Examine individual changes

'{{multiple issues| {{Like resume|date=March 2011}} {{BLP sources|date=December 2013}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}} {{Infobox person |name = Victoria Stilwell |image = Victoria Stilwell Headshot.gif |image_size = 175px |caption = |birth_name = |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1969|07|20}} |birth_place = [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]], [[London]], England, UK |death_date = |death_place = |death_cause = |resting_place = |resting_place_coordinates = |residence = [[Atlanta, Georgia]]<br>[[Notting Hill, London]] |nationality = British |known_for = ''[[It's Me or the Dog]]''<br>''[[Greatest American Dog]]'' |employer = [[Animal Planet]], [[Channel 4]], [[CBS]] |years_active = 1995–present |occupation = [[Dog training|Dog trainer]], [[television presenter]], author, actress |spouse = Van Zeiler |children = 1 |website = {{URL|positively.com}} |height = {{height|ft=5|in=7}} }} '''Victoria Stilwell''' (born 20 July 1969) is an English [[dog trainer]], author and [[television presenter]]. Stilwell served as a judge on the CBS show ''[[Greatest American Dog]]'' and presented the [[Animal Planet]] dog training TV show ''[[It's Me or the Dog]]'', counselling families with problem pets and solving their dogs' behaviour problems. ==Background== Stilwell originally trained as an actress, playing roles in ''[[Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992 film)|Bram Stoker's Dracula]]'' in 1992, [[ITV1]]'s ''[[The Bill]]'' in 1994, and onstage in London's West End theatre, as well as several commercials and voiceovers. She received a BA honours degree in Theatre from [[Middlesex University]].<ref>http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:-I8v1k53hPQJ:www.playbill.com/news/article/107375-Its-Me-or-the-Dog-Featuring-Actress-Dog-Trainer-Stilwell-Makes-US-TV-Debut+Victoria+Stilwell+%22middlesex+university%22&cd=3&hl=ru&ct=clnk&gl=ua</ref> In order to supplement her income as an actress, Stilwell's veterinary nurse sister suggested that she start a dog walking agency. Within a month she was walking 20 dogs per day – 10 in the morning, 10 in the afternoon – and immediately recognised the need for qualified professionals to help her clients with the training process. She then expanded her focus to dog training and after moving to the United States with her husband in 1999, Stilwell co-founded several dog training companies up and down the East Coast. Victoria Stilwell is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo awesome 👏. 🦖🐗🐺🐩🐩🐩🐩🐩🐩🐩🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 ==Dog trainer== Stilwell has become an advocate of positive dog training. Stilwell rejects dominance-based, traditional training techniques, instead, promoting positive reinforcement techniques. In 2010, Stilwell created Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training – a global network of positive reinforcement dog trainers dedicated to spreading the word about positive reinforcement techniques and behaviourists. Stilwell is currently certified by the Animal Behaviour and Training Associates, and is a longtime member of the US Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT).<ref>{{cite web|title=Association of Professional Dog Trainers - Victoria Stilwell|url=http://apdt.com/conf/speakers/bio_stilwell.aspx|accessdate=20 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603105206/http://www.apdt.com/conf/speakers/bio_stilwell.aspx|archive-date=3 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Charity== Stilwell created the Victoria Stilwell Foundation, whose mission is "to provide financial support and canine behaviour expertise to assistance dog organisations and small animal rescue shelters while promoting the concept of reward-based, positive reinforcement dog training philosophies in organisations and households throughout the United States."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://positively.com/foundation/mission-inspiration|title=Mission & Inspiration - Victoria Stilwell Positively|website=positively.com|accessdate=27 July 2018}}</ref> With a particular fondness for rescue animals in need of behavior rehabilitation, Stilwell devotes much of her time and energy to a number of animal rescue organizations around the world, serving as a behavior adviser for shelters in Atlanta, New York, the UK and Hong Kong while giving regular seminars on the subject of dog rescue, training and rehabilitation. She has been involved in animal welfare and protection organizations on a national (U.S.) stage, including serving as an Advisory Board Member of RedRover<ref>{{cite web|title=Victoria Joins RedRover|url=http://positively.com/2011/07/01/victoria-joins-redrover-formerly-united-animal-nations/|accessdate=20 