Meet our Trainers

Shelter Dog Behavioral Training

Joanne Lincoln :  Manager, Behavior Department and Volunteer Services

Joanne Lincoln is a certified  professional dog trainer - knowledged assessed and animal behavior specialist with more than 14 years of shelter dog experience. She has worked in the shelter system in a variety of positions over the years to develop a shelter dog training program.  That program utilizes volunteers to promote enrichment and training to shelter animals, increasing their emotional longevity and adoptability.  Joanne, together with Audrey Tucker of Pet Education and Therapy, has co-authored a shelter assessment and re-homing program which is currently in use in several Connecticut shelters.

Joanne has owned Begian Malinois, Labradoodles, Chihuahuas, and Cattle dogs though she is known primarily for her work with Bully Breeds and promoting breed education. Joanne has successfully placed shelter dogs with several Police Department's, Search and Rescue handlers, and donated Vern, the first certified Search and Rescue dog to the country of Turkey.  Vern just happens to be an American Staffordshire Terrier and a shelter dog.  

Joanne's knowledge, instinct, and experience with dogs is well known throughout the area.  The Simon Foundation is extremely fortunate to have Joanne as part of our team.  Together with her American Staffordshire Terrier Bam Bam, Joanne is helping to rehabilitate and modify the behavior of Simon Foundation shelter dogs so each and every one has an opportunity to find a forever home.  For those that don't, Joanne provides enrichment activities and behavioral training so they can happily live out their lives at our shelter.