
![]() |
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!

We enrolled our dog Xena in the basic Foundations course. Cowichan Canine provided professional and usable training for us. Our trainer Stephanie is an amazingly patient and knowledgeable instructor. The small class size was ideal and we always were able to get the attention and training instruction we needed. I would highly recommend Cowichan Canone to any dog owner who wants to improve the behaviour of their dog. We will be enrolling Xena in more classes in the near future.
Patrick Doherty
Cobble Hill
I cannot say enough wonderful things about cowichan canine!!! My pup went through the puppy start right and then onto the foundation classes. Stef and Stephanie were fantastic!!! Both classes are well run, organized, they are excellent teachers and spend time with you and your dog. The class sizes are small which makes an excellent learning facility. Stef and Stephanie are patient and kind. The knowledge is second to none. You are able to ask questions and have one on one time as necessary.
Did I mention how clean the facility is...? Holy you'd never know dogs are there all day. We wanted to give our pup his best chance and cowichan canine certainly facilitated that.
Elizabeth Butler-Smythe and Matt Tregear
cobble hill