At the Main Campus of the School for Dog Trainers, Class 83 is currently preparing to wrap up its Master Dog Trainer studies. As this group moves into week 24 of 24 – with graduation rapidly approaching – students and staff alike can reflect on six months of hard work and life-changing experiences that will shape our graduates’ future in the dog training industry. The Master Dog Trainer program provides best-in-class canine education, offering a mixture of hands-on training and learning theory.
If the journey for one group of Master Dog Trainer program students is about to reach its conclusion, then for others, it is about to begin. Our next class – Class 88 – commences in a couple of weeks, with a new intake of students arriving in North Carolina.
One of the students preparing for life as a Master Dog Trainer student will be traveling far further than many of her classmates – Rana Soliman from Egypt. Rana is the latest winner of our International Scholarship. This prestigious award enables the recipient to attend our Master Dog Trainer program, where students learn about all aspects of dog training, including canine behavior, service dog training, working dog training, and more. This opportunity has been offered since 2019 – Rana is following in the footsteps of several previous recipients, and you can learn more about them below:
- Basilio Delfinin (2019)
- Christine Ho (2021)
- Mallie Welch (2022)
- Alexa Salley (2023)
- Megan Johnson (2024)
Ahead of her arrival in North Carolina for her Master Dog Trainer studies, we caught up with Rana for a Q&A session to learn more about the culture surrounding dogs in Egypt; what led her to apply for the Scholarship; what she is looking forward to about the course; and her aspirations after graduation.
(Interested in applying for our International Scholarship? Read to the bottom of this article for more details!)
Congratulations on being awarded the Scholarship, Rana! Can you sum up your feelings when you found out about the award?
Thank you! Honestly, I know it’s been months but I’m still kind of reeling from the news. This was my second time applying. I applied in 2023 and was really disappointed when I learned I hadn’t been accepted. So, when ‘24 rolled around, I completed my application and actually hesitated quite a bit before hitting submit just because I was so convinced I was setting myself up for disappointment once more. When I got the acceptance email, I honestly could not believe it. I was actually in a remote area at the time and had a very bad signal, and I refused to allow myself to get excited until I was able to load up Facebook to see if an announcement was posted and hear the winner’s name with my own two ears.
The page finally loaded and lo and behold, there she was; the winner from last year announcing my name loud and clear. I was with one of my best friends at the time, she’d known how important this scholarship was to me and how I was supposed to find out that day whether or not I’d been accepted. As soon as I saw that post and heard my name, I just turned to her so quickly with the biggest smile on my face and tears in my eyes and she just smiled so wide and said, “Oh my god, you got it?? You got it, didn’t you!!”
And that was it. I was so genuinely scared of getting my hopes up that I just did not prepare for a scenario where I could possibly win. Even when I informed my parents that I was going to apply, I just said, “You guys remember that scholarship from last year? Yeah, I’m gonna try applying again. Doubt I’ll get in but might as well shoot my shot”. And I just said it so deadpan and devoid of emotion that when I actually did end up getting accepted, we were all like… now what? We simply had not prepared for this. Even now, it still doesn’t seem real. I can’t wrap my mind around how I’m actually getting my chance to learn the thing that’s been my absolute dream for the past five years.
Every nation has its own culture when it comes to dog ownership and dog training. Could you paint a picture of Egypt for our readers (popular types of dog breeds owned; if formal dog training is common; where dogs fit into the family hierarchy; etc.)?
Unfortunately, I can’t promise I’ll be able to paint you the prettiest picture when it comes to dogs/general animal welfare in Egypt. Let me take it question by question:
– Dog Ownership – Owning a dog in Egypt can mean very different things depending on who you ask. In some families, dogs are pampered like babies: sleeping in their owner’s beds, having their own Instagram pages, getting showered with treats 24/7, etc. In others, dogs are strictly for guarding the house or farm and are rarely seen as pets in the way most Western cultures do. A big part of this comes from cultural and religious perspectives. Some interpretations of Islam consider dogs impure, which has led to a long-standing hesitation toward having them as house pets. But times are changing, and younger generations, especially in cities, are much more open to the idea of dogs as being part of the family.
