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!
I enjoyed working with Bev and Laurie. The small classes and individual attention really make a big difference. There were a couple of moments in Foundations when you said "Click!" (and I did - yeah me...) at precisely the right moment for me to 'get it'. As a result, we went from Vita pulling like a fiend to polite walking in literally 2 classes. And getting the mechanics of Leave It/Take It down on my part (thank you again), helped me sort that one out in 3 or 4 sessions at home. We have, as you know, moved on to agility; Vita is having fun and is getting more confident and spirited with each class.
Colleen Hawkey
Ladysmith
Hello Cowichan Canine Team! My Kooikerhondje, Buddy, and I have just completed the beginner Foundation training course. The whole process has been fantastic.
Buddy is a very smart (of course) and overenthusiastic pup. My goal with him was to nip problems in the bud (pardon the pun:) to start on a path to a positive and calm relationship.
We had the privilege of learning under Jody, Karen and Lisbeth in Prep school. All had different styles but their methods were consistent, positive, sound and they work! Buddy and I then moved on to Beginner Foundation under Stephanie's tutelage. Her guidance was patient, kind and empathetic. I was the slower learner, but Stephanie showed me what Buddy was capable of and gave me the knowledge,tools and insight to meet my goals.
The facility is top-class, well-equipped, spotless and safe.
Learning at Cowichan Canine was the most enriching investment I could have made and I hope to continue in various activities in the future. Thank you all!
Gill Johansen & Buddy
Duncan, BC
