May 23, 1996

To Whom It May Concern

RE: C.W. Meisterfeld, Canine Psychoanalyst

Dear Sirs:

I am a veterinarian in the United States. I have a companion animal practice, attending approximately three thousand canine patients. My wife is a Veterinary Medical Technician and a Canine Behavior Consultant.

We were first introduced to C.W. Meisterfeld's approach to psychological dog training in March of 1994. Since that time I have found that this humane method of dog training has been repeatedly the most effective and safest approach to behavior problems. My wife Nora and I feel quite strongly that utilizing mutual respect and trust through psychological dog training as Dr. Meisterfeld has described prevents or corrects behaviors that can be dangerous.

This was new information to me as a veterinarian. My training in canine behavior was incomplete at best and was based on dominant training methods that I have since found can put the dog's owner and the dog at risk of injury. The mutual respect utilized in training as described by Dr. Meisterfeld has repeatedly been successful without endangering the dog or the people around him.

We would encourage anyone involved in animal training or behavior problems to evaluate this humane and effective approach with an open mind and the compassion that we as veterinary health care professionals have toward our patients.

Sincerely,

Dr. W. T. Sternecker
Nora Sternecker, V.M.T.
Ohio