Dr. Leah Nettle earned her PhD. in Biology from SUNY Binghamton University focusing on animal behavior, ecology and evolution. She studied the vocal communication of American Crows deciphering the contexts and functions of two crow calls.

Prior to Binghamton University, Dr. Nettle worked in a companion animal veterinary clinic as a veterinary assistant. From 2014 until 2018, she worked with and learned from Dr. Amy Marder, CAAB, a leading expert in the fields of animal shelter and companion animal behavior, attending to a variety of cat and dog behavior problems at appointments in the clients’ homes and in an office setting. She has also taught college-level classes on animal behavior, evolution and introductory biology.
Dr. Nettle and Dr. Marder currently co-teach online courses on shelter animal behavior for the University of Florida and lecture together internationally on the subject.

Dr. Nettle is a certified Family Dog Mediator (FDM), having completed the L.E.G.S. Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation course. FDM’s help bridge the gap between understanding the science behind your dog's behavior and how to live with them using practical solutions.

Dr. Nettle is also a licensed Family Paws Parent Educator with expertise on incorporating the family dog in preparing families for a new baby, and then for toddlerhood. She is a certified dog parkour instructor with the International Dog Parkour Association. Additionally, she is a certified AKC CGC and Trick Dog evaluator. She is ultimately working towards becoming a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist through the Animal Behavior Society.

As The Pet Professor, Dr. Nettle also sees appointments and teaches classes for dogs and cats with behavior problems in Western New York.

Dr. Nettle is excited to utilize her years of education and experience in animal behavior and to continue working with the dogs and cats (and most importantly, humans) of Erie and Niagara counties! In her free time, Dr. Nettle loves yoga, gardening, hiking and spending time with her human and pet family.