Letters of Reference

Ben has approximately 11,000 letters of reference from his clients dating back to 1982. Here are a few examples of those letters:

Dog Training | Professional Dog Trainers Program
Entertainment | Miscellaneous

Dog Training

• I have owned Ruby since she was a puppy ( 10 weeks old).Ruby was attacked when she was 2 1/2 and started showing leash aggression towards other dogs within six months of that attack. Her attacker was her much smaller, generally submissive lab x playmate. Over time she became more unpredictable and reactive with other submissive type dogs. Fortunately, she has never caused any harm to another dog but she became a full-time on leash dog.

  I have over the past few years sought the help of several dog trainers and an animal behavioralist to deal with these issues. Although I did learn some tools/tricks to avoid any confrontations with other dogs it was not in anyway a solution. Enter Ben Kersen.

  I have known Ben for several years both as a dog trainer and outside of that. There are several reasons I decided to call up Ben and enlist his help. First, Ruby and I went through his group training as a puppy 5 years ago and so have a history with him. Secondly, he was the first trainer to actually evaluate her level of aggression towards other dogs in a real life situation without putting anyone or any dog in jeopardy. Thirdly, based on the ladder information, he was able to provide me with a game plan for her rehabilitation.

  An essential part of Ben's plan for Ruby was getting her into the Doggie College program so that she could have daily obedience and supervised interaction with other dogs in a controlled environment. I will say that there was a noticeably positive change in Ruby after Trina began working with her.

  I began group sessions in mid May and it was at that time that I was able to experience Ruby's improvement first hand around other dogs. It was obvious by her relaxed, attentive and happy demeanor that significant progress had been achieved. I witnessed her unquestionable connection to Trina and her willingness to do what ever was asked of her. Most importantly she was not showing any signs of aggression! I also witnessed her overwhelming popularity among all of the students and on several occasions was told what a great dog Ruby was. To my knowledge she became one of the pack!

  I consider this experience a giant success for both Ruby and myself. I do appreciate that where Ruby is concerned it will be a lifelong process but that I will forever have the support, resources and coaching of Ben and his staff. I believe that Ben's program has saved my dogs life and I am forever grateful!

  Sincerely,
  Cheri Moore, Victoria, BC

• Hi, my name is Julie. I have two yellow labs that are 2 1/2 yrs old. I had been having a hard time controlling my dogs they would pull hard on the leash, very distracted by others dogs only come when they wanted to and all this was making it very hard to take them for a walk. My husband and I had other dogs before so we figured we would be able to train these two, but by 2 1/2 they were only listening when they wanted to so I thought about looking for help with training my dogs. A friend at work had mentioned that years ago she had taken her dog to Ben Kersen and to give him a call. I looked him up on the internet and was quite interested. I made an appointment for a one hour private session with Ben and was amazed. I brought my lab Koda the jumping pulling non-listener, I handed Koda over to Ben.He hooked a long rope to the training collar and took koda for a short run and got him all excited and with in 5 to 10 mins he had Koda sitting on command. Then with in 30 mins you could see Koda was only paying attention to Ben, even when other dogs were brought in to distract him he never moved. He just sat calmly,  normally Koda would run as fast as he could toward another dog and pull me behind. And all this training was done while Koda was having fun, his tail was waging the whole hour. By the time the hour was up Koda was not jumping on people, he was sitting on command and staying there while other dogs walked around him. And all this was done while he was off-leash! It amazed my husband and I. And what impressed us the most was that Koda was enjoying every minute of it. We were so impressed that we signed up for the group sessions so that we could learn how to control our dogs in the same manner.
  Julie Bentley, Sooke, B.C.