That being said, there’s definitely a lack of awareness when it comes to proper care and handling. It’s very common in Egypt for people to buy dogs and then dump them when they get bored or tired of the responsibility. Those who don’t throw them away usually just keep them chained outside, no matter the weather or breed. You find a lot of Huskies chained out in the piping hot Egyptian summer, or tiny Griffons shivering in the bitter cold winters. Of course, there are a lot of people who love and properly care for their dogs, they’re just not the majority unfortunately.
– Dog Training – Is it Common? – There are a lot of dog training facilities/dog trainers, but the majority of the ones I’ve seen use mostly outdated training methods such as negative reinforcement rather than positive training, and that’s just when it comes to very basic behavior modification. I also wouldn’t say it’s common per se, most people either don’t train their dogs at all or opt for training them the basics themselves (sit, stay, etc.) rather than turning to a formal trainer. Guard dog training, though? That’s everywhere. People love training their German Shepherds and Rottweilers to be aggressive and intimidating, but when it comes to things like obedience, behavioral training, or (God forbid) service dog training, there’s almost nothing available.
– Most Common Dog Breeds – The most common dog breed in Egypt is the Baladi dog. Baladis are Egypt’s native landrace of free-breeding, mixed-ancestry street dogs. Having roamed the streets of Egypt for centuries, Baladis are believed to have descended from the lean hunting hounds and companion dogs of Pharaonic and Predynastic times. Though the most common, they are unfortunately the lowest regarded. With over 30 million stray dogs roaming the streets of Egypt, they are more regarded as pests rather than the intelligent, loving creatures they are. As for most common breeds as pets, I’d say it’s your usual: Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Labradors, Griffons, Huskies, etc. Here’s the sad part, though: breeding in Egypt is completely unregulated, so a lot of these dogs either end up on the streets or with tons of health problems due to irresponsible breeding.
– What Dog Culture Looks Like in Egypt – Picture this: you’re walking through the streets of Egypt. On one street, you’ll see a pack of stray Baladi dogs navigating the city like pros, darting between cars and somehow knowing exactly how to survive. Then, in more upper-class areas, you’ll see someone with their well-groomed Husky (again, very questionable choice of breed in this heat) walking down the street. Go to the countryside, and you’ll find dogs mostly being used for protection, usually tied up outside or patrolling farms at night. It’s really just a completely different experience depending on where you are.
– Dogs in the Family Hierarchy – This one’s interesting because it really depends on the household. Again, some families treat their dogs like royalty, while others see them as strictly outdoor animals that serve a purpose but don’t belong inside. Then there are the strays, the Baladis, who have it the hardest. Street dogs face a lot of cruelty; whether it’s abuse, poisoning, or government culling campaigns. Despite all this, though, there’s been a noticeable shift in how people view dogs, with more rescue efforts and awareness campaigns popping up.
– The Big Picture – Egypt’s relationship with dogs is definitely evolving. Social media and exposure to global pet culture is slowly changing how people see dogs, especially among the younger generations. There’s still a long way to go, especially when it comes to education on responsible ownership, ethical breeding, and proper training, but progress is happening. Hopefully, with time, more people will see dogs not just as guards or status symbols but as loyal companions who deserve care, respect, and a real place in our society. And maybe, one day, the idea of service dogs (once unheard of here) will start to become normalized, offering life-changing support to those who need it most.
How did you find out about the International Scholarship, and what motivated you to apply?
I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember; literally since I could walk. But dogs? Dogs have always had my heart. Growing up in Egypt, I was always super interested in animal welfare, especially since I saw firsthand how little awareness there was when it came to properly caring for them and showing them empathy. Even as a kid, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew one thing with utmost certainty: whatever it was, it was going to have something to do with animals.
At first, I figured maybe I’d open a shelter one day. But as I grew older and visited more shelters, I truly saw how much shelters struggle just to keep their doors open and I realized that just wasn’t the answer. They rely so heavily on donations, and I wanted to do something that could be more self-sustaining and wouldn’t constantly be under threat of shutting down.
