Contributor

Sophia Yin

Veterinarian, applied animal behaviorist

Dr. Sophia Yin was a veterinarian, applied animal behavior consultant, publisher, and freelance writer. She was the author of two textbooks -- Low Stress Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs and Cats and The Small Animal Veterinary Nerdbook®, a bestselling textbook for veterinarians -- as well as a book for dog owners, How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves.

She earned her master's in animal science in 2001 from UC Davis, where she studied vocal communication in dogs and worked on behavior modification in horses, giraffes, ostriches, and chickens. During this time she was also the award-winning pet columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. Upon receiving her degree focused on animal behavior, Dr. Yin served for five years as a lecturer in the UC Davis Animal Science Department. She taught three upper-division undergraduate courses in domestic animal behavior and supervised students in various animal training and behavior research projects. She also developed the MannersMinder positive reinforcement dog training system.

Dr. Yin saw behavior housecalls, worked at San Francisco Veterinary Specialists (www.SFVS.net), wrote for several veterinary and popular magazines, consulted for the Santa Barbara Zoo, and lectured internationally on animal behavior. She was also on the executive board for the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.

Dr. Yin died September 28, 2014.

Her website and blog can still be found at DrSophiaYin.com.