The Canine Foundations’ team demonstrates excellent technical knowledge and hands-on skills in both obedience training and behaviour modification. Our certified IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants) Behaviour Consultants and certified CCPDT (Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers) trainers regularly participate in continuing education courses to ensure the training you and your dog receive is based on current research and scientifically sound techniques. Our Consultants and Trainers are highly skilled in developing customized programs designed to suit your dog’s individual needs, implementing least intrusive, minimally adverse training methods to make your experience both enjoyable and efficient.
Canine Foundations employs individuals who are highly qualified and skilled in their area of expertise to teach our continuing education and training programs in the Corporate environment. Upon consultation our team of specialists will provide your organization and staff with the knowledge and expertise they require to perform their job with skill and confidence.
Head Behaviour Consultant and Course Instructor
Canine Foundations’ founder and Head Professional Behaviour Consultant is Julie Speyer, with over 20 years of Canine Rehabilitation experience, specializing in treating extreme Fear, Aggression and Phobia related behaviour issues. Among her many accomplishments, Julie is also a Court Recognized Expert Witness in the area of Dog Bite and Canine Behaviour Assessments. With a background as a Veterinarian Assistant, former Animal Cruelty Investigator and Animal Control Officer, Julie works closely with many Municipal Animal Shelters and organizations, such as the Municipal Law Enforcement Officers’ Association, in developing Officer Safety Training and Animal Handling programs.
Julie shares her experience and passion for rehabilitating canines as the writer and instructor for Georgian College’s Canine Behaviour Science programs, and continuing education credit courses for the; OAVT (Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians), IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants), and the CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers).
In addition to running Canine Foundations full time, she also serves on the board of directors for Last Chance K9 Rescue as the Behaviour Coordinator and Chief Rehabilitator. Last Chance K9 Rescue is one of the few rescues in Ontario that takes in and rehabilitates dogs with a biting history, giving them a new lease on life.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant through the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants)
- Certified Trainer through the CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers) – Knowledge Assessed
- Certified Service Dog Coach through Cooperative Paws Service Dog Education
- Canine Behaviour Consultant specializing in Territorial Aggression, Resource Guarding, Developmental Delay Disturbances, Dog to Dog Aggression, Stranger Fear Aggression, Separation Anxiety and Repetitive Behaviour Disorders
- Owner and Head Behaviour Consultant and Obedience Trainer of Canine Foundations
- Professional Member of the APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers)
- Professional Member of CAPPDT (Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers)
- Member of the AASAO (Association of Animal Shelter Administrators of Ontario)
- Member of ILEETA (International Law Enforcement Educators & Trainers Association)
- Court approved expert witness in canine bite assessments and canine behaviour
- Writer and Instructor for the Canine Behaviour Series at Georgian
- Writer and Instructor for Canine Foundations’ Training Academy through Georgian College
- Writer and Instructor of continuing education courses for the MLEOA (Municipal Law Enforcement Officers’ Association)
- Writer and Instructor of 11 canine behaviour related OAVT (Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians) continuing education credit courses
- Writer and Instructor of 11 IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants) continuing education credit courses
- Writer and Instructor of 11 CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers) continuing education credit courses
- Canine Rehabilitation specialist for Boxer Rescue Ontario
- Previous Animal Cruelty Investigator for the Ontario SPCA
- Previous Animal Control Officer for the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society
- Graduate of Sheridan College Animal Care / Veterinary Assistant program
Behaviour Consultant and Course Instructor
Lisa Large specializes in working with Fear and Anxiety Based Behaviours, Dog to Dog Aggression, Resource Guarding, Moderate Assertive Aggression and Separation Anxiety. Lisa is a Certified Canine Behaviour Consultant and a Certified Service Dog Coach with over 15 years of experience providing private behaviour training as well as teaching Group Obedience classes of all levels from Puppy Kindergarten to Competitive Obedience. In addition to her many Obedience Training accomplishments, Lisa also has extensive experience in education course development for Doggy Daycare Attendants, Dog Walkers and Veterinarian Technicians.
