Molly Sumridge (Sumner) is the owner and founder of Kindred Companions LLC. She has a master’s degree in Anthrozoology and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Anthrozoology at the University of Exeter. It is her vision to make training a life-improving experience for pets and owners alike.

Molly was previously an Assistant Professor of Anthrozoology at Carroll College in Helena, MT, where she lead the canine training, behavior, and welfare program in which students train foster dogs during the academic year. She also taught courses in Canine Science, Research Methods, and Critical Animal topics. She oversaw numerous student independent studies including training a miniature horse for service work, training cats for welfare education and outreach, canine behavior research, and more.

Molly shares her home with her primitive, herding, and Rez dogs, who she trains for competition obedience, rally, lure coursing, barn hunt, and animal-assisted activities. In 2013 Molly put the first competition title on a New Guinea Singing Dog, and in 2020 Molly’s chicken Alice was certified as a working therapy animal. In her spare time, she assists the Lewis and Clark Humane Society with training and behavior modification of some of the dogs and cats in their care.

Though she has been training dogs for almost 2 decades, Molly is constantly broadening her knowledge and expertise. She attends multiple seminars every year to stay up to date on current methods, equipment, and the field general. She has also served on the board of multiple breed and industry organizations.

Molly is located in Helena Montana, (formally Frenchtown, New Jersey) and is available for Dog Training, All-Species Animal Behavioral Counseling, and Competition Sports Coaching. She is available for training sessions in-person in the Helena Montana area and remotely all over the world. Molly is also available for webinars, podcasts, and interviews and has experience as an expert witness for court cases.

Molly's Certifications, Memberships, & Affiliations:

• PhD candidate in the field of Anthrozoology at the University of Exeter

• Master of Science in Anthrozoology
  (Masters Thesis - Winner of Best Poster presentation at 2019 ISAZ conference - Published March 2021 “Owner-Reported Attachment and Behavior Characteristics of New Guinea Singing Dogs Living as Companion Animals”)

• Certified Dog Behavioral Consultant (CDBC)

• Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge and Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA)

• Certified Fear Free Professional

• Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor (CBATI-KSA)

• Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist (C-AAIS)

• Dog and Handler Team for Intermountain Therapy Animals

• Chicken and Handler Team for Intermountain Therapy Animals

• Certified Whistle Recall Instructor (CWRI)

• Certified Compassion Fatigue Educator

• Certified Compassion Fatigue Therapist

• Certified QPR Gatekeeper Instructor

• Pet CPR and First Aid Certified

• AKC CGC, CGCA, CGCU, Trick Dog Evaluator

• member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

• member of the National Shiba Club of America

• member of the Animal Behavior Society

• member of the Animals and Society Institute

• member of the International Society for Anthrozoology

Past Work and Affiliations

• Assistant Professor of Anthrozoology at Carroll College in Helena Montana

• Subject Matter Expert for a Practitioners Exam for Animal-Assisted Interventions

• Board Member for the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

• Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs Therapy Dog Evaluator

• Dog and Handler Team with Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs

• Dog and Handler Team with Roxy Reading Therapy Dogs

• President of the Frenchtown Business and Professionals Association

• President of the Shiba Club of Greater New York

• Animal Welfare Director and Behavioral Rehabilitator for NYC Shiba Rescue

• Board Member of the National Shiba Club of America

• member of the National Shiba Club of America Companion Events Committee

• member of the National Shiba Club of America Health Committee

• blogger and contributor for Barkpost

Molly's Dogs: Kihaku Shibas

• Kihaku's Road Less Traveled RLP, RLPX, RL1, RL2, NW1, SD-NB, SD-NC, SD-NE, RATI, RATO, CGCA, All Star Team 2014, - "Journey" (New Guinea Singing Dog)

• Saras Himalaya's Epic of Kihaku - "Shinra" (Tibetan Mastiff)

• Nozomi Kihaku Tsuki No Usagi - RN, RLP-AOE, RLPX, RL1-AOE, RL2, CGCA, CGCU, TKI, BCAT, Certifed Therapy Dog - "Saga" (Shiba Inu)

• Kihaku’s Find Balance “Korra” (Cattle Dog Mix - Rez Dog)

• Brooks Ravens and Writing Desks at Kihaku “Quill” (Australian Cattle Dog)

Gone but not forgotten

• Kihaku Spice Up My Life NYCSR RATI, CGC, - "Ginger" 2001-2017

• Kihaku's Poetry in Motion RLV-AOE, CA, CGCA, - "Haiku" (Shiba Inu) 2005-2019

• ARCHX Kihaku's Follow Your Heart RL1-AOE, RL1X, RL2-AOE, RL2X, CGCA, CGCU, TKI, All Star Team 2014, - "Tracker" (Australian Cattle Dog Mix) 2003-2020

• Niji's Queen of the Dragons RN, THD, RATI, RATO, CGCA, CGCU, All Star Team 2012, - "Saphira" (Shiba Inu) 2007-2022

• Innisfree Mashigura of Kihaku HIT, BN, PCD, CD, ASCA-CD, CD-C, CDX-C, GN, RE, RL1-AOE, RL2-AOE, ITD, RATI, RATN, CGCA, CGCU, All Star Team 2010 & 2012, Versatile Shiba Award Winner- "Mashi" (Shiba Inu) 2007-2022

Awards, Honors, Grants

2021

Outstanding Teaching Award - Carroll College

Jerry Berberet Summer Faculty Research and Writing Grant

Publication of “Owner-Reported Attachment and Behavior Characteristics of New Guinea Singing Dogs Living as Companion Animals” in the journal Anthrozoos

2019

Best Student Poster Presentation - “Owner-Reported Attachment and Behavior Characteristics of New Guinea Singing Dogs Living as Companion Animals”

Continuing Education