Wendy & Jack Volhard, Captain Max Emil Fredrick V. Stephanitz, Edi Munneke, Scott Mueller, Cesar Milan, Dr. Daniel F. Tortora, Martin Deeley, Dr. Bonnie Bergin, Winnifred Gibson Strikland, Dr Bruce Fogle, Sylvia Bishop, Bart Bellon, John & Sandra Halstead, Bob Jervis, Roger Abrantes, Steven Lindsay, Barbara DeGroodt, Tracy Atkins, Robert Cabral, Ivan Balabanov
IACP Member Hall of Fame
Jay Stull, Dick Russell, George Cockrell, Mary Mazzeri, Vivian Bregman, Cyndy Douan, Lorraine Smith, Aimee Sadler, Pat Trichter, Marc Goldberg, Bob Jervis, Tawni McBee, Dody Dunning, Leslie Horton, Chad Mackin, Mailey McLaughlin, Martin Deeley, Tyler Muto, Nelson Hodges, Heather Beck, Rick Alto, Jason Vasconi, Monica Davis, Willan Sadler
Newsletter Staff
Editor: Jason Purgason
Design: Emily Shekleton
Article Selection: Antonio Diaz
The editors reserve the right to refuse any advertising or any article or letter submitted for publication. Copy subject to editing for length and content.
Board of Directors:
President: Jason Purgason
Vice President: Fabian Romo
Treasurer: Laurie McIntosh
Secretary: Rachelle Yates
Director – Legislative: Marlene Ruiz
Director – European Members: Magdalena Szymanska
Director – Ethics: Matt Covey
Director – Therapy Dog: Lora Bacharach
Director – Certification: Fabian Romo
Director – Education: Antonio Diaz
Director – Member Support: Jason Purgason
Director – Service Dog: Laurie McIntosh
Legal Notices
The Canine Professional Journal is a publication of the International Association of Canine Professionals. The CPJ is intended as an education and communication vehicle for fostering learning, cooperation, exchange of information, and networking across the canine professions. The Canine Professional Journal is distributed bi-annually.
The IACP does not assume any legal responsibility for published articles. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IACP, its officers, or editorial staff.
Reprint Permission / Submission
Copyright 2026 IACP. All Rights Reserved. No items may be reprinted without the written permission of the IACP and the authors.
2026 IACP Annual Educational Conference
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the 2026 IACP Annual Conference in beautiful Newport Beach, California, August 18–20! Join iconic canine professionals as they share their expertise, insights, and passion for dog training. At an IACP Conference, you’ll elevate your dog training skills, learn directly from industry leaders, grow your network, and connect with like-minded professionals—all in one place. This year, we have Denise Fenzi kicking off conference as our Opening Keynote speaker and the 3-day event will wrap up with Robert Cabral as our Closing Keynote speaker! With this epic line-up of industry experts, you are sure to leave inspired.
Message From The President
As we move forward into 2026, I find myself incredibly optimistic about the direction of the International Association of Canine Professionals and the strength of the professionals who make up this association.
First, it is my pleasure to officially welcome Magdalena Szymanska as our newest member of the IACP Board of Directors. She brings a wealth of experience, a global perspective, and a deep commitment to professional excellence in the canine industry. Strong leadership is essential to a strong organization, and I am confident that her voice will add tremendous value as we continue to evolve and grow.
Behind the scenes, many of our committees are working diligently to develop new programs and initiatives that will directly benefit our members. From education and certification pathways to member engagement and outreach strategies, the momentum within the IACP is real.
Our PLUS ONE Campaign continues to gain traction, and we are welcoming new members from across the globe. Thanks to your efforts, we are currently at 61% of our membership growth goal. Although that is something to celebrate, we are not yet finished. Our goal is to reach 100% before August 2026, and we need your help to get us across the finish line.
I encourage each member to recruit at least one canine professional to join the IACP at any membership level. Whether they are seasoned industry veterans or emerging professionals seeking guidance and credibility, the IACP provides community, education, and professional recognition that elevates the entire field. This growth is not about numbers alone, it’s about influence, legitimacy, and collective strength. Every new member strengthens our voice.
We are looking forward to the inaugural Euro Canine Summit 2026 in Wieliczka, Poland, on June 5–7. The event features an amazing and diverse lineup of speakers. The global reach of the IACP continues to expand, and this inaugural European event reflects the high-level education and professional standards our members expect. These 2026 Euro Canine Summit will not only provide educational opportunities, but will serve as a catalyst for international collaboration and professional unity.
Finally, I am incredibly excited about our IACP Annual Educational Conference coming up 18-20th of August 2026 in beautiful Newport Beach, California. The speaker lineup is exceptional, representing a range of disciplines and perspectives within the canine profession.
In addition, I am thrilled about the Canine Science Summit, which will bring some of the most brilliant minds in our industry together in one room for a full day of learning and discussion. This event represents what the IACP does best: fostering meaningful dialogue between practitioners and scientists, bridging theory and application, and elevating standards across the profession.
The future of the IACP is bright because of you. Your commitment to professionalism, continued education, and ethical practice is what defines this remarkable association.
I hope to see you all at one of our conferences!
Sincerely,
Jason Purgason
IACP President