About Us

SEAN Senechal combines a strong intuition and curiosity with a science background. She earned her Bachelor's at UCBerkeley and her Master's at CSUSF in biology, and conducted research in exercise physiology. Next, she attended UCDavis graduate school in the Animal Physiology Department, where she earned a NIH Training Grant and the PhD candidacy. Her research and studies focused on exercise physiology, cognition and attention in humans, and learning in non-human primates in a Primate Center lab. Her extensive coursework has covered teaching, biology, physiology, linguistics and American Sign Language. Ms. Senechal was a UCDavis lecturer in biology and taught physiology laboratories and, currently, is a college faculty member in California. She offers private tutoring, seminars, and workshops on animal-human communication focusing on AnimalSign® Language.

Princess is a young Dutch Warmblood/Thoroughbred mix born at the Stanford barn in California. Smart, sensitive and charismatic, she is the prize student at Senechal AnimalSign® Center. Princess! has showcased her beauty and brains on ANIMAL PLANET and News TV shows, radio, newspapers, private events, and now is entering the video arena.

Chazz is a quarterhorse, 16 years Princess's senior. He is her bonded and watchful companion. Chazz was bred to be a hunter jumper, but shortly before being shipped to LA, he was in a fire that burned a wide area on his back. He was nursed to health by his next owner and after a few years landed at the Stanford Barn in Palo Alto, CA where his stall was in front of the main door of the Red Barn. He was a school horse for several years, which he didn't like. Later he was cared for by a doctor, then Ms. Senechal, who loved riding him as she was getting to know Princess! Chazz and Princess! have been inseparable until he passed away Spring 2004 at 28.

Chal is a the newest edition to the AnimalSign® Center. She is a German Shepard, born 9/03 bred by VonFalconer in Santa Cruz (a supplier of police and service dogs). She is very intelligent, has a sweet, friendly temperment and a reflective disposition (when not being a lively pup). She is large with tan/black coloring. Her training program includes obedience, agility, and later service. She receives K9Sign™Language lessons. Her cognitive development is documented and will be published as she progresses in the program. Her initial challenge was learning to gesture, and recognizing that not all gestures from humans are commands, some are statements. With patience and persistence she's learning obedience & gesturing.

Contact Sean: Email info@animalsign.org