For a while, I was feeling lost and didn’t really know what my purpose was. Then, in my third year of university, I took a random Social Entrepreneurship class as an elective, and it ended up changing my life. On the very first day, the professor told us we’d have to create a business model for a social enterprise as our final project, and right away, I knew mine would have something to do with animals.
So I started researching. And researching. And researching. And that’s when I stumbled upon service dogs. I’d always seen guide dogs in movies, but that was pretty much it. I had no idea dogs could be trained for so many different things: helping people with mobility issues, alerting to seizures or diabetes, assisting with PTSD, and a world’s more. The more I read, the more I realized something: Egypt has millions of stray dogs and millions of people with disabilities, yet the two worlds have never crossed paths. There’s no infrastructure for service dogs here, no trainers, no programs, no nothing. That was the moment I felt an actual lightbulb going off in my head. I wasn’t just looking at a class project anymore, I was looking at the blueprint for exactly what I wanted to do with my life.
Here’s the thing though, I don’t just want to help people in my community. Even in countries where service dogs do exist, they are known to be quite expensive. Some people can spend years on a waitlist and still not get the help they need in the end. I believe that with Egypt’s abundant resource of stray dogs, paired with our affordable labor, we can offer a solution that is not just local, but worldwide: to anyone who needs it.
Anyways, fast forward a couple of years, and here I am. I graduated, built up some business experience, worked at a social enterprise to gain even more relevant experience, and finally decided it was time to start making this dream a reality. That’s when I started searching for service dog training programs, and honestly? Most of them were either way too short to actually teach me anything or ridiculously expensive, or both. Then I found Highland Canine Training’s School for Dog Trainers, and it checked every single box. It covers service dog training, behavior modification, obedience work, and even the business side of things; basically everything I need to take this idea and turn it into something real.
And then, to top it all off, I saw that they offered an international scholarship. That was a huge deal because, without it, there’s no way I’d be able to afford to attend, not just Highland’s program, but all the service dog training programs I could find. This is actually my second time applying, which should tell you how badly I wanted this. My commitment to making this happen has only deepened over time, and I just refused to let financial barriers be the reason I didn’t pursue it.
Aside from that, though, this scholarship was honestly such a good indicator for me about Highland and their values because it gave me the impression that they’re not just about making money. The fact that they offer a full, all-expenses-paid scholarship, specifically for international students, goes to show how much they truly care about spreading this knowledge to all corners of the world.
So yeah, long story short: my motivation? It’s simple: I genuinely believe this program is the missing piece that will allow me to create positive change by introducing service dogs to Egypt; and hopefully, one day, way beyond that.
Is there a particular section of the Master Dog Trainer program you are looking forward to?
Would it be too cliché if I said all of it? If we were to talk specifics, I’m definitely most excited about the service dog portion (if you couldn’t already tell). It’s honestly the whole reason I started down this path to begin with, and I can’t wait to learn the actual process of training a dog to assist someone in need and help them gain (back) their independence.
I’m also really interested in behavior modification. A huge part of my goal is to work with rescue dogs (many of whom have probably had rough pasts) so being able to understand them, their fears and their anxieties, what makes them tick, what gets them excited, just learning how to build that trust between us, I truly feel like that’s going to be a life-changing experience.
And, of course, finally, the business side of things. It’s one thing to know how to train dogs, but learning how to actually build a sustainable service dog training program? That’s what will make it possible for me to actually turn this dream into a reality.
Do you have any prior experience training dogs? If so, can you tell us a little about that experience; if not, what inspired or motivated you to become a dog trainer?
Nope, no experience whatsoever (as in I’ll actually be learning how to teach a puppy “sit” for the first time), but that’s part of what makes this journey so exciting for me. I feel like a lot of people who get into dog training grew up with dogs, but again, I never really had that luxury, so I’ve just had to compensate and try and fill that hole with any dog I could find to say hi to.
For years, I’ve been involved in animal welfare here in Egypt; volunteering at shelters, and helping care for a pack of stray dogs in a public garden near my home. That’s where I really started paying attention to canine behavior: seeing how the pack dynamic worked, how they communicated, how they reacted to different people and situations. And while I haven’t officially trained dogs, I’ve spent a lot of time earning the trust of street dogs and just observing the way they think and learn.
