Dr. Leah Nettle, Ph.D.
Dr. Leah Nettle earned her PhD. in Biology from SUNY Binghamton University focusing on animal behavior, ecology and evolution. She studied the vocal communication of American Crows deciphering the contexts and functions of two crow calls.
Prior to Binghamton University, Dr. Nettle worked in a companion animal veterinary clinic as a veterinary assistant. From 2014 until 2018, she worked with and learned from Dr. Amy Marder, CAAB, a leading expert in the fields of animal shelter and companion animal behavior, attending to a variety of cat and dog behavior problems at appointments in the clients’ homes and in an office setting. She has also taught college-level classes on animal behavior, evolution and introductory biology. Additionally, she has volunteered with animal shelters and rescues in Massachusetts and New York.
Dr. Nettle and Dr. Marder currently co-teach an online course on shelter animal behavior for the University of Florida and lecture together internationally on the subject. Dr. Nettle also sees appointments and teaches classes for dogs and cats with behavior problems in Western New York.
Dr. Nettle is also a licensed Family Paws Parent Educator with expertise on incorporating the family dog in preparing families for a new baby, and then for toddlerhood. She has completed the International Dog Parkour Association’s instructor course and is working on becoming a certified dog parkour instructor. Additionally, she is a certified AKC CGC and Trick Dog evaluator. Dr. Nettle is also canine and feline CPR certified through Pet Emergency Education, LLC. She is ultimately working towards becoming a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist through the Animal Behavior Society.
In her free time, Dr. Nettle loves yoga, gardening, hiking and spending time with her husband, son, dog and two cats.
Courses Taught:
VME6812: Problem Oriented Approach to Shelter Animal Behavior and Welfare
VME6813: Behavioral Health of Shelter Dogs and Cats