Beliefs
With knowledge and teamwork, pet parents are able to clearly communicate with their dogs, strengthen the bond between themselves and their dog and achieve their goals.
People are responsible for a dog's wellbeing, feelings of security, and physical safety.
Dogs are capable beings that will require individualized care and training plans to best match their unique personalities.
Who is Heeling Muskoka?
Hello, it is lovely to meet you!
My name is Kelly, my pronouns are she/her.
I am a passionate animal lover and care greatly about animal welfare. Personally, my first dog, Stewie, was adopted back in 2008 and he was a Jack Russell Terrier (JRT). He was a ball of energy and had quickly had me trained to fulfill his demands. True to the breed, he was very active and intelligent. Stewie was truly my best friend throughout my childhood, we competed in local Fall Fair Dog Tricks Competitions together. He got me through highschool, college and he was even there for my last college exam for which I am forever thankful.
After battling cancer, Stewie needed to be laid to rest Spring 2019.
After my college graduation ceremony, I brought home Georgie, an almost two-year old Olde English Bulldog and Boxer mix. I adopted her from a local rescue. I had worked with a Canine Behaviour Consultant to work on Georgie’s fear-based reactivity issues. Georgie was an extremely sweet dog, who fiercely loved her people. She taught me so much and supported me through achieving my Professional Dog Training Certificate.
After a sudden collapse, Georgie was rushed to an emergency animal hospital and from there rushed to a specialty emergency animal hospital. Georgie was diagnosed with mild pulmonary hypertension and cancer. Georgie's mass was invading the causal vena cava and the portal vein, making her not suitable for surgery and at risk of hemorrhage.
Georgie passed suddenly and peacefully Spring 2025.
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I graduated from the Georgian College Social Service Worker (SSW) Program in 2019.
While obtaining my SSW education, I had my second college field placement under Dr. Adam Stibbards and Dr. Howard Bloom on their therapeutic animal research team. I was a part of the Sweet Charity team creating educational videos to streamline therapeutic dog training and directly implement therapy dogs into public schools.
This truly ignited my dog training journey.
In Spring 2022, I began working at a specialty pet boutique so I may start working around animals. Quickly I began gaining knowledge about various training tools and behaviour modification tools as well as pet nutrition and welfare. By working at a retail location I quickly gained experience working with pet parents and their pets directly and did my best to support them find solutions to any problem they were facing.
Fall 2023, I attended the Canine Foundations Training Academy with Georgian College in order to prepare for the exam created by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). I gained vital knowledge about dog training techniques, canine behaviour and husbandry.
During the program I attended lectures, turned in video assignments of myself training Georgie and gained over 225 hours training 14 pet parents and their dogs.
I also began volunteering at the Muskoka Animal Centre SPCA in order to gain 75 assisting hours I needed to complete my dog training log to qualify for the exam.
I helped clean the dog kennels, mop the floors, assisted the veterinary technician weigh puppies as well as performed dog training, walking and other enrichment activities. While volunteering I got the opportunity to access the Fear Free Shelter education and earn a few certificates.
I passed the Canine Foundations Training Academy that Spring 2024.
In October 2024 I received my CPDT-KA certification from the CCPDT.
I continue to volunteer at the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.
Certificates
Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed
Canine Foundations Training Academy Badge
Fear Free Shelter Intake and Admission Module
Fear Free Housing and Environment
Fear Free Shelter Cat Enrichment Course
Fear Free Shelter Dog Enrichment Course
Fear Free Shelter Program Core Modules
Principals
Certification by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) ensures the trainer has passed the rigorous examination for canine knowledge and training, continuing their education in the Professional Dog Training industry, is abiding by the CCPDT Code of Ethics and is following a Hierarchy of Behavior Change Procedures for developing each unique training program.
Bridging the communication gap by providing the opportunity for people to better understand how to communicate and interact with their dogs by educating them with up to date scientific information about canine body language.