About Unleashed Niagara

Before diving into the world of dog training, I spent years working with people in crisis as a volunteer with Victim Services, providing frontline support to victims of crime and traumatic events. It was through this work that I began to notice a gap: the deep, often overlooked bond between people and their animals, especially during times of distress.
This realization sparked a new path. I returned to school in 2011 and is now completing a Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of Windsor, where my research explores the connections between harm, law, and the human-animal relationship. My academic and advocacy work focuses on how animals are impacted by systems of violence and how we can build more humane, safe, and compassionate communities.
My hands-on experience with dogs began in 2013 with the rescue of Lisa, a confident Chinese Crested mix who made everything seem easy. But when Bubba, a puppy mill survivor with intense fear and anxiety, joined the family in 2015, everything changed. Helping him heal was a crash course in canine behavior, and the beginning of my lifelong commitment to evidence-based dog training.

Since then, I have:
Trained through the Karen Pryor Academy
Volunteered in animal shelters and with therapy dog programs
Raised and worked with dogs for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides
Become an Instructor with Canine Health Canada, teaching first aid and emergency preparedness across Ontario
Achieved my CPDT-KA certification (known as the Certified Professional Dog Trainer).

Today, I share my life with Stevie, a quirky Chinese Crested who’s excelled in everything from cooperative care to lure courses (even if his feet aren’t always graceful!). Together, with the help of Candice and Judith, we’ve proven that fear-free transformations are possible with kindness, patience, and the right support. I am thrilled to be a part of the Unleashed team and help families in Niagara with their own pets in a fun, positive way you can feel good about.