February 2014}}</ref> and a National Ambassador for [[American Humane]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Animal Planet’s ‘It's Me or the Dog’ Star Victoria Stilwell Is Named an American Humane Association National Ambassador|url=http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/animal-planets-its-me-or.html|accessdate=20 February 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140220203757/http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/animal-planets-its-me-or.html|archive-date=20 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> She worked as a volunteer adoption counselor for the [[ASPCA]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://positively.com/victorias-blog/911-a-look-back/|title=9/11: A Look Back {{!}} Victoria Stilwell Positively|website=positively.com|access-date=26 January 2018}}</ref> She has been featured in numerous magazines and journals including ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/13/fashion/13pet.html?_r=1&scp=6&sq=victoria+stilwell&st=nyt|title=Who Invited the Dog?|first=Joyce Wadler and Abby|last=Aguirre|accessdate=27 July 2018}}</ref> ''[[USA Today]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/pets/2009-08-12-stilwell-dog-chains_N.htm|title=Chaining dogs unleashes bad behavior |website=USA Today|accessdate=27 July 2018}}</ref> ''[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]]'', the ''[[Daily Mail]]'', [[MSNBC.com]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35522352/ns/health-pet_health/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224091012/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35522352/ns/health-pet_health/|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 February 2010|title=MSN - Outlook, Office, Skype, Bing, Breaking News, and Latest Videos|publisher=MSNBC|accessdate=27 July 2018}}</ref> and ''[[Psychology Today]]''. Stilwell is a regular columnist for ''[http://thebark.com The Bark]'', ''[[Dog World]]'', ''American Dog'' and ''[[Dogs Today]]'' magazines, and she has appeared on numerous talk shows, news broadcasts and radio shows in the US, Europe and Asia as a dog training expert. ==TV programmes== ===''It's Me or the Dog''=== From 2005 to 2008, Stilwell worked with unruly dogs on her TV show, ''[[It's Me or the Dog]]'', which aired in over forty countries. The show features Stilwell as she counsels families with problem pets and uses positive reinforcement training techniques to help them learn how to correct their dogs' behaviour. Originally produced for [[Channel 4]] in the UK, the show premiered in the US on [[Animal Planet]] in April 2007, and over 90 episodes have been aired worldwide. A typical episode involves a family struggling to cope with their misbehaving dog(s). Stilwell initially observes the problems [[in situ]], then presents the family with her opinion regarding the causes of the issues. She then works with the family and their dogs to restore balance. ===''Greatest American Dog''=== Stilwell was one of three judges on the [[CBS]] show ''[[Greatest American Dog]]'', in which 12 dog-owner teams compete for the title 'Greatest American Dog' and a $250,000 prize. The series debuted on CBS 10 July 2008. ==Podcast== Stilwell created a podcast called ''Victoria Stilwell Positively'',<ref>{{cite web|title=Victoria Stilwell Positively|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/victoria-stilwell-positively/id376674442?mt=2|accessdate=20 February 2014}}</ref> available on iTunes and other places of podcast purchase. ==Awards== Stilwell was honoured with the prestigious "Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award" at the 2011 Global Pet Expo<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebAPPA-PIDA/Victoria-Stilwell/prweb8158250.htm|title=Victoria Stilwell to be Honored at Global Pet Expo 2011|accessdate=27 July 2018}}</ref> and was named 'Dog Trainer of the Year' by DogWorld Magazine at the 55th Annual Purina Pro Plan Show Dogs of the Year Awards Presented By Dogs in Review.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/victoria-stilwell-named-2009-trainer-of-the-year-84233392.html|title=Victoria Stilwell named 2009 Dog Trainer of the Year – PR Newswire|accessdate=27 July 2018}}</ref> She was named among 2009's '100 Best & Brightest' in the dog world in ''The Bark'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://positively.com/files/Bark-2010-BestBrightest.pdf|title=Bark's 100: the Best and Brightest – The Bark|accessdate=27 July 2018}}</ref> Stilwell won a 2009 CableFax award as Best Host in the Animals & Nature category. In 2009, ''It's Me or the Dog'' was nominated for a [[People's Choice Award]] in the US, and after its first season in the UK, ''It's Me or the Dog'' was nominated in the 'Best Factual