My Story
My journey has been fueled by a passion to be there for people and pets as they navigate challenges effectively. It was a unique educational path, blending nursing, business, and behavior, plus a profound love of dogs, that sparked my interest in understanding the science of animal learning. (For more on my certifications and credentials, click here.)
Hello, inquisitive pet parents! My name is Joan Hunter Mayer and I am the founder of The Inquisitive Canine. For more than two decades, I have had the privilege of working with dogs of all ages and the people who love them, guided by a deep respect for the human–canine bond.
I founded my Santa Barbara–based practice in 2005 with the intention of offering humane, evidence-based, and thoughtful support for both dogs and their people. While training dogs has always been a joy, it quickly became clear that this work is just as much about people — after all, dogs don’t call me, their people do. That realization shaped how I see my role and led me to think of myself as a human–canine relationship coach.
My background in nursing, combined with a lifelong curiosity about learning and behavior, strongly influenced my professional path. That foundation inspired me to pursue extensive, formal education in dog training and behavior and to continually deepen my understanding of the science behind how animals learn. I have invested deeply in evidence-based programs, continuing education, and professional certifications, shaping a practice rooted in curiosity, ethics, and care.
As my career evolved, so did my understanding of the depth of the human–animal bond, particularly when people were facing the impending loss or death of a beloved companion. Supporting individuals through anticipatory grief, pet loss, and life after loss is work I hold with great care and humility. As a certified grief educator and pet loss grief specialist, I bring presence, compassion, and respect to these tender experiences.
I am a certified dog trainer and professional canine behavior consultant with extensive formal training and evidence-based certifications. In addition, I hold an MBA, am a credentialed professional coach through the International Coaching Federation, and maintain my nursing licensure through the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Together, these experiences inform a grounded, ethical, and non-judgmental way of being with people and their animals.
I believe that strong relationships, guided by respect and understanding, can transform the way people and dogs live, learn, and love together.
The relationship between humans and dogs is built on communication, trust, and a willingness to learn from one another. At The Inquisitive Canine, curiosity becomes a guiding principle — an invitation to look beyond behavior and explore what motivates our dogs, how they learn, and what they may be trying to tell us. When we approach dogs with curiosity instead of frustration, relationships flourish.
This team spirit also extends to supporting fellow pet professionals, including dog trainers, dog walkers, and pet sitters, and offering them business coaching services. Together, as individuals and an entire industry, we can drive a cultural shift to make the world a friendlier place for all inquisitive canines.
About My Own Inspirational Inquisitive Canines… for the love of dogs!
Poncho Gonzales Hunter Mayer, 6/15/2003 - 7/25/2015, Eternally Loved
The original Inquisitive Canine, Poncho is the one who inspired me to become a dog trainer. He was a ten-pound mutt who knew a lot about human and canine behavior. He adopted us on Father’s Day, June 15, 2003, and continued to prove we were the perfect match until he left the Earth in July of 2015.
Poncho enjoyed spending his days co-writing blog posts, helping me practice dog training skills, assisting in dog training classes, running security, answering emails, alerting when the mail or packages were delivered, food tasting, product testing for various dog training and enrichment toys, lap warming duties, and reminding me when to take a break and get some sunshine.
Inspiring other inquisitive canines and their humans, as well as his own family, Poncho’s legacy lives on, and his light continues to shine on every aspect of The Inquisitive Canine.
Ringo Starr Hunter Mayer, 1/14/2017 — 11/3/2024, Forever in Our Hearts and Souls
In January of 2017, Ringo Starr Hunter Mayer made his way from the streets of Los Angeles to his new home and office in sunny Santa Barbara, California (with help from the kind and caring folks of the L.A. County shelter, animal advocacy group Ken-Mar Rescue, and Petfinder).
Ringo loved to learn! Being a smart, tenacious, and lively inquisitive canine, Ringo adapted quickly to his new role as both family member and CCO — that’s Chief Canine Officer.
Following in the tiny – and at the same time huge – paw prints of Poncho, the original Inquisitive Canine, Ringo worked tirelessly with me. Whether collaborating on the Doggy Blog posts, composing updates and tweets, or working on new behaviors and tricks, he was always the first one in the office and last to leave. He led me to certifications in Separation Anxiety Training, K9 Nose Work®, and ultimately, sadly, through navigating traumatic loss and grief.
Today, Ringo’s legacy inspires me to continue to have a growth and learning mindset and to nurture the bonds people have with their pets.
About the IC Dream Team…
Pam Shultz
Pam Shultz is a pet welfare advocate, freelance copy editor, copywriter, and DVM. In 2010, she launched Promoting Animal Wellness, LLC to help provide reliable online resources for pet lovers. Forever grateful to all of the animal teachers who have taught her how to better advocate for their well-being, Pam currently serves on the Steering Committee of the Pet Professional Guild, a nonprofit organization representing pet industry professionals who are committed to results based, science based, force-free training and pet care.
Jasha Stanberry
Jasha is a multi-disciplinary creator that offers an array of diverse professional services for his clients. His company, Studio Luminous is a design, fabrication and creative solutions studio located in the small beach town of Carpinteria California. Pulling from his background in construction as a master electrician, as well as his roles as gaffer, grip and others in the film industry, he brings his love of precision, beauty and design to all that he does. From websites to photography as well as welding and print making, Studio Luminous offers out of the ordinary solutions for his clients creative needs.
Follow this link to contact Jasha.