• Ben and his staff did a fantastic job with basic obedience training on our 7 month old mastiff, Rocco. I admit to being a bit apprehensive with the time and commitment when I enrolled Rocco for training while having to travel from out of province. In the end it was well worth the endeavour. I am now fully comfortable and confident walking Rocco off leash in the neighbourhood and around other dogs and people. Rocco returned with a calmer disposition, greatly more attentive and completely capable of performing all the basic obedience tasks. With Bens help, I am looking forward to advancing Roccos training to a higher level.
  Sincerely,

Bob Buckle Cold Lake, Alberta

• I have two dogs; a German shepherd and a mixed breed named Tessa and Molly. My husband, Darren, and I took each dog to Bens training course and I cannot tell you what an experience it was! Not only are our dogs obedient, the relationship that we built with them through this interaction is incredible! We read each others body language and it is an amazing phenomenon! Unless one experiences this, there is no other way they can appreciate what we have experienced. I want Ben and all his trainers to know that we always and proudly recommend them and tell people of our experience by going through this course. I have listened to other stories, but none compare to what Darren and I got out of this individually in the development of our wonderful and fulfilling relationships with our babes! Thanks to Ben and all his trainers for facilitating such an experience!
  Evelyn Hogan, Victoria, BC
  

  We on Pender Island have been fortunate to have dog training made available through Ben Kersen and the Wonderdogs. I can highly recommend their training methods and the results they achieve. All the dogs who have benefited from their very skillful, positive, and compassionate trainers have demonstrated a significant improvement in their obedience level, and seem to enjoy life more and feel more confident. As a veterinarian who sees dogs in the often unfamiliar environment of the vet clinic, and also in the community (it's a small island), I have been very impressed with the lasting measure of comfort both the dogs and their owners have after their training.
  Maureen Stone, D.V.M., Pender Island Veterinary Clinic, Pender Island, BC
  
• After talking to Ben for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that there was no reason why our dog couldn't be trained for a reasonable amount of money. Not only did this impress me but Ben told me he could do it and did, in only twelve sessions.
  Keith Jeffries, Vancouver, BC
  
• We now get compliments everywhere that we go on what a well-trained dog Kodi is. I just wanted to take this chance to thank you and your trainers.
  Leanne Maccagno, Victoria, BC
  
• The lessons are fun and Smiley and I thoroughly enjoy attending. The cost of the course has been the best money that I have ever spent.
  Patricia Powell, Victoria, BC
  
• I did as you recommended and within three days, the problem behavior was gone. This is awesome considering it was all done over the phone.
  Bert Bruell, Sooke, BC
  
• ... my retriever-x, Abby ... loved the positive atmosphere of the training sessions, learned quickly, and enjoyed the Saturday mornings at the Wonderdog Club after graduation. Here she was challenged with perfecting the commands while distracted by other dogs and people. This was one of the most valuable aspects of Ben's methods ...the emphasis on training the dog to listen to you in these "real life" situations. Since leaving Victoria a few months after finishing the first level of training, I have been unable to find training classes that are as motivating and productive as Ben's. Now that we're back in B.C., Abby and I are looking forward to once again enjoying Ben's fun and rewarding training methods.
  Judy Margison, Kelowna, BC
  
• At 4 1/2 months old Maximus is housetrained and I feel that I can really enjoy having a puppy around the house. Thanks Ben!
  Shelley Clarke, Victoria, BC
  
  
• I have referred my clients and their dogs to Ben Kersen for several years. The response I get from my clients is overwhelmingly positive, the response I see in their pets is remarkable. I can often tell which owners have taken Ben's course by their pet's behavior in my clinic. Training your dog right from the start is the best investment you can make for your pet. It is a pleasure to recommend Ben Kersen for this important task.
  Dr. Derrick Milton, B.Sc., D.V.M.,Gulf Islands Veterinary Clinic

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Graduates of the Professional Dog Trainers Program

Feel free to contact any of the graduates below to hear about their firsthand experiences in our program. For a list of many more graduates from the last few intakes, please contact us.

My name is Kelly Ramirez and I graduated from Ben's Professional Dog Trainers Program in June 2008. It has been a little over 1 year since I finished the program, and in that time I have relocated myself and my little Wonderdog "Joey" to Sydney, Australia, where I now run my own dog training business called "SIT HAPPENS".

The program was everything I had hoped for, and more! Every day was action-packed and we went on so many great field trips. The training sites changed frequently, so we were able to work our dogs in a variety of real-life situations around Victoria. Not to mention the many wonderful guest speakers that we had!