Lisa has taught free bite prevention technique courses for children as well as adult programs designed for individuals who work within the animal rescue field. Lisa has worked closely with several rescues operating in the Dominican Republic by educating staff, assisting with rehabilitation and adoption along with educating community members on developing humane relationships with street dogs.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant through the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants)
- Mentored under Certified Canine Behaviour Consultant Julie Speyer
- Certified Trainer through the CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers) – Knowledge Assessed
- Certified Service Dog Coach through Cooperative Paws Service Dog Education
- Certified Canine Obedience Training with the Animal Behaviour College- Graduated with Honours
- Instructor for the Canine Behaviour Series at Georgian
- Instructor for Canine Foundations’ Training Academy through Georgian College
- Assistant instructor of Air Canada’s Live Animal Handling course
- Mentor Trainer for Animal Behaviour College
- Studied at The Canine Academy, focusing on behaviour modification
- Mentored under a local Animal Behaviourist for one year through The Canine Academy, emphasis on dogs presenting fearful behaviours
- Group Obedience Instructor
- 10 years of Board and Train experience
- Canine Emergency First Aid Certified
Obedience Trainer
Nicole graduated from the University of Guelph in 2017 with a degree specializing in psychology. During her time at University, Nicole became involved with National Service Dogs, a non-profit organization that raises and trains Service Dogs for children with Autism and members of the Armed Forces suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and successfully raised and trained two service dogs for the organization. In the past 7 years, she has honed her skills in task training of all types of service dogs and also enjoys teaching Group Obedience classes from Puppy Kindergarten to Basic Obedience.
Nicole is passionate about expanding her education in dog behaviour and dog training. This has resulted in her achieving her continuing education certificates through Canine Foundations.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Certified Trainer through the CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers) – Knowledge Assessed
- Certified Service Dog Coach through Cooperative Paws Service Dog Education
- Graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Arts specializing in Psychology
- Group Obedience Instructor
- Corporate Training Instructor
- Service Dog Trainer
- Assistant Service Dog Trainer
- Canine Foundations Training Academy class moderator
- Former Puppy Raiser for National Service Dogs
- Former Puppy Raiser Liaison between National Service Dogs and the University of Guelph
- Completion of the following Georgian College continuing education courses;
- Canine Behaviour 101 – Reading Canine Body Language
- Canine Behaviour 102 – Separation Anxiety
- Canine Behaviour 103 – Resource Guarding
- Canine Behaviour 105 – Canine Temperament Assessment
- Canine Emergency First Aid Certified Edit Collapse Description
Obedience Trainer
Heather graduated from Seneca College with a degree focusing on Social Work, and while in college she began pursuing her lifelong dream of working with dogs. Heather started her career with dogs in the daycare environment, managing a dog daycare, dog walking and providing overnight boarding with a company in Toronto. Heather transitioned her career from a daycare setting to a busy veterinary clinic in Toronto. Heather gained considerable experience in recognizing common diseases, pathogens, and parasites, and became Fear Free Certified while working in a clinic environment.
Heather graduated at the top of her class from the Georgian College Canine Foundations’ Training Academy and achieved her certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Heather brings her extensive background in customer care, learning theory, behaviour analysis, and canine play management to the Canine Foundations’ team. She enjoys working with clients and their canine companions in both virtual and in-person private training sessions, as well as teaching Group Obedience classes from Puppy Kindergarten to Advance Obedience.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Certified Trainer through the CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers) – Knowledge Assessed
- Graduate of Georgian College Canine Foundations’ Training Academy
- Assistant Service Dog Trainer
- Group Obedience Instructor for Puppy Kindergarten to Advance Obedience
- Canine Emergency First Aid Certified
- Fear Free Certified through Fear Free Pets
- More than 8 years of hands-on experience working with dogs
- Social Service Work degree through Seneca College
Behaviour Consultant & Course Instructor
Yvonne is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge & Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA) with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). With over 10 years in the animal field, Yvonne is an active participant in various dog sports and holds multiple titles on owned, handled and trained dogs in Rally Obedience, Obedience, Tricks and Scent Detection with multiple placements and high in classes.
Professional trained and working as a social service worker for over 11 years, Yvonne truly understands how to tailor a training program to the needs of the dog and family. True to her passion, she specializes in working with dogs who have both physical and cognitive disabilities and neophobias. As both a local and international presenter, Yvonne enjoys both one to one teaching and large group learning.
