We'd Like to Introduce Dogsafe Instructors in Canada
Alberta Instructors |
Shannon Wallace
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Areas: Grande Prairie
Shannon is a proud Karen Pryor Academy Graduate (KPA CTP) and Dogsafe Authorized Instructor. Shannon and her husband Rodger reside in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Their animal family consists of two dogs and a cat. Abby is a Newfoundland who loves volunteering as a Therapy dog. Niso, a golden doodle is Shannon’s demo dog for training and Dogsafe Canine First Aid 101. Knuckles the cat was a stray kitten that followed Rodger home from a walk ten years ago and decided to stay. |
Barbara Walmer
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Areas: Calgary and southern Alberta
Barbara’s experience working with dogs dates back to when she was 14 years old and worked as a veterinary assistant at a local clinic. From there, Barbara began her processional dog training career competing in Canadian Kennel Club obedience trials and expanding her knowledge of the science behind how animals learn. In addition to being a Dogsafe Authorized Instructor, she was the behaviour consultant at the Calgary Humane Society and her credentials include: Certified Pet Dog Trainer Knowledge & Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA), Tellington TTouch Practitioner Level 2, Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Certified Training Partner (CTP) and Certified Behaviour Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed. As a knowledgeable and skilled speaker, Barbara is invited to present internationally at animal welfare and professional dog training conferences, on talk radio and TV news. Barbara shares her home with four Golden Retrievers, and a Papillion, and has strong interest in helping owners and their pets stay safe and healthy. |
British Columbia Instructors |
Robyn Andexser
"Robyn, you put your whole heart into this class, two thumbs up!"
-- Klaus, Dogsafe graduate |
Areas: Powell River and Nanaimo
Robyn has been working with animals since she was 15 years old, beginning her animal training career with Bottlenose Dolphins and African Penguins in Edmonton. After moving to Nanaimo in 2005, Robyn expanded into the dog care and training world, and ultimately founded Best Paw Forward Dog Training in Nanaimo in 2006, and recently sold the business in 2022. She and her two dogs taught all levels of classes and one-on- one lessons for more than 15 years. Robyn is a graduate from the Animal Care Aide program at VIU and became a Dogsafe Authorized Instructor in 2011. Her main teacher today is Ty, a 14 year old border collie mix, who is so unique that he is adored by everyone - especially those he teaches at the Dogsafe class. Ty and Robyn live and teach in Powell River but continue to teach Dogsafe 101 in Nanaimo too. |
Susan Ayotte |
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Areas: Ladner, Tsawwassen, White Rock Susan graduated from the Dogsafe Canine First Aid course back in 2007 and became a Dogsafe Authorized Instructor in 2014. She's had a love for animals for as long as she can remember. She started her canine career as a veterinary assistant, then continued on to graduate from a dog grooming academy which also included courses in pet hygiene and basic pet training. Susan is the owner/operator of a successful dog grooming business, Susan's Canine Services, were she continues to put her four-legged clients' safety first. Susan enjoys working alongside her Siberian husky, Spirit and a mix-breed, Scrappy. |
Kyla Hillard
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Areas: Duncan and mobile classes in the Cowichan Valley Kyla is a professional dog trainer, certified through the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behaviour and co-owner of Dogs Dig It Training & Services Ltd. A very important goal to her is to enrich the lives of families and their canine family members by providing education to families and children about canine safety and canine language. Kyla shares her home with her husband, two children, two cats, and two dogs. |
Nina Houghton |
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Areas: Vancouver
Nina Houghton first graduated from a Dogsafe Canine First Aid course in 2006 and became a Dogsafe Authorized Instructor in 2013. She is a graduate of the International College of Canine Behavioural Sciences and is professional dog trainer and owner of Alpha Dog Training Co. with a committment to using friendly, positive training techniques. Becoming a Dogsafe Authorized Instructor was a natural progression for expanding her own knowledge of dogs while providing instruction for safety, awareness and handling emergencies. Nina is owned by Daisy, her 7 year old Australian Shepherd Cross. |
Laurie McPhee |
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Areas: Chilliwack, Langley, Surrey and mobile private classes
Originally from the east coast, Laurie obtained a bachelor degree in psychology before moving to Northern B.C. to counsel youth. A short time later, she became a paramedic for the British Columbia Ambulance Service, joined Search & Rescue, and has also instructed army cadets for ten years. Laurie seemed to be following a destined path when this extensive experience plus her life long love for dogs led her to becoming a Dogsafe Authorized Instructor in 2012. Quincy, a SPCA rescue, has been taking care of Laurie for seven years as they train and compete in agility and share adventures such as hiking, camping and snowshoeing. Laurie is the creator of K9ABCs, a company which helps promote the safety and wellbeing of our four legged friends. |