Looking back, I can honestly say that deciding to take Ben's course was the best thing I have ever done. Not only do I now have one of the most well-behaved dogs (in the world, I'm sure!), I also learned more practical and applicable skills in those 3 months than I did during my entire 6 years at university. People used to ask me all the time, "What do you plan to do with your degree once you graduate?" I could never give anyone a definitive answer because I had no clear idea, and even in my last year of studies I still hadn't found any direction.. until I took Ben's course. Now, when someone asks me what I do for a living, I tell them proudly and without any hesitation that I am a Professional Dog Trainer, and it never ceases to make me smile when they reply, "Wow, what a cool job!" 

Many thanks to Ben and his instructors for an unforgettable and life-changing experience. Greetings from The Land Down Under!

Kelly Ramirez
Australia
www.sitdog.com.au

Once I knew I wanted to work in the canine field, I spent a number of weeks researching  the program I would take to become a dog trainer. Because I am from California there was a large variety of facilities offering programs to learn to train dogs. I carefully considered the cost, value, credibility, location, variety, and methods used by each trainer's program. It become apparent following my research that Ben Kersen and the Wonderdogs Professional Trainer's Program offers incredible value, hands on experience, teaching on a large variety of canine related topics, and vast amounts of personal experience and expertise. As an added bonus, the trainer's program was located in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia so I got certified as a professional trainer and got a bit of a vacation all wrapped into one!

Once the program began, I knew I had selected the right course. There was an immediate comeradory within the students and instructors fostered by Ben and his assistant's upbeat and attentive personalities. This balance of fun and yet intense learning is, what I think, makes the program such a success. Students are motivated and energized to learn because the program is fun and because there is so much support and information available. In addition Ben and the other trainers push students to work hard and to get the best training possible for the themselves and the dogs. There is ample, optional opportunities to gain even more experience and information throughout the program which I considered to be a big bonus.

The various guest speakers who presented throughout the program were an invaluable resource for us students.It is not often that one gets to sit down with a veterinarian, dog groomer, dog food manufacturer, dog herding trainer, dog handler for the police department, doggy day care operator...and have ample opportunity to ask questions, learn what they do, and explore various aspects of dog businesses. Through Ben's program and talking to these guest speakers I have been able to interact with any individual within other dog businesses as well as confidently answer client's questions even when the questions are outside the scope of dog training.

By the end of the program you'll wonder where the time went and be in awe of how much you have learned. It is amazing to see the difference in both you and your dog from the first day of the program to the last. You will also have a group of fellow dog trainers to keep in contact with and who will be able to provide support as you continue on to start your career in the dog industry. This is another invaluable part of Ben's program.

Having now left Ben's program to start my own training back in California I have really realized the true value of the Wonderdogs Professional Trainer's Program. I have actively compared what I've learned from Ben to lots of local trainers in California and found Ben's methods to be far superior. The methods you will learn in Ben's program will make you confident to deal with all types of dogs and owners even more than other trainers who have been working with dogs for years. Confidence and experience are very important in the dog training field and this program provides you with both.

My clients so far have been amazed at how quickly I can get results with their dogs and because of this I have had to do very little advertising. Once people learn about the methods you have learned from Ben and see the fast and effective results, your phone won't stop ringing!

This is really a program designed for individuals who are serious about learning not only about dog training, but about running your own dog business and the many options available in working with dogs. If you are passionate about working with dogs, dedicated to becoming successful as a dog trainer, and open to learning a lot then this program is definitely for you!

Erin Kramer
California, USA
havick68@hotmail.com

I'm happy to give you my recommendation for the Ben Kersen Professional Trainer Program.  As a student, the program was of exceptional value.  I have learned important tools, tips, techniques and theory that I previously had no clue about.  The learning that takes place is amazing. When I returned home, everyone was shocked when they learned how much I loved school (I was not exactly a teachers pet!) 

The classes and talks were very useful. I currently use my notes for every client case I take on, and I probably always will.  I am happy to say that I am a successful business owner only 3 months after completing the program.  I love my job, and am making good money and personally am very glad that I took the plunge and went to Victoria for this program.  I currently run my own business, “Anything's Pawsible,” and have been very successful thus far. 

The best thing about the program other than the infinite knowledge and experience I gained, was the teachers.  They were exceptionally friendly, open and fantastic.  People look at me like I am crazy, but I still say it: I miss my teachers!  They are funny and all around good people, but they are also very good at their job.  They have all the expertise and answers you could ever need from a teacher. 

