Bio

Rick Hairston co-founded Carolina Canines in December of 1996 after having volunteered for an internationally recognized service dog organization in St. Louis, Missouri for several years. He has supervised and/or trained 65 service dogs, has numerous service dogs in training, and has registered over 200 Animal Assisted Therapy Teams. He has trained over 500 individuals and their pets in basic and intermediate obedience and has facilitated several local High School programs for teens at risk since 2001. Rick has received the Duke University Continuing Studies Non-Profit Management Certificate.

Rick is involved in many aspects of dog training. He holds certification and memberships in the following:

• Certified dog obedience instructor
• An American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
• Certified R.E.A.D.® instructor (Reading Education Assistance Dogs a program of Intermountain Therapy Animals)
• Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers
• Member of International Association of Canine Professionals

Speaking Topics

• Marketing 101
• The ROI of Smart Public Relations
• Marketing in a Slow Economy
• Crisis Management
• Reputation Management
• Communications Audit
• Super Bowl Advertising – Worth It or Do You Want a Quarter Back?
• Social Media 101
• How to Shop Smart for SEO to Drive Traffic to Your Website
• Blogging 101
• Social Networks 101
• Personal Branding

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

• Rotary Club Cape Fear 8/28

Past Speaking Engagements

• Rotary Club East 8/3/2009
• Rotary Club Downtown 8/4/2009