Growing up with dogs, cats, horses and whatever other reptilian creature I could sneak into the house, it seemed only a natural fit that I would pursue my life long dream of working with animals.

I had always wanted to be a vet; it was one of the first words I could speak. I began volunteering at vet clinics in 1996 and obtained a position as a vet assistant. I moved to PEI for a few years continuing to pursue my interests in the animal world and working at a vet clinic. While there, my beloved Rottweiler Heidi had to undergo cruciate surgery – twice on the same knee. I was devastated and wanted so badly to help with her recovery but felt lost.

Heidi was the inspiration for Pawsitively Pooched. I wanted to create a facility that would help clients through the emotional and physical turmoil that they had to endure, clients and their dogs alike.

Moving back to Calgary, August 15th, 2005, the doors to Pawsitively Pooched opened! Heidi got back on her feet and was a great spokesdog for Pawsitively Pooched. Her progress was outstanding.

I feel very privileged to be able to offer this service in Calgary, and to be able to help clients and their dogs when it seems hopeless. Welcome to our family! We are dedicated to spoiling your pet as much as you do!

• B.A from U. PEI majoring in Organic Chem
• Reiki Master Certified
• Canine Water Therpist
• Yoga Therapist

Traci is a Certified Equine Massage Therapist, Canine Water Therapist, and has her Kinesiology Degree.

Member of CKC and Rottweiler Club of Canada, Traci has devoted her life to her Rottweiler’s and to her clients that come for Water Therapy and Massage Therapy. Traci is an incredible asset to Pawsitively Pooched and has an incredible gift with the dogs that have come into her life! Call now to book a water session with Traci!

 

 

 

 

IPG Certified Dog Groomer

I began working with dogs about eight years ago at a daycare where I walked and played the dogs. After I got my first dog and started training classes, I asked the trainer if I could volunteer as a training assistant. I learned a great deal about how to handle dogs and train them. This has helped me a lot in my day-to-day grooming as it enables me to better read and handle the dogs and to assess their temperament. One year after working in training and daycare, I was asked if I would like to be a bather and brusher in the grooming room. It only took a few days of being in the grooming room for me to realize that this was what I wanted to do as a career. I asked the groomers if they would teach me how to groom and I spent the next year as their apprentice, learning the various techniques required in order to groom different breeds. In 2006, I took my certification exam with I.P.G. and began working at Pawsitively Pooched in November 2007, and I cannot imagine working anywhere else. All the staff, dogs and customers are great, and it makes for such a calm, positive place to work.

Canine Behavior Coach

Walking homeless shelter dogs in her spare time from a busy career as a financial planner was so rewarding, Jennifer knew that one day animals would be the main focus of her career. To reach that goal, she decided to study canine behavior and learn professional dog training through the Calgary Humane Society’s Dog Trainers Apprenticeship program.

The Positive Reinforcement techniques and knowledge of dog communication Jennifer acquired, earned her the trust and love of the skeptical shelter dogs, many of whom had previously learned that humans are not totally trustworthy. Teaching basic manners to these now very loving dogs helped to save their lives by making them “adoptable” into welcoming families.

Coaching dog owners to use these same techniques creates a bond where the owners are proud of their dogs and the dogs feel as though they have the greatest owners in the world!

Six years and many happy, well-mannered dogs later worlds have reversed, Jennifer is teaching positive training to all breeds of dogs and their owners as her career, with a little financial planning as a hobby.

Keeping up on all the latest in the Dog Training Industry, Jennifer is part of a monthly Dog Trainers’ book club and also continues education through attending animal seminars and courses. Her family’s own rescued Sheltie x American Eskimo keeps her busy taking many agility classes as well.

• Basics of Tellington Touch (T-Touch) – Dog Massage
• Safe Animal Handling
• Animal Behavior 101
• Calming Signals – Dog body language and communication
• No Excuse for Abuse (in conjunction with YWCA)
• Preparing Pet for Baby
• Animal Welfare Enforcement

Alysia started with Pawsitively Pooched in December 2008.

She has always had a passion for animals; dogs in particular. Owning Pit Bulls all her life, she has a great understanding of the many complicated and misunderstood breeds. She continues to educate herself and strives to help others with the everyday complexities of canine behavior. Her compassion and patience is a great asset to Pawsitively Pooched.