You definitely have my recommendation to take Ben Kersen's Professional Trainers Program, as I am living proof that it works.  Before taking the program I had no direction and no clue what to do with myself or my life.  All I knew was that I loved dogs and wanted to work with them.  Now I am running a successful business and have gained vast knowledge, incredible hands on experience, many friends and wonderful memories from those 3 months. 

Casi Hofstede
St. Albert, Alberta
Email: xoxcasixox@hotmail.com

To say the least, the 3 month Professional Dog Trainers Program I undertook was probably the most memorable 3 months of my life. We worked hard and played hard and one couldn't ask for a better combination than the one between our main instructors, Ben and Heather. Ben's program is an excellent starting block for any future dog training that you wish to use to further your career.

Melanie Tucker
London, England
Email: melanie.tucker@yahoo.co.uk

Business is wonderful. I am so glad that I took your course. It has changed my life in ways that I never dreamed possible. I am into my fourth (or fifth?) group class, and my next one is booked, and I am starting to book into the new year. And believe it or not, I haven't advertised yet!!!!

Cara Scott
Miramichi, New Brunswick
Email: doglady@rogers.com

I am very happy to have learned in your course. I really want to recommend this course to others. I shall never forget what you taught me. Thank you so much.

Shinobu Saito
Tokyo, Japan

Taking the Professional Dog Trainers Program was one of the best decisions I ever made! It enabled me to follow through with my dream of working with dogs, and now, having graduated, I truly enjoy my job.

The program itself was a fantastic experience that I will never forget. The many awesome field trips around Victoria and all the laughs, good times, and new friendships (with both the people AND their dogs!) made it feel more like a vacation than a course. The bond that you form with your dog, whether it's your own or a "loaner dog", is amazing.

I've graduated the program with a deeper understanding of our canine friends and the knowledge to turn my passion into my career. I'm so thankful that I had the opportunity to take Ben's program and steer my life in the direction I wanted it to go.

Tasia MacKay
Victoria, BC

After a lot of contemplation and internal negotiations, during the summer of 2007 I finally decided to take the leap, to follow my heart, and to become a professional dog trainer. It was something I had toyed with for years, but had never really taken seriously until my heart gave me an ultimatum I couldn't refuse: either stay in my current job and keep feeling unhappy or follow my heart and enjoy my career. After finally giving in to my heart's desires I knew that finding the right school couldn't be taken lightly. I diligently researched my options to determine value for money, dog training techniques used, and expertise of the trainers. After all was said and done, I couldn't find a program that was comparable to Ben's. His training videos really blew me away! I kept showing my friends and saying, "Check this out!" It was the first program that actually got me even more excited to embark on my journey.

After taking the program I can say that my expectations were more than met. I gained a wealth of knowledge through the many field and classroom based experiences the program had to offer. I was fortunate enough to have been taught by a variety of instructors and guest speakers, in particular Ben and Heather. Both of them were experienced, knowledgeable, friendly, and inspirational. Most importantly, they took the time to make this a personalized learning experience. They were more than happy to provide continuous support and encouragement that went above and beyond that of a traditional instructional program.

Overall, I learned a great deal about dog behaviour and training and have been inspired to keep learning from my experiences as well as from my new mentors, Ben and Heather.

Kirsten Ali
Victoria, BC

Thank you so much for helping me get to where I am today.  Without your course and all the extra help I would still be installing furnaces and walking my dog at midnight and six am to avoid other dogs! 

Carol Forster
Alberta, Canada

I signed up for Ben's program with big expectations. I went in to it with the attitude that I was going to get everything out of it I could, squeezing out every bit of knowledge and experience that was available. The hands on experience, business knowledge, theory, guest speakers and terrific staff made for a great 12 weeks.

I will always be grateful to Ben and his team for the opportunities they provided me which brought me to where I am today. I am now co owner of a company and am running my own business. I wouldn't trade it for anything! It is hard to describe how it feels to be doing something you love to do instead of something you have to do. Our careers consume a huge amount of our time and life and I am so lucky that I feel like it is time well spent. Feel  free to contact me if you have questions."

