At Cesar Millan, Inc., our goal is to make the world a better place, one dog at a time. The Ambassadors group was created to harness the power of the pack in order to make a greater difference in our world. Cesar Millan Ambassadors is a volunteer organization that helps spread the word about Cesar Millan events and products on the internet and in their community; assist in events, such as Dog Whisperer auditions or fundraisers for the Millan foundation, that are held in their area; and share their participation and outreach in their community with other pack leaders. Together, we work to build a greater awareness of our dogs’ needs and create a positive “ripple effect” in the dog community.

CMI: How did you first learn about Cesar Millan?

LB: Our organization was achieving some outstanding results with shelter dogs by utilizing techniques practiced by the Monks of New Skete and Monty Roberts, the original Horse Whisperer. One of our volunteers commented on the similarities of our methodology with that of Cesar Millan’s and that made us want to know more about him and his philosophy. We were blown away by his approach of first training the humans before rehabilitating the dogs.

CMI: What is it about his techniques and philosophies that interest you?

LB: Achieving and maintaining balance in everything you do. To be in balance with all that’s around you requires a committed effort to be the calm within the chaos, but results in a leadership consciousness that directly impacts every relationship. Without practicing his philosophy of balanced, calm assertiveness, Cesar’s techniques are useless. Subsequently, we find that Cesar’s way is more than dog training; it’s about a commitment to leadership, living in the moment, and realizing the personal fulfillment we can achieve when we act in cooperation with, instead of against, what is natural for us and our animals.

CMI: How did you hear about the ambassadors program and what made you apply to be part of the program?

LB: I was approached by CJ Anderson and asked if I would be interested in helping her spearhead an ambassador program. She wanted me as an advisor because of my extensive experience as a shelter director and because of the success of our unique rehabilitation/rehome program. This is a program specifically designed to significantly reduce owner surrenders by keeping pets with homes, in their homes. We discovered that educating pet owners and resolving behavior issues using Cesar’s concept of exercise, discipline and affection as the basis for a balanced canine-human relationship works far better than just trying to shift one dog’s problems to another owner in hopes that it might work, this time. Cesar’s Way has helped us keep 67% of pet owners seeking our help from surrendering their animals to a shelter. We know we could do better with more time, money and people; and we’re working on it!

CMI: What do you do as an ambassador?

LB: As an individual ambassador and pack leader of three, big and beautiful, black dogs, I strive to show by example how Cesar’s philosophy benefits every pet owner and every dog. As the director of Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary & rescue, I use my office as a bully pulpit to educate and inform both prospective and current pet owners on the joys of doing it right; and the potential tragedies when it all goes wrong. As a Cesar Millan Ambassador, first and foremost, I am an educator.

CMI: What do you want people to know about Cesar and the Ambassadors?

LB: I would hope that in spite of Cesar’s media celebrity status, the public perceives his Ambassadors as much more than a group of devoted fans. Yes, those of us who’ve had the opportunity to meet and talk with him can’t help but admire his infectious energy, but perhaps more importantly, we are equally inspired by his compassion and passion to make a difference in this world. While the media may deliver his message to millions every year, it is the every day, one on one contact by us, the Ambassadors, that demonstrates how well his concept of calm assertive leadership and balance works! The trick is to get people to understand that he is not about training the dog to do what a human wants him to do but about finding the natural balance that already exists in a dog’s way of doing things and making that part of our lives.

CMI:When you’re not volunteering as an ambassador, what do you do?

LB: My career path of mending and cultivating human - animal relationships is what I do, every day. Consequently, Cesar’s philosophy is so integrated into my personal life that I am always an ambassador. What I’ve discovered is that people want to be educated. They want to save lives. They want to know. And, I’m here to help.

CMI: Anything else you’d like to add?

LB: I believe that men and women with vision are never satisfied. My hope is that Cesar will not lose his vision until every dog has the opportunity to live a full and balanced life. I know I will continue to do the same.