 

I have been around animals my entire life--mostly big dogs as rotties were the number one choice in my family.

Presently I have two very funny cats as dogs are not permitted in my apartment. Their names are Moe and Abbie. Abbie loves to bring me mice that she found out side and after she’s had a lovely game of cat and mouse. And well Moe is just too slow to catch a mouse as he is really more like a dog. Alysia’s dog Sadie and Moe used to be best of friends and I have a feeling that Sadie rubbed off on him.

I work at Pawsitively Pooched because I love dogs.

 

 

 

 

For as long as I can remember I have always had a deep love and passion for animals. Over the years I have owned everything from hamster to horses, but have always held a special place in my heart for dogs. I got my first dog when I was nine--a pitbull cross we adopted from the local SPCA in the town that I grew up in. We also acquired two golden retrievers not long after. I got my first job at the animal shelter when I was sixteen and soon realized I wanted to pursue a career working with animals. I moved to Alberta six years ago with hopes of becoming an animal health technician, but after working at a couple of vet hospitals I decided that it just wasn’t the correct career choice for me.
I then got a job at Pawsitively Pooched and have been training under a certified dog groomer to become a groomer myself. I am loving every minute of it and am very eager to keep learning with the plan to get my certification as well!

Elysse has had a passion for animals as long as she can remember, and is therefore thrilled to be able to work with them every day at Pawsitively Pooched. Elysse has many years of experience working with dogs; as a teenager she was an active member of the Alberta Junior Kennel Club, devoting several evenings every week to agility, fly-ball and obedience classes and competitions.

She competed as a junior handler in conformation trials, while also being hired to professionally show other’s dogs for many years. Additionally, she was part of an agility demo team which toured around Calgary performing shows for large audiences. Elysse has worked as a dog walker and sitter for almost ten years. In the future, she hopes to complete a dog trainer program so that she can work professionally as a trainer.

Outside of her life with dogs, Elysse is interested in camping, yoga, cooking, travel, fitness and theatre. She is currently working towards obtaining her BFA in acting, with hopes of one day achieving her MA in Drama Therapy. Although her field of study is not directly related to her affection for animals, Elysse is certain that she will find a creative way to bring her two passions together in the future. Until she figures that out, she is enthused to be working in such a fun, energetic environment with such wonderful people and pets!

For the past eight years I've worked with animals - specifically dogs. Although I've always been passionate about animals, working within the animal field came by chance or 'fate' (for those of us who believe in fate) and I've never looked back.
 
I started off as a kennel assistant at an animal boarding facility in Montreal. Even though i didn't speak a word of French, I built a strong relationship with both owner and dog just by being patient and caring. This gave the owners (and pets) the faith to know the pets woud be well taken care of.
 
Moving to Calgary almost five years ago, I walked into Pawsitively Pooched and spoke with Carrie about working for Pawsitively Pooched. Before I knew it I was hired on and remained with Pawsitively Pooched for almost 3 years. The past year I went to college and worked at an animal hospital as a supervisor. I found this experience empowering and completely different.

I believe I've grown even more in this past year and have a lot more to offer PP. I am extremely excited to be a part of this group again.
 
Outside of doggie life, I enjoy reading, the outdoors, road trips. As I'm not really a winter loving person I decided to get out there and try snow boarding which I love!!!! now I can enjoy Canada year round.

I grew up with dogs. I would walk my dog and many of the dogs in the small town I grew up in. I moved to Calgary when I was 17, and got a job at a boarding kennel where I took care of the dogs and cats.

I loved those animals so much that I even took home a 15 year old terrier mix after her owners moved and never came back.

I stopped working to raise my two children. In 1999 I started working at a local pet daycare and store. I walked and played with the dogs and helped train some of the dogs that had behavioural problems.

One day, Mariko needed help in the grooming room, and I enjoyed it so much I asked her if she would teach me how to be a grooming assistant. I jumped at the opportunity to work at Pawsitively Pooched. I love everything at Pawsitively Pooched from the atmosphere and staff to the customers and their dogs.