What inspired me to actually become a trainer, though, was when I discovered service dogs. That was my turning point. I was already passionate about animal welfare, and I wanted to find a way to help both dogs and people in a meaningful, sustainable way. When I realized there was a way to do both of those things at the same time, as well as just how life-changing service dogs can be and the lack of awareness about them, I knew this was exactly what I wanted to do.
So while I might not have hands-on training experience (yet), I have all the passion, determination, and willingness to learn. That’s why I’m here.
Can you tell our readers about your future career plans after you graduate from the School?
After graduating from Highland, my goal is to launch Egypt’s first-ever service dog training program, with a special focus on training rescue dogs to assist people with disabilities. The way I see it, Egypt has two major untapped resources: millions of rescue dogs in shelters and on the streets, and millions of people with disabilities who could benefit from those service dogs. Yet, for some reason, no one has ever thought to put two and two together. That’s where I come in.
I initially considered rescuing dogs straight from the streets, but after looking deeper into it, I realized that a much more effective and sustainable approach would be to adopt rescue and rehabilitated dogs directly from shelters. That way, it does three things: it gives these dogs a real shot at a purposeful life, it eases the burden on overcrowded shelters so they can help rescue even more dogs, and it brings down the cost of service dogs, making them more accessible to the PWDs who need them (anywhere).
One thing I’ve thought a lot about is how to tackle the stigma around Baladi dogs. There’s a deep-rooted bias in Egypt that makes people see them as “less than” compared to more conventional breeds. While my goal is to change that perception, I also understand that it’s a process. That’s why offering other breeds (like Goldens, etc.) who have been abandoned to shelters is part of my strategy; so even those who prefer a more “traditional” service dog breed can still adopt a rescue. At the end of the day, my mission is simple: show people that a dog’s worth isn’t defined by breed or origin, but by the absolute value they can add to someone’s life.
Again, my long-term vision is to make trained service dogs more affordable/accessible, not just in Egypt, but for people all over the world.
Please feel free to add any additional information on your thoughts about the Scholarship - what you hope to achieve, how your preparations are going, etc.
Attending this scholarship means I won’t just be learning for myself; I’ll be taking this knowledge back home to lay the foundation for an entire industry that doesn’t even exist yet.
Beyond just the training, though, one of the things I’m most excited about is being part of a like-minded community. Growing up with such a deep love for animals in a place where that isn’t always the narrative has always made me feel like an outsider. I’m always having to explain myself and my views to people who just look at me like I’m insane for caring this much about creatures most view as one-dimensional. The idea of finally being surrounded by people who get it; who not only share my passion for dogs but also understand their potential to completely transform lives, is something I can’t wait to experience. I’ve never had the chance to immerse myself in an environment where service dogs are a part of the conversation, and I just know that being around trainers, students, and industry professionals who are just as passionate about this work as I am will be unbelievably inspiring.
Beyond that, I know this experience is going to push me in ways I haven’t experienced before. It’s one thing to read about service dog training or watch videos online, but to actually be in the field, working hands-on with dogs every day, surrounded by people who live and breathe this work? It feels too good to be true, honestly.
I’m also preparing myself to step into a leadership role when I return, because I won’t just be training dogs, I’ll be passing this knowledge onto others, advocating for service dogs, and working to shift social perceptions, all at the same time. It’s a big responsibility, but I’m more than ready for it.
And honestly, looking back, I still can’t believe how close I was to not applying this year. After getting rejected the first time, I was so sure I’d be setting myself up for disappointment again. But I pushed past that doubt, took a chance, and here I am. If there’s one thing this whole process has taught me, it’s that sometimes, you just have to take the risk and bet on yourself.
—
We would like to thank Rana for taking the time to answer our questions, and wish her all the best in her upcoming studies.
If you are interested in applying for our International Scholarship, head over to our dedicated page for all the details! Applications can be submitted up to December 15 of this year, with the winner announced on January 1 of the following year. Recipients will receive a place in the Summer semester of our Master Dog Trainer program, which begins in early July.