Entertainment' category in the UK's [[TV Quick]] Awards. Her first book, ''It's Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet'' was voted one of the 50 greatest dog books ever written by ''[[Dogs Today]]'' magazine. ==Campaigns== She advocates animal rescue and supports ''Paws Atlanta'', "Atlanta Pet Rescue", ''Stray from the Heart (NYC)'', ''Hong Kong Dog Rescue'' and ''Greyhound Rescue West of England (www.grwe.com)'', ''Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project'', the ''Waterside Action Group'', ''Deed Not Breed'' (campaigning to re-write the UK's [[Dangerous Dogs Act]] to remove breed-specific legislation) as well as ''Vets Get Scanning'', promoting mandatory pet micro-chipping and scanning by vets. Stilwell is a critic of [[fox hunting]] and was among more than 20 high-profile people who signed a letter to Members of Parliament in 2015 to oppose [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] prime minister [[David Cameron]]'s plan to amend the [[Hunting Act 2004]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/news/1324609-snp-to-vote-against-tories-on-fox-hunting-ban-in-england-and-wales/ |title=SNP to vote against Tories on fox hunting ban in England and Wales |publisher=STV |date=13 July 2015 |accessdate=17 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715203740/http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/news/1324609-snp-to-vote-against-tories-on-fox-hunting-ban-in-england-and-wales/ |archivedate=15 July 2015 }}</ref> ==Personal life== Stilwell met her actor husband, Van Zeiler, while starring opposite him in the West End production of ''[[Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story]]''. The couple and their daughter live in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/film_and_tv/s/1010/1010822_victoria_misses_england.html|title=Victoria misses England|first=Manchester Evening|last=News|date=19 April 2010|accessdate=27 July 2018}}</ref> After many years without a pet dog of her own (due to work commitments), Stilwell adopted a rescued chocolate [[Labrador Retriever|Labrador]] named Sadie. In early 2011, Stilwell fostered a Chihuahua/Miniature Pinscher mix named Jasmine and decided to adopt her in late February/early March 2011. Prior to that, she had spent her time since 2000 fostering dogs due to be [[Animal euthanasia|euthanised]] by local municipal shelters. Stilwell and her husband then gave the dogs a home while rehabilitating them and eventually finding suitable homes for the animals. She has explained that, until recently, owning a dog would have been irresponsible and not fair to the dog, considering how much the whole family travels. The couple has re-homed over 50 dogs and cats.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.k9magazine.com/k9insider/exclusive-content/victoria-stilwell-its-me-or-the-dog.html |title=It's Me or The Dog – The Victoria Stilwell Interview for K9 Magazine |access-date=13 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070417225504/http://www.k9magazine.com/k9insider/exclusive-content/victoria-stilwell-its-me-or-the-dog.html |archive-date=17 April 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ==Bibliography== *''Train Your Dog Positively: Understand Your Dog and Solve Common Behaviour Problems Including Separation Anxiety, Excessive Barking, Aggression, Housetraining, Leash Pulling, and More!'' (2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Train-Your-Positively-Housetraining-ebook/dp/B009FL09WE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382064404&sr=1-1&keywords=victoria+stilwell|title=Train Your Dog Positively: Understand Your Dog and Solve Common Behavior Problems Including Separation Anxiety, Excessive Barking, Aggression, Housetraining, Leash Pulling, and More!|date=19 March 2013|publisher=Ten Speed Press|accessdate=27 July 2018|via=Amazon.com}}</ref> *''Fat Dog Slim: How to Have a Healthy, Happy Pet'' (2007) *''It's Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet'' (2005) ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.positively.com/}} *[http://animal.discovery.com/tv/its-me-or-dog/ Animal Planet Website] *[http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/pets-animals/stories/is-your-dog-fat-chances-are-you-are-too Victoria Stilwell on the Mother Nature Network] *{{IMDb name|2058528|Victoria Stilwell}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Stilwell, Victoria}} [[Category:1969 births]] [[Category:Alumni of Middlesex University]] [[Category:Animal care and training writers]] [[Category:Dog judges]] [[Category:Dog trainers]] [[Category:English podcasters]] [[Category:English expatriates in the United States]] [[Category:English television presenters]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Wimbledon, London]]'