Yvonne’s love for dogs compels her to take on a very active role with several canine rescue groups and not-for-profit organizations such as the Humane Society Hastings Prince Edward, Freedom Drivers and Last Chance K9 Rescue.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Apprenticed under Julie Speyer, Owner and Head Behaviour Consultant of Canine Foundations
- Board of Directors Member for The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers - elected in 2016 - Retired in 2020
- Provincial Court Recognized Expert Witness in Dog Assessment - Behaviour and Training - Qualified in 2019
- Scent Detection Judge - Sporting Detection Dogs Association (SDDA)
- Scent Detection Judge - Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
- Canine Good Neighbour (CGN) Evaluator - Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
- Certified Trick Dog Instructor - Do More With Your Dog
- Certified Stunt Dog Judge - Do More With Your Dog
- 4-time All-Star Trainer of the Year - Do More With Your Dog
- Platinum Winner of the 2020 & 2021 Belleville Votes for favorite Dog Trainer
- 2018 OSPCA Chair's Award Honourable Mention (Runner Up) Winner - Presented to an individual who goes above and beyond to make an outstanding contribution to Animal Welfare in the community
- Professional Member of The Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers
- Member of the Canadian Kennel Club
- Registered Participant of the Sport Detection Dogs Association
- Instructor at Mr Spot Dog Camp Kingston 2018 & 2019
- Instructor of Canine Foundations’ Canine Behaviour Series Courses, Professional Certification Courses and Canine Foundations’ Training Academy at Georgian College
- Round Table Facilitator at the 2018 Association of Professional Dog Trainers Conference - Memphis, TN
- Social Service Worker Diploma from Sir Sandford Fleming College
- Holds certificates in;
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- Canine Theriogenology from the University of Minnesota
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Edinburgh
- Animal Behaviour from the University of Melbourne
- SIRIUS Dog Trainer Academy – Dr. Ian Dunbar
- GROWL Class – for Reactive Dogs – Dr. Ian Dunbar
- Competitive titles and certifications held in;
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- CKC & CARO Rally Obedience (Excellent level and multiple placements and high in classes)
- SDDA & CKC Scent Detection (Master Champion Level – 12th team worldwide to achieve this title, multiple placements and all levels achieved as gold scores – 96% or higher). Placed 6th at the first-ever SDDA Nationals held in Campbellville, Ontario from over 100 teams with a ‘borrowed’ dog
- DMWYD & CKC Trick Dog Titles including Champion Trick Dog
- Herding Instinct Certification
- CKC Canine Good Neighbour
First Aid and Animal Handling Course Instructor
Sarah Campbell has been a Certified Canine First Aid and Animal Handling Instructor for Canine Foundations for over 4 years and assisted in writing Air Canada’s Animal Handling course. She currently works full time as the Veterinary Technician and Clinic Manager for North Point Veterinary Hospital with over 14 years of experience as an office administrator and veterinary assistant. Sarah’s experience and expertise coupled with her knowledge as a Veterinary Technician makes her an extremely valuable asset to the Canine Foundations team.
In addition to her work with Canine Foundations and North Point Veterinary Hospital Sarah has also been an active Animal Care Volunteer for the Brampton Animal Shelter for over 17 years.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Co-writer of Air Canada’s Animal Handling course
- Instructor of Canine Foundations’ Canine First Aid course
- Instructor of Air Canada’s Live Animal Handling course
- Veterinary Clinic Manager
- Veterinary Technician
- Veterinary Assistant
- Animal Care Volunteer for the Brampton Animal Shelter
Self Defense, ASP Expandable Baton & OC Munitions Instructor
Andrew Martin Speyer comes to Canine Foundations with an extensive background in the Military, Corrections, law enforcement, adult education, and Sport Dog/Gundog training. Martin served as a member or the Canadian Armed Forces extending over 14 years, 6 years of Corrections and has been a defensive tactics instructor for Military, Corrections, Police and Private Agencies for more than 12 years. His experiences includes but is not limited to, tactical level training for Governmental and Non-governmental agencies, Certified ASP Expandable Baton and OC Aerosol Projectors Instructor, certified by Armament Systems and Procedures INC. and Safariland Training Group Defence Technology.
Martin’s knowledge of health, safety and real life experience performing human Emergency First Aid in the field makes him a highly valued addition to the Canine Foundations team. Martin captivates students with his extensive knowledge base and real world experience when teaching.
Self Defense, Animal Law, ASP Expandable Baton & OC Munitions Instructor
Andrew Reynolds brings over 17 years of Law enforcement experience to Canine Foundations’ Continuing Education team with a diverse background in; investigations, martial arts, defensive tactics, situational de-escalation, court procedures and defensive weapons training. Andrew is a Certified ASP Expandable Baton and OC Aerosol Projectors Instructor, certified by Armament Systems and Procedures INC. and Safariland Training Group Defence Technology. His extensive knowledge of Municipal, Provincial and Federal laws, report writing, crown brief development, evidence collecting and legislation development makes him a valuable asset to Canine Foundations.
Self Defense & ASP Expandable Baton Instructor
As a Correctional Officer, Shayne White was responsible for the care, custody and control of maximum-security Provincial and Federal inmates. With over 11 years as a member of the Institutional Crisis Intervention Team (ICIT), he was responsible for quelling disturbances within the institution and overseeing high risk escorts within the institution and community, in addition to tracking and collecting evidence to provide within the Provincial and Federal court system. Shayne is a Certified ASP Expandable Baton Instructor, certified by Armament Systems and Procedures INC. and brings a wide-range of situational de-escalation, environmental awareness and self-defense expertise to the Canine Foundations’ Corporate Training team.