More about Dr. Jim Ha, PhD, CAAB
My academic and practical training is in the social behavior of birds and mammals, with a special focus on highly social species like domestic dogs, crows and jays, primates, and killer whales. My background includes a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Millersville University (1980), a Master’s degree in Biology from Wake Forest University (1983), a Ph.D. in Zoology, with a specialization in animal behavior, from Colorado State University(1989), and professional credential as a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, the highest level of certification in dog behavior that is available. At the University of Washington since 1990, I am currently a Research Full Professor in Psychology (Animal Behavior Program) where I teach and conduct research in complex social behavior and cognition of several animal species. My teaching and lecturing on dog behavior is international, with participation in international professional conferences and recently, teaching a course in dog behavior in Brazil.
During my graduate training, I interned with Dr. Philip Lehner (Colorado State University) and was active in his behavior consulting business in Colorado, Animal Behavior Associates of Colorado. I started my own consulting business in companion animal behavior, Animal Behavior Associates of Washington, in 1999 and re-formed this enterprise with a business partner into Companion Animal Solutions, L.L.C. from 2007-2012. I have now returned to a solo practice, in affiliation with Adaptive Animals (Dr. Robin Foster). I perform in-home evaluations and treatments on behavior issues (80% aggression) in dogs, cats and parrots (averaging 45 cases/year) and advise on numerous additional cases per year seen by staff and colleagues. In addition, I have participated in a number of legal cases as an expert witness, both Consulting and Testifying, and on cases involving both dog bites and dog tracking behavior. I have also been involved with the development of the professional certification program for applied animal behaviorists through our professional academic organization, the Animal Behavior Society (www.animalbehavior.org) and have served as a member of the Animal Behavior Society’s Executive Committee for many years.
During my graduate training, I interned with Dr. Philip Lehner (Colorado State University) and was active in his behavior consulting business in Colorado, Animal Behavior Associates of Colorado. I started my own consulting business in companion animal behavior, Animal Behavior Associates of Washington, in 1999 and re-formed this enterprise with a business partner into Companion Animal Solutions, L.L.C. from 2007-2012. I have now returned to a solo practice, in affiliation with Adaptive Animals (Dr. Robin Foster). I perform in-home evaluations and treatments on behavior issues (80% aggression) in dogs, cats and parrots (averaging 45 cases/year) and advise on numerous additional cases per year seen by staff and colleagues. In addition, I have participated in a number of legal cases as an expert witness, both Consulting and Testifying, and on cases involving both dog bites and dog tracking behavior. I have also been involved with the development of the professional certification program for applied animal behaviorists through our professional academic organization, the Animal Behavior Society (www.animalbehavior.org) and have served as a member of the Animal Behavior Society’s Executive Committee for many years.
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