Nancy
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Nancy has a long and distinguished career in animal training since 1973. She has worked for the City of Vancouver as manager of Animal Control as well as a trainer, she has been Provincial Evaluator, Provincial Director, and then advisor to the National Professional Advisory Board for the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. For her contribution to the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program, Nancy was nominated and inducted into the Order of St. John. Nancy has competed with her own dogs in conformation, obedience, tracking, retriever trials and Schutzhund, and has also been active in agility and stock-dog training. She is currently training her own dogs in human remains detection. |
Nancy worked as a trainer and behaviour consultant for Cowichan Canine between 2016 and 2022, and was then recruited by BC & Alberta Guide Dogs as Puppy Training Supervisor for Vancouver Island.
After retiring from that job in 2024, Nancy is now back with Cowichan Canine, and we couldn’t be happier!
My little dog, Tilly and I have completed our Foundations course and I would be remiss if I did not express how wonderful the experience has been. I was so impressed with the organization of the programme and Lisbeth’s knowledgeable and friendly staff. I particularly liked the fact that you could book class times online when they suited you. I adopted Tilly at 5 months and knew that she had had very little socialization and training. For consistency I chose to stay with one instructor, Paula. One can tell that she is very passionate and knowledgeable about her job. I found Paula to be excellent at demonstrating and explaining the tasks at hand and she showed patience and understanding with me as Tilly and I learned together. It also helped that Paula had a good sense of humour and gave us positive feedback and praise when it was often needed. Sadly, there were no “treats” for owners but I would take another course with Cowichan Canine in a heartbeat!
Deb Tustin
Cowichan Bay
Louie and I just completed the Puppy Start Right program with Stef at Cowichan Canine, and what a fabulous experience. PSR covers all the basics, with carefully curated play sessions, exposure to various sounds and things from our human world, training tips, and lots of practical advice. Stef is kind and very experienced and has helped me to remember that these crazy first months of puppyhood - with the constant vigilance, all the peeing and biting, and the early wakeup calls - will pass, and is just part of the journey to a well-trained socialized dog. I will always remember how Louie passed out in the car on the way home from class: happy, tired and snoring ever so slightly. Thanks Stef, I cannot imagine doing this without Cowichan Canine.
Theresa and Louie
Duncan
