Bios

Meet our Training Partners & Staff

Collectively, our 7 Certified & Professional Dog Trainers bring you decades hands on experience, and education in the Scientific Principals of Dog Training. We are committed to humane & fear free dog training, and setting both you and your dog up for success!

"Cathie and her team are professional, knowledgeable, super friendly.

They will love your dog as if their own." Anderson Kang with Peanut

Cathie Tims, (she/her) CPDT-KA, FFCP, CSAP-BC

Certified Fear Free Professional Dog Trainer &
Certified Separation Anxiety Behaviour Consultant

CCC Founder, and Head Trainer of Cathie's Canine Connection & Co. Inc.

Hi, I'd like to personally welcome you to Cathie's Canine Connection & Co. Inc.

In my nearly 20 years as a dog trainer I have achieved Multiple Professional Accreditations. A Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed, Fear Free Certified Professional, Certified Separation Anxiety Consultant, Canine First Aid Certified, a Raising Resilient Dog Coach. I am most proud to have recently earned the BC SPCA Animal Kind Accreditation.

I teach a variety of our group specialty classes, provide Behaviour Consultations, as well as one on one private training. I also run our very popular Puppy Play & Learn Socialization Program & our Reactive & Fearful to Relaxed Programs.

CCC regularly participates in community events, as well as fund raisers for a variety of non-profit rescues. To date CCC has helped to raise well over $5000 for New West Animal Services and $2500.00 Wild West Animal League.

Karly Hertel (she / her ) VSA-CDT, CSAP-BC

Victoria Stilwell Academy - Certified Dog Trainer, Certified Separation Anxiety Behaviour Consultant

Content Canines Dog Training

Karly is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, graduate of the Victoria Stilwell Academy, and a Certified Separation Anxiety (SA) Pro Trainer.

Karly avidly pursues ongoing continuing education and professional development by watching seminars and webinars and keeping current on industry literature.

She is a member of The Pet Professional Guild, the only membership organization for professionals who subscribe to the view that aversive methods should not be used - or even deemed necessary as part of a strategic training or behaviour modification program.

When not helping clients to enjoy easier lives with their canine companions, Karly enjoys daily walks and adventures with her dogs, Milo, Archie, and Kona.

Karley teachings our Puppy Pre-school, Teen and Basic Life Skills Group classes.

Holly Saitz, (she / her) KPA-DTP

Karen Pryor Academy - Dog Training Professional

Holly & Friends Dog Training

Holly has been working with dogs professionally for over 10 years. She has successfully completed the Dog Trainer Foundations and the Puppy Start Right Preschool for Instructors courses through the world renowned Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behaviour.

Holly prides herself in having the knowledge of the latest science-based, and ethical techniques, when working with all dogs.

Holly teaches our Puppy Start Right, Teen Manners, & Basic Life Skills & Manners Classes, Connected Loose Leash Walking & Recall Classes.

Olivia Lam (she / her)

Trainer Apprentice

Olivia is currently apprenticing with Head Trainer Cathie, with the goal of become a certified dog trainer in the future.

Like many dog trainers began, Olivia's Miniature Australian Shepherd, Darwin, struggles with reactivity. It was through this journey of reactivity training that Olivia developed an interest in dog training and care. She has an immense love for dogs, and understands the importance and value in ongoing science based, and fear free education.

Olivia assists with our Puppy Play and Learn Group Socialization program, and our social media pages.

Jordana Lopez (she / her) CCFP, CCRA, CPDT-KA

Certified Fear Free Professional Dog Trainer, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Assistant

JLo K9 Fitness

Jordana is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and is certified in Canine Fitness and Canine Rehab.

She is passionate about dog agility and dedicates her free time to training and competing with her border collie, Vincent.

Jordana found canine fitness a decade ago, when her first agility dog Bellatrix was injured. Keeping her strong meant several more years in the sport! Since then, Jordana has helped many dogs stay injury free and achieve optimal performance.

With her experience in both fitness and rehab, she believes in keeping exercises simple and functional.

Over the last two years, Jordana managed a canine rehab clinic and developed training programs for the rehab assistant team.

Jordana currently has two dogs, Vincent and Bellatrix. Vinnie is a rockstar in agility, while Bella is now retired and enjoying K9 Nosework. Jordana and her dogs have also dabbled in Rally-O, Dock Diving, DiscDogs and Sheep Herding. When not playing sports, this trio can be found in hiking, swimming, camping, and road tripping.

Sarah Giammarino (she / her)

Rocket Dog Training

She's is the creator of Dog Agility From Home, a game that's fun for owners and their pets to play and a great way to tire out your excited/smart dog!

Over her 20 years of teaching and competing, she has worked with thousands of dogs. Sarah has competed nationally in agility, placing 4th in Canada with her dog, Vegas. She has a wide variety of professional development experience including other dog sports like rally, dog fitness, puller, top dog, nose work, dock diving, and disc.

As a teacher, Sarah specializes in working with families and kids. Her inclusive energy and clear teaching style means humans and dogs alike have a great time in their lessons. It's her hope that teaching "Dog Agility From Home" at Cathies Canine Connection will give many more dogs and humans a fun way to train, exercise, and bond with their dog, at home, all in a small space.

Sarah teaches learn to do 'DogAgility from home, and Rally Obedience.

Julia Schwark (she / her) CTDI, CPDT-KA

Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Certified Trick Dog Instructor

Run As One Dog Training Inc.

With a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, specializing in learning theory, Julia discovered her love of teaching dogs and worked hard to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Certified Trick Dog Trainer, evening earning the All Star Trainer of the Year for Trick instruction!

When not teaching, Julia is in the arena judging, or competing and training alongside her beloved furry teammates—Rikki, Flint, and SHAZAM! Together, they've clinched an impressive array of accolades, from Champion titles in Tricks, Agility, K9 Nosework, , Disc, Rally-Obedience, to captivating audiences on sets for commercials and television!

In Julia's vast experience, she has witnessed the value in teaching dogs to be more aware of their bodies, not only providing great foundation skills, but also helping to strengthen the bond between guardians and their dogs through having fun together!

Julia teaches our Tricks and Body & Brain Games classes.

Sara Wells (she / her) NACSW, CNWI

Certified Nose Work Instructor

Sara has been involved in K9 Nosework for several years now. Shortly after starting K9 Nosework as a student, with her dog Charlie, she was hooked. Sara started volunteering at trials, and since then she and Charlie have earned titles in CWAGS, CDSA, ABC Games and SSL!

Sara completed the NACSW Certified Nosework instructor training program in 2023 obtaining her CNWI designation, and began teaching classes in early 2024. Sara brings a fresh approach, along with the most up to date K9 Nosework education, to you and your dog!

Especially skilled at tailoring the K9 Nosework class curriculum to suit every dog , you can be sure that you and your dog will have fun and are successful!

Sara teaches all levels of K9 Nosework.

Melissa Hygard (she / her)

Puppy Play & Learn / Admin Volunteer

Melissa Hygaard's lifelong dedication to animal care, rooted in her formative years on a hobby farm, is evident in her pursuit of a career dedicated to their well-being.

Her recent adoption of Kya, a spirited adolescent Australian Shepherd Husky cross, further solidified her commitment to responsible pet ownership and highlighted the crucial role of socialization and positive classical conditioning in animal training.

Driven by her passion, Melissa is actively pursuing a career as a veterinary assistant and exploring additional opportunities to contribute to the betterment of pets. She is WALKS 'N' WAGS Pet First Aid certified