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.
Kelly with their first dog, a male Jack Russell Terrier named Stewie, in their back yard in the winter.
Kelly on a winter hike at Arrowhead Provincial Park.
Kelly with their second dog, a female Olde English Bulldog and Boxer mix named Georgie, on an early summer hike at Huckleberry Rock Lookout Trail.
Kelly on a summer hike at Algonquin Provincial Park.
Who is Heeling Muskoka?
Hello it is lovely to meet you! My name is Kelly, my pronouns are she/they
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). My second dog was a rescue named Georgie, an Olde English Bulldog and Boxer mix I adopted from a local rescue in 2019.
I graduated from the Georgian College Social Service Worker (SSW) Program in 2019 with honours.
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 to work with pet parents and their fur babies. Quickly I began gaining knowledge about various training and behaviour modification tools as well as pet nutrition and welfare. I continued to develop my SSW skills by listening to the problems pet parents where facing and helped them explore options they may find useful in order to support them and help them find solutions.
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 as a Co-Op student at the Muskoka Animal Centre SPCA in order to gain 75 assisting hours I needed in order to complete my dog training log to qualify for the exam. While participating in my 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, and in October 2024 I received my CPDT-KA certification from the CCPDT. This certification means I have passed rigorous exams in order to prove I have professional knowledge and skills.
I help you and your dog learn fundamental skills and train desirable behaviors, as well as create management strategies for common behavioural challenges. I create unique dog training programs and help pet parent implement these training programs and behaviour strategies within the home while adhering to the Behavior Change Procedures.
Principles
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.
