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Kim Downing's Biography:

I have a long history in communications work from my early times of debate and public speaking to my college career and beyond.

I am an honors graduate from the University of Kansas with a journalism degree. I specialized in broadcast communications, radio management, and sales and promotions.

I have used my English skills for working with international students from all over the globe. While at the University of Kansas, I coordinated English conversational groups, and more recently, I served as an English instructor for a worldwide, French based company. I assisted business professionals from places such as France, Germany, Russia, Spain, and Italy to improve their English skills.

I currently am a self employed business owner working in two capacities: professional dog trainer and freelance writer.

As a dog trainer, I have a large wealth of experience and knowledge including certification, CPDT-KA. I am also an approved AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and a former service dog trainer. For more information on my dog training background, please visit Your Best Dog.

I am a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and I currently serve on the Communications Corp for the Association.

As a freelance writer, I tend to combine my interests of writing and dogs! I write articles for all formats including web and print (including Animal Planet Dogs 101 German Shepherd Dog from TFH Publications), and I also serve as an expert voice and dog training professional for a member's only website. I am a member of the Dog Writers Association of America. See the specialties page for more information about what I can do.