Cheryl Hughes
Mill Bay, BC
cherylhughes@shaw.ca

Having trained my own dogs under other trainers, I expected similar things when I signed up for Ben's professional trainer's program. I was very pleased to discover Ben was using a completely different method that was more in tune with how dogs naturally think and communicate. Being able to teach clients how their dogs think while teaching them how to train has been a wonderful experience that has opened up other doors for me. I have been able to work with the local SPCA, helping the staff learn different ways to deal with behaviour problems in an effort to create a better chance for finding good homes, as well as helping with their annual fund raising event by doing demonstrations and short lessons on teaching tricks. There has also been opportunity to do demonstrations and shows for other events both locally and in neighboring communities, including the privilege of working with a church teaching a set of classes where all the money above costs was donated to a group that is working to rebuild hospitals, schools and roads in Liberia.

Having the knowledge and expertise to be able to not only help individual dog owners, but to give to others as well, has been a blessing beyond what I hoped for when I signed up for Ben's program.

Shawna Twa
shawnatwa@gmail.com

All I can say is that I am so glad I made the decision to change career paths! Like most people, I have spent my life so far trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. As a dog trainer I am now in a position to help people keep their dogs by solving the problem behaviors that would otherwise have them in the quiet back room of the vet clinic.

Now that I have this skill I will spend the rest of my life putting it to good use.  Most of the other programs I found when researching a school to attend were far more expensive and covered fewer aspects of dog training. I met so many great people during this program, and learned so much from the instructors as well as the other students and guest speakers. I came to the program with a little American Pit Bull Terrier who was welcomed into the group without discrimination. I can't put into words how much I appreciate their respect for ALL breeds. Plus the training venues were beautiful...on the beach one day, at a castle the next!

After taking Ben's professional trainers program I am happy to report that work is going great! I finish each day knowing that I have made a positive change in the lives of dogs and their owners. I am so pleased with the rapid results I am able to provide my clients with. I was hired by Ben right after the program ended. I have put the training techniques from the program into practice and they actually work! I only graduated 3 weeks ago and I am already working nearly full time. Thank you so much for helping me find my calling and giving me the tools, experience and confidence to do it well!

Heather Barron
Victoria, BC
heatherbarron1@hotmail.com

Since graduating from Ben Kersen's Professional Dog Trainers Program, I have helped clients with basic obedience and also taken jobs within the film industry. I found Ben's techniques extremely adaptable and easily passed on to clients and their animals. The program would be definitely beneficial to anybody wanting to work with animals.

Georgina Bradley
Vancouver, BC

Business is wonderful. I am so glad that I took your course. It has changed my life in ways that I never dreamed possible. I am into my fourth (or fifth?) group class, and my next one is booked, and I am starting to book into the new year. And believe it or not, I haven't advertised yet!!!!

Cara Scott
Miramichi, New Brunswick
doglady@rogers.com

When I signed up for this course, I assumed you were only going to teach us how to train a variety of dogs and lecture us on various training topics as we took notes. I was thrilled to find out that you had produced for us training manuals complete with group session theory notes and the numerous other things we need to do/know as trainers. I would have to say that my absolute favorite memory of the course (aside from playing multiple frisbee), would be getting to teach Ben's group class. It was only for a few minutes, but it was awesome to get to do it and to find out that I'm capable of doing it.

Darcie Jennings
Victoria, BC

Your methods really work, and best of all, they work fast. What I find intriguing is that we not only learned how to train dogs, but how to understand them. You really know your stuff, and I completely respect and admire your passion for dogs and their well-being. Thank you so much for offering this awesome opportunity.
Lynn Lefave
Victoria, BC

Truly a gifted, results-oriented trainer, Ben effortlessly combines his dog training practices with a teaching style that is professional, effective, and fun! After comparing several training institutes, it was Ben's positive, energizing, 'praise-and-play' approach that sealed my decision to temporarily relocate to Victoria to attend his program. Again, thanks to Ben Kersen for sharing his many years of successes, and developing the Professional Dog Trainers Program.

Update: - January 2006 WOW!!! the end of 2005 already!!! Time surely does fly when you're having fun. So hey, how's this? I finished off this year (so far) having worked with a total of 240 new dogs! (and still a couple of weeks to go) Lately I've been booking spots for classes 2 months in advance! Thanks Ben, couldn't have done it without you!

