Lynne’s passion for animals began on her family farm in Manitoba, where she spent her childhood surrounded by farm dogs, cats, and various other animals. This early connection to animals sparked a lifelong interest in understanding behavior and building trust-based relationships. After moving to British Columbia, Lynne worked in the Insurance and Financial sectors while continuing her volunteer work at the Grouse Mountain Refuge Centre with Ken Macquisten, caring for orphaned grizzly bears and endangered spotted owls. She also worked closely with the Humane Society and later pursued Natural Horsemanship, which further deepened her understanding of animal behavior.

 

In 2010, after the loss of her 11-year-old dog to cancer, Lynne adopted a lively new puppy, which inspired her to explore professional dog training. This journey led her to find her mentor, Maureen Fielding of K9 Leadership, whose guidance steered Lynne toward earning certification with the Certification Council of Pet Dog Trainers (CCPDT) which is the leading independent certifying organization for the dog training profession. The CCPDT is the leader in the development of rigorous exams to demonstrate mastery of humane, science-based dog training practices. Combining her years of hands-on animal experience with her formal training, Lynne discovered her true passion for helping dog owners build strong, positive relationships with their pets.

 

As a certified professional dog trainer, Lynne is committed to using positive, force-free training methods backed by the latest science. She continually expands her knowledge through seminars at the Karen Pryor Academy and other professional development opportunities to stay current with evolving research on canine behavior. Lynne’s training philosophy focuses on providing effective, client-centered solutions tailored to each dog’s unique needs.

 

Lynne is deeply dedicated to teaching dogs to be Good Canine Citizens and has earned the role of Temperament Assessor and Evaluator for Companion Paws Canada Therapy Dogs in the Okanagan area. She supports the integration of dogs into homes and communities by fostering well-rounded, confident pets and works closely with rescue centres.

 

Her diverse experience with animals—from domestic pets to wildlife—gives Lynne a unique perspective on behavior, empathy, and patience. She is also well-versed in scent detection training, which she actively pursued with her late dog, Jaxson, Ch., CGN., CW-SP, (2010 - 2023), who remains deeply missed.

 

Lynne is known for her ability to connect with both dogs and their owners. She is highly respected in the community and frequently referred by veterinarians, breeders, and rescue centers for her ethical approach to training and her commitment to creating strong, trusting relationships between dogs and their families.

 

Outside of training, Lynne enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, paddle boarding, biking, skiing, horseback riding, and practicing yoga.