Angela Osmachenko |
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Areas: Prince George, BC and surrounding areas
Angela is originally from the Kootenays, but is now enjoying the great white north, with her animal family in Prince George, BC. She's currently sharing her home with her dog Maple, cat Tigz and bunny Sunny. She has been an animal fan and animal companion her whole life and her passion led her to create Happy Tails Canine Adventures. As an experienced pet sitter and dog walker, she values the importance of their care and safety and was initially introduced to Dogsafe Canine First Aid when she took the course in the 2006. Her additional experience as a teacher's aid and residential care worker was the perfect blend to become a Dogsafe Authorized Instructor. |
Gail Radtke
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Areas: Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Mission and mobile private classes
Gail had a career in public service with over 18 years experience in emergency response and instruction and is now a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and graduate of the Good Dog Academy and has a Diploma in Canine Behaviour Science Technology. Gail is also a St John Ambulance Therapy Dog Certified Handler along with her Chinese sharpei/malamute mix, Lanie, adopted from the Langley Animal Protection Society. As two of Gail's other dogs experienced age related health complications, she took the Dogsafe course to enhance her knowledge of emergency response and first aid that was specific to dogs. It was then natural for Gail to combine her love of dogs with her career experience and become a Dogsafe Authorized Instructor. Gail is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and owner of Cedar Valley K9. "Thank you for being an amazing instructor, Gail, your teaching style is wonderful." --Sydney Jang, Dogsafe graduate |
Deborah Sanders |
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Areas: Victoria Deborah became a Dogsafe Authorized Instructor in 2012 after hosting the Dogsafe courses in Langford for three years. Previously, she founded and operated K9HQ Doggy Daycare Plus, before launching her new endeavour: K9 Affairs consulting & training company which focuses on health and safety education for pet businesses and pet parents. Deborah has a certificate in animal welfare, is a Certified Canine Specialist through the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada (PIJAC) and is currently studying for the Carnivore Nutrition certification through American Council of Animal Naturopathy ACAN. Deborah is married and lives on Vancouver Island with three dogs and two senior cats. Her dog Glayva, is happy to comply (for cookies) as a demonstration partner in the Dogsafe workshops. |
Michelle Sevigny |
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Areas: Global eLearning
Michelle is the Creator, Head Instructor and Director of Instructor Development of Dogsafe Canine First Aid and author of the course manual, Dogsafe: Everything Your Dog Wants You to Know In An Emergency (full bio). She has a bachelor degree in communications from Simon Fraser University, was a Vancouver police officer for nine years and was a professional dog trainer and creator of Dogtime Canine Recreation Company. On January 30, 2013, Michelle said her final good-bye to her beloved Monty, a Rottweiler adopted from the Vancouver city shelter. In July 2014, Michelle adopted a 3 1/2 year old black labrador, Lucy, while in Halifax, Nova Scotia. "Michelle, you are a first-rate teacher and Monty has a wonderful spirit." - Anna Lee, Dogsafe graduate |
Laurie Wright
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Areas: Duncan and mobile classes in the Cowichan Valley
Laurie Wright is a certified dog trainer through the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behaviour, as well as a Tellington TTouch® practitioner. Dedicated to the wellbeing of dogs, she became a Dogsafe Authorized Instructor in 2017 after co-founding Dogs Dig It Training & Services Ltd. Laurie grew up in Manitoba surrounded by animals. Her love for them led her to raise and train horses, with dogs always at her side. Life then took her to Vancouver Island where her focus turned to dogs. She is an experienced small dog trainer and uses only humane training methods. Laurie shares her home with seven adopted Chihuahua/crosses. |
Ontario Instructors |
Judy Kells
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Areas: Cambridge
While volunteering and fostering for a rescue, Judy realized how much she didn't know about dogs and set about changing that, first becoming Certified in Obedience Training, and then Agility Training and Behavior Modification. After 8 year of pet sitting and dog training, Judy became aware of the need to educate other dog professionals and dog owners about how to deal with first aid emergencies, and found her way to the Dogsafe Authorized Instructor Program. Her dog, Charlie Brown, has been a great learning partner and has supported her the whole way. |