Dr. Marder is currently working as an animal behavior consultant in private practice. In the past she held positions as the Vice-President of Behavioral Medicine at the ASPCA, the Director of Behavioral Service at the Animal Rescue League of Boston, the Director of the Center for Shelter Dogs, and adjunct faculty at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. During her time at the ASPCA she founded the Center for Behavioral Therapy and studied behavioral evaluations of shelter dogs.
Dr. Marder has published many journal articles on the topics of animal behavior and issues affecting animals in shelters. She has also written magazine columns, chapters, and books on pet care and behavior.
Dr. Marder earned her Veterinary Medical Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where she also completed the school’s first behavior residency. She is also a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist through the Animal Behavior Society.
Dr. Marder brings her experience in canine behavior and animal sheltering to National Canine Research Council, where she was an advisor from 2010-2014, and has been a Research and Policy Consultant since 2014.
This study examined both inter-rater reliability between experienced canine professionals and validity of visual breed identifications compared to DNA profiles—both were very low.
This paper covers a 10-year period (2000-2009) of all DBRFs across the entire U.S., and employs the most comprehensive methodology and scope in the literature.
Dr. Marder’s video interview on why dogs are individuals: