A group of traveling dog trainers and dog owners from the United States and Canada made their way to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, via a training course that took place onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. The course gave the trainers and dog owners the opportunity to work with SAGA Humane Society and learn more about its operations on the island.
The ‘Education at Sea’ training program was organized by dog trainer Heather Beck, a board member of SAGA and the founder of K9 Lifeline in Daper, Utah. Heather lead the Education at Sea Cruise with over 30 dog trainers and dog owners who departed from Galveston, Texas on April 19, 2015, docking in Roatan, Honduras and then in Belize City on April 23. While in the country the group hopped on to Ambergris Caye for lunch and work hands on with San Pedro’s Saga Humane Society, training some local stray dogs or ‘potlikers’ as they call them in Belize.
Education at Sea offered a unique opportunity to its participants to expand their expertise and knowledge in a fun, relaxed and stimulating environment. For seven days members cruised the beautiful Caribbean Sea, with three days of interactive lecture while traveling onboard the cruise ship. The lectures consisted of topics that helped bring attendees better understanding of dogs and humans and how to better interact and work with both.
These seven days consisted of days that allowed exploring and excursion trips. Stops included Honduras, Belize, and Cozumel. Heather Beck took the opportunity to bring the group to discover the country of Belize while she offered a hands-on experience with the shelter she works with here in San Pedro. Also participating in the program was local dog trainer, groomer and Saga board member Katia Marin of Pampered Paws services.
More on Heather Beck:Founder of K9 Lifeline in Draper, UT. Heather Beck is well recognized internationally for her unmatched success in socializing and working with difficult and aggressive dogs, she is known as the “Socializing Specialist”. For many years, she has run off leash socialization classes for her clients and their dogs every Saturday. Heather’s skills with people and dogs are what drew the attention of Cesar Millan,”TheDog Whisperer”. When not teaching or working with clients in UT, Heather works alongside Cesar teaching workshops to students from around the world at the world famous Dog Psychology Center in CA.
Heather has been working with dogs since 1995. Her experience ranges from Animal Control Officer to fostering dogs for adoption to running her own large breed and pitbull rescue. Currently, she also lives part time in Belize and works with Saga Humane Society. She has been featured on the HGTV’s show House Hunters International thanks to the work she does in Belize. She works to help to trap packs of feral dogs and cats, pick up strays, create and implement education programs, and coordinating visiting vet teams.
For more info about Heather Beck and Saga Humane Society check out the websites:
Katia Marin of Saga Humane Society/owner of Pampered Paws joined Heather Beck on Dog Training Course
Heather Beck conducts dog training session in Cozumel, Mexico
Heather Beck conducts dog training session at Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship
