Lenny
Lenny began his journey training and shaping canine behavior in the United States Air Force in 1973 after completing Air Force Basic Training and Law Enforcement Schools. Lenny trained at Kelly and Medina AFB in San Antonio and became certified as a Law Enforcement Patrol Dog Handler, initially, in May of 1973.
His first assignment was to Grissom AFB in Indiana. At Grissom, Lenny became a force, 'second to none' and was written up for early promotion twice.
Lenny and his dog, Sam, were well known on and off the base. Lenny would often supervise training with local law enforcement patrol dog teams and handlers. Lenny also performed demonstrations for the Indiana State Police as well as school children throughout Indiana.
On his initial Airman Performance Report from the Air Force, Lenny achieved the highest score and was recognized for lowering crime on his installation due to high visibility. This was achieved by close contact with his squadron commander who allowed Lenny and Sam and another Patrol Dog Handler, Michael Goshorn to have presence all over the base, not just in normal patrol areas.
Lenny and Sam caught numerous felons in the commission of a crime because of stealth patrols, authorized by his Squadron Commander.
After one year in Indiana, Lenny then moved on to the Avianno AFB in Italy where he handled, Axel, on patrol, Axel, taught Lenny how to interact and handle an Alpha Dog. Lenny was attacked by Axel six times during their duty together. Lenny never sustained injuries and, to this day, thanks Axel for all he taught him.
After military service, Lenny went onto attend Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT. Initially majoring in Psychology, Lenny completed minor requirements in Psychology before switching majors to Administrative Science - Business Management.
Something was missing! Lenny's love for dogs led him to the purchase of a German Shepherd Dog puppy by the name of Smoky. Lenny then trained Smoky as a Patrol Dog in the Air Force fashion. Smoky became very proficient in manwork, tracking, scouting - air scenting and obedience on and off-leash. Lenny then donated him to the Connecticut State Police who initially refused taking any donor dogs until they saw how good he really was.
Lenny officially started Canine Cadre in June of 1977 taking on dog training clients after college attendance. Realizing that his knowledge was limited, Lenny sought further education.
He apprenticed under a Behavioral Biologist for three years who encouraged Lenny because of his background to consider the public's need for a Canine Behaviorist rather than just a dog trainer. Lenny delved deeper into the psyche of the canine mind and worked on very difficult cases from Separation Anxiety, Dominance Aggression, Territorial Aggression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, Idiopathic Aggression, etc., along with Schutzhund training and American Kennel Club Competition Training, Tracking and Helper Arts.
Lenny then started his career as a Canine Behaviorist after his Apprenticeship in one of the only federally approved programs for Vietnam-era Veterans in Connecticut.
After his Apprenticeship, Lenny achieved two AKC Obedience titles, taking a Highest Scoring German Shepherd Dog in Trial at the Farmington Polo Grounds in Farmington, CT.
Lenny then went to Universal Studios in Los Angeles, CA and observed animal trainers using behavior modification skills with training of animal acts. Intrigued by this, Lenny went to a 16-hour seminar with Dr. Erich Klinghammer of Purdue University.
Surprisingly, Erich often deferred to Lenny during the course of the seminar. Lenny was surprised at the lack of ego which Dr. Klinghammer displayed and how he felt that an Animal Behavior degree would be too wide in scope to stay focused on Canis Familiaris. Lenny listened and applied Dr. Klinghammers teachings with zest.
In the late 1980's Lenny was challenged by one of his clients, an Oncologist by the name of Dr. Dennis Cooper. Dennis challenged Lenny to back up his information with controlled studies. Lenny began a practice still perpetuated by Canine Cadre to have a behavioral reference library second to none.
Lenny, his Associates Mary Ellen and Michael Goshorn, Erich Stumpp, et al., started work on a comprehensive reference library. With hundred of citations and books, i.e., 'Genetics and the Social Behavior of Dogs', by Doctors Scott and Fuller, and many other citations from Tufts University, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, etc., etc., etc., Canine Cadre’s library enhances Apprentice development and training.
Another opportunity came Lenny's way when a Termite Inspector wanted him to travel to Louisiana to work with a dog of his being trained by Joan Brenes of New Orleans, LA. The dog, Sugar, manifested, Kennel Syndrome, and Lenny was called upon to help her make the transition to Termite Dog for the Northeast. Dan Bardon and his Termite Dog, Sugar, went on ABC News for a demonstration of her expertise, along with, Sherlock, another Beagle trained solely by Lenny for Termite and Carpenter Ant detection.
While in New Orleans, with the ideational fluent Joan Brenes, Lenny also learned Cadaver and Accelerant Detection from Joan. Joan and Lenny also shared intelligence on Narcotics Detection and utilization which became an immeasurable aid in helping Lenny secure approval by the DEA - Drug Enforcement Agency - to be an approved agency for the private sector.
Other important career milestones are:
Consultant to CBS News (Channel 2, NY) appeared December, 1984;
Consultant to the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
Consultant to United Illuminating, Electric Meter Reading Division, trained Meter Reader on dog bite prevention tactics;
Legal expert witness consultant for canine associated injury and also on a narcotics case;
Has appeared on WVIT (Channel 30 NBC) with Narcotics Dog, Snoop Doggy Dogg, for War on Drugs segment;
Author of, Watch your Step house training video, sponsored by Ralston Purina's Pro Visions Division;
Trainer of Search and Rescue Dogs: Teeghan for a Wallingford Firefighter Michael Lamy - R.I.P. - and Ranger for Drakeville Firewoman/Paramedic Sandy Brophy;
1998 Consultant to United States Air Force working Dog Program, Incirlik, AFB, Turkey;
1998 Consultant to United States Navy Narcotics and Military Working Dogs Program, Rota Navel Base, Spain. Specifically in the areas of Narcotics Dog Training Rotations, Utilization and Bite Troubleshooting for Belgian Malinois;
Trainer of narcotics, termite and Police Patrol Dogs, therapy, service/assistance dogs for the physically challenged. Have also trained hearing ear dogs for hearing challenged persons;
2004 Bomb Detection, Recognition and Investigation by the Public Agency Training Council, National Criminal Justice Division; Pete King of the Philadelphia PD Bomb Squad presented the seminar
