As a small child I wanted to be a dog. That didn’t pan out for me so I did the next best thing, convinced mom and dad to get me a dog. Dexter, my cockapoo, would shut the gate when it was left open, and always covered for me when I came in late.

           In 2006 I joined a large private security company in Calgary, and for four of those years I was a licensed security officer/private investigator/dog handler, Office Manager and Den Mother to a dozen personal protection dogs.

           In 2010, unhappy with the trainers we were using, I obtained my Certified Master Canine Trainer from Canada West Canine Centre under the direction of Floyd Jobson. Rain, my long time K9 partner and I took a full program including living together for 6 weeks, just the two of us. Most of the other students stayed in the same motel which allowed our dogs to play together and socialize… and so did their humans. This experience has become a wonderful memory, as I was able to meet and keep good friends. However, Paris ‘Rain’ Hart had a spinal illness for many years, and in 2014 succumbed to her ailment.

           Upon my return from school, I became the Master Trainer for the company which included weekly classes for all handlers and K9 partners. I was solely responsible for the entire K9 department and subsequently rewrote the training program, while maintaining my position as Office/Operations Manager as well as my security positions. The program included everything from health and training record keeping, safe play with a working dog,  to proper bonding and nutrition for the canines.

           In 2012, I had the opportunity to breed two of my best German Shepherds. I remained at the office day and night for months to ensure the health of the mother and her seven puppies. The company kept two of the pups that became successful working dogs, and the others went to approved homes.

          As a sideline, I used my behavioral and cognitive training techniques to train pets of all sizes and ages, as well as the owners. I have even worked with older children and their first dog.

          After many years of visiting the island, I decide to make it permanent this summer. My German Shepherd puppy Eva and I packed our bags (she had more than me) and headed for God’s Country.