How it all began...
Cathie's adopted her first dog in 2002. Cleo, was a beautiful 8 year old Belgian Sheepdog X. Sadly, after only 18 months, Cleo passed away suddenly.
In 2004, Cathie rescued her second dog, Cody, a Malamute X. Cody was truly her soul dog. It is the results that she got training Cody, that inspired her to begin her own career in dog training. She began volunteering as an assistant in puppy and dog training classes in North Vancouver. In 2006, knowing that dog training was an unregulated industry, and wanting to find a more formal and structured learning environment, Cathie found an established Training Company in Vancouver. She was accepted into their two year trainer’s apprenticeship program and from 2008 - 2018, taught a variety of group classes. Cathie has also participated in MANY classes, with all of her dogs, everything from Puppy Classes, Advanced, Canine Good Neighbour and Canine Sports, like Agility and Rally O.
In 2010, after meeting the requirements of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, and passing their intensive 4 hour exam, Cathie obtained her professional designation CPDT-KA. In order to maintain this professional designation, certificants are required to renew every 3 years by either re-taking the exam or by continuing their education (36 CEU'S), by completing courses seminars and webinars that are approved by CCPDT. In 2020, Cathie also successfully received the Fear Free Certified Trainer designation and in 2022 received her Separation Anxiety Certification and is a Raising Resilient Dog Coach.
In 2011, while continuing to teach group and private classes, Cathie opened her own successful dog walking and dog boarding business. Cathie’s Canine Care.
In 2019, she remodelled the company and changed the name to Cathie's Canine Connection, now offering PRIVATE TRAINING & GROUP CLASSES. In 2022, Cathie's Canine Connection became incorporated and in 2023, has begun the process to change the name to Cathie's Canine Connection & Co. to be inclusive of our now 5 additional trainers.
Cathie is very active in the New Westminster community. She has volunteered in many capacities, including at Impact Parkinson’s, boxing with person’s (fighters) diagnosed with the disease, and as a moderator for several Canine related Facebook groups
Cathie also founded and created a very successful, free community walk and train program for Reactive Dogs. Currently on hiatus. This group provides clients, and anyone who struggles with walking their reactive dog, a safe space to go with their dogs to practice calm, loose leash walking skills. Participation is completely free. Donations are gratefully accepted and forwarded to New West Animal Services and other charities. We have raised many thousands of dollars.
Cathie lives in New Westminster with her spouse and dog, Coco Belle, their 10 year old Field Spaniel raised from puppyhood, and deeply loves and remembers her soul dog Cody, Paddy, Taz, Cleo, Chipper and Ricky.