The Education of Will: A Mutual Memoir of a Woman and Her Dog

Written by Patricia B. McConnell

Narrated by Ellen Archer

Bestselling author and internationally renowned animal psychologist and dog trainer Patricia McConnell “gives a voice to those who can’t speak in words and provides hope for fearful animals everywhere” (Temple Grandin) in this powerful and uplifting memoir about healing.

World-renowned as a source of science and soul, Patricia McConnell combines brilliant insights into canine behavior with heartwarming stories of her own dogs and their life on the farm. Now, she reveals that it wasn’t just the dogs who had serious problems. For decades Dr. McConnell secretly grappled with her own guilt and fear, which were rooted in the harrowing traumas of her youth.

Patricia is forced to face her past by her love for a young Border Collie named Will, whose frequent, unpredictable outbreaks of fear and fury shake Patricia to her core. In order to save Will from this dangerous behavior, she must find her own will to heal, and along the way learn that will power by itself is not enough.

Interweaving enlightening stories of her clients’ dogs with tales of her deepening bond with Will, this is a “compassionate account of the reclamation of the author's life from abuse and shame. An uplifting story of hope about how both dogs and humans need "a sense that they are not helpless victims" (Kirkus Reviews).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Feb 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781508234166

Patricia B. McConnell

Patricia McConnell, PhD, CAAB is an Ethologist and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist who has consulted with cat and dog lovers for over twenty years. Her nationally syndicated radio show, Calling All Pets, has played in more than 110 cities for fourteen years. She is the behavior columnist for The Bark magazine and a Consulting Editor for the Journal of Comparative Psychology. She has retired from her position as Adjunct Associate Professor in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is the author of ten books on training and behavioral problems, as well as the critically acclaimed books, The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs, For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend, and Tales of Two Species.

Reviews for The Education of Will

[Greer Deneen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The author describes herself as a skittish and fearful, but this book is an act of great bravery and grace. I suspect that almost any woman will recognize her own traumas and fears in these words, and take comfort in hearing that a path can be built, one arduous step at a time, from shame and silence to triumphant openness and powerful vulnerability.

[Kim Yates · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A simply beautiful story of life, love and forgiveness. Excellent!

[April Frye · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I always enjoy Patricia McConnell's take on animal behavior and how she describes her cases and how she helps give a voice to dogs. I admire her courage in being able to share her own trauma, and in doing so was able to heal herself, while still helping Willie's healing and progress with his fears and behavior.