NAIA's annual Conference
October 2-3, 2010
Denver Colorado
(a reception will be held the night before)

Enhancing the Bond
Preserving our working, performing and companion dogs

NAIA invites you to attend its 2010 Annual Conference: Enhancing the Bond. The conference includes presentations by leading authorities on fascinating and important subjects related to our dogs: the domestication of wild canids; the evolution of canine cognition and the communications repertoire between dogs and humans; an overview of historical and current canine roles; and a discussion of the challenges we face and strategies we need to preserve our dogs for future generations.

• Robert Wayne, PhD, UCLA professor of biological evolution in the department of evolutionary ecology and biology: The domestication of wild canids.
• Brian Hare, PhD, Duke University, Assistant professor of biological anthropology and anatomy and an investigator at the Duke Canine Cognition Center, where he studies the unique cognitive abilities in domestic dogs and other canids: The evolution of canine cognition.
• Paul Mundell, National Director of Canine Programs for Canine Companions for Independence, a national nonprofit organization that breeds, raises and trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities: Selection, breeding, training and conditioning.
• Scott Thomas, Manager, TSA Canine Breeding and Development Center’s Program: Future Dog - Maintaining the genes and heritage of man's best working partner.
• Doug  Ljungren, AKC AVP Performance Events:  A tour of early hunting and working dogs and a look at their modern counterparts.
• Janice Aria, Director, Animal Stewardship Training, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation: Conditioning, training and caring for animals in entertainment and education.
• Ken Ramirez, Renown trainer and Senior VP of animal collections and animal training at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium: Training: Why it matters, its evolution and practical application today.
• Patti Strand, NAIA Chairman: Challenges to the canine-human bond – preserving the gift of dog ownership for future generations.
• Margaret Poindexter, Attorney, AKC General Counsel and Director of AKC inspections: Developing higher standards for keeping and breeding dogs.
• Stephen Budiansky, Author, historian, journalist: The Evolution of the human-animal bond.
• Thomas Famula, PhD, UC Davis, professor of animal science: How to maintain genetic diversity without losing breed identity in small populations