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Staff and Volunteers
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Details about the human side of the Canine Campus:
Who we are, and how we got here
Joann
Bergeron, founder and trainer
Joann grew up in Kamloops, B.C. and lived for several
years in Calgary. She and her husband moved to Westbank 5 years ago, she
says, “ because of the friendly people and great weather.”
A dog owner for most of her life, Joann has always had a passion for
working with animals, especially dogs. The idea of caring for dogs
for a living struck her while she was still living in Calgary, and
later on she thought about opening her own business on the Westside.
Joann completed and conducted a market survey and a series of
personal interviews,
confirming a need for dog daycare services on the Westside. Next,
she set about doing extensive research into the dog daycare business
and completed a dog obedience trainer course.
Joann trained in the proven and successful Companion Concept
Program.
This program is set up to help dog owners develop a strong working
relationship with their dogs, incorporating positive training
methods with a focus on a "play and praise" reward system. Joann has
developed a good working knowledge of dog breeds, dog breed groups
and canine behaviour, and also completed a certificate course in Pet
First Aid.
Through the Community Futures Business Plan Development Program,
Joann’s concept of a dog daycare and training centre developed into
a viable business idea. In the spring of 2006, the Canine Campus Dog
Daycare and School was founded on the Westside, in a central
location near Highway 97 and Bartley Road.
The need for dog daycare in this area has been proven- the Canine
Campus gets busier every month, and patrons say their dogs are often
“panting to get in the door!” |