Al Whitlam
Comox, BC

I've always admired your technique of training and your knowledge about dog psychology. You use positive reinforcement when training, which is the best way to make a dog love training time. Your training techniques are amazingly fast and effective. I'm so grateful that I have had this opportunity to learn from you. You're an amazing trainer and teacher.
Pamela Reid
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in your Professional Dog Trainers Program. You gave me the confidence to rise to any challenge my dog Cyrus presented. He now responds beautifully to my commands and I am amazed at how quickly he has learned tricks. In turn, I will be able to apply your methods to other dogs and create more canine good citizens. I am excited, and looking forward to starting my own business that I love. Thank you so much for the push, the drive, and the influence
.
Sandra Campbell
Abbotsford, BC

Entertainment

The show that you and the "Wonderdogs" put on, is action packed and we appreciate how you involve the audience....the way you adapt your show to your surroundings, and the occasion, is also really neat! The trick in which Fozie leads the draft horse across the ring is great, and the crowd loves it. Every year we have more and more people asking when and where your performance will be.
Mark McMillan, Extra Attractions Coordinator, Saanich Fair, Saanich, BC

It was certainly wonderful to have you and your talented canines at this year's America's Family Pet Show .The crowds certainly enjoyed the shows you presented. It is because of shows like yours that our show is such a huge success.
Doug Poindexter, Show Manager, America's Family Pet Show

Thank you ... for the outstanding performance with your "Wonderdogs" at Sidney Days. The children were delighted by your usual excellent entertainment and the ability and training of the dogs. It is entertainers like you who keep people returning to the programs offered by Peninsula Recreation.
Sue Tomio, Sidney Days Events Coordinator, Sidney, BC

...many people see your show as the "major event." I want to thank you again for the fine show.
Glenda Wilkinson, Community Recreation Coordinator, Peninsula Recreation, Sidney, BC

That was the best visiting show that the children have experienced for years.
Bob Tomlinson, Principal, Tillicum Elementary School, Victoria, BC

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Miscellaneous

...thank you for helping with our Fido [cell phone] promotion .... Watching customers react to [your dogs] was wonderful! There wasn't one person who didn't smile at their presence. As well, a number of them stayed in the store longer than they typically would have without the dogs here. The dogs were also a positive factor to our sales team. From a morale standpoint, they loved having the dogs around. From a sales standpoint, we sold more Fido phones on that day than we had ever sold on one day before (a 400% increase!) I am excited about having the Wonderdogs back to the store for other promotions as the year continues.
Walter Nicholson, Marketing Manager, CompuSmart, Victoria, BC

...thank you for your excellent work on the Island Farms commercial we shot in the fall of 1999. Your dogs performed admirably, and learned the difficult trick in very little time. The final commercial is a great success, and the client is thrilled. I look forward to working with you again.
Andrew Samuel, Copeland Communications, Victoria, B.C.

...thank you for the great job you did in providing us with excellent "canine" talent for our recent advertising campaign for Centra Gas. Your professionalism and ability to achieve what we were looking for in a very timely and cost effective manner was really appreciated. I look forward to working with you again, and would not hesitate in recommending you to any other company looking for your services.
Deborah Bowman, Broughton Communications Group, Victoria, BC

Ben made the photo shoot with his star actor "Shylo" as easy as rolling out of bed on a beautiful summer morning. We are thrilled with the results and think this campaign will be very strong for us. I wish all the models we ever worked with were that well behaved. Thanks Ben and Shylo. We couldn't have done it without you.
Lidia Laidlaw, Marketing Manager, Harbour Towers Hotel and Ocean Point Resort Hotel and Spa, Victoria, BC

Ben displayed a high level of initiative as he was the driving force to promote the seminar and ensure that many Scottsdale citizens benefited from this new concept in dog training .
Doug Nesselroad, Recreation Coordinator, City of Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

... during your visit to our institution here in Brussels, [we were] able to appreciate the work you performed in dog training. We certainly witnessed a real demonstration of obedience exercises. Even though we are experts in this field, we were all favorably impressed with your exercises that demonstrated diligent and methodical work on your part.
A. Gualunet, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Director of the Dog Training Squad & Dog Training School Police Academy, Brussels, Belgium

Ben has always been very passionate in his love for dogs and in his desire to help others become the best dog owners that they possibly can be.
Erin K. Simpson, 1997 Canadian Schutzhund II Champion
Victoria, B.C.

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