Cheryl Smith, Director/Owner & Canine Behaviour Specialist

Author of "Biting, Barking, Lunging, Growling" (retraining an anxious fearful dog without intimidation)

Charter member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and has spoken at their conferences in Memphis; Houston; St. Louis; Chicago and Portland (OR)

Conducted highly acclaimed workshops and seminars in Canada and the USA and Japan since 1994: LA, San Francisco, Portland, Chicago, Indianapolis, Columbus, Richmond VA, Washington DC, San Diego, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Moncton, Pickering, Kingston, Kemptville, Ottawa, Toronto, Port Hope, Sudbury, Barrie and Thunder Bay

Recognized as an expert witness by Canadian courts in areas of dog aggression

Member of an international committee sponsored by the American Humane Society and the Delta Society to establish ethics and professional standards for dog trainers

Member of the Board of Directors of RDOG (Responsible Dog Owners of Canada; TPOC (Therapeutic Paws of Canada

Acclaimed and quoted as being "One of the Top Trainers" by Dr. Ian Dunbar, currently owns and operates Urika Dog Behaviour Consultants and Forever Friends Dog Training School in Ontario

Currently shares her home in Kemptville with her Chihuahua, Chica, two German Shepherds, Callida and Drago and five cats, Laylah, Sundancer, Moonshadow, Clyde Spiritwalker and Mr. Doodad

Calvin Thompson, Senior Instructor

I began studying dog behaviour in 1994, and love the work I do with dogs and their owners. I emphasize positive reinforcement when training dogs, and increasing the owners’ understanding of why the dog is behaving in a particular manner. Together, these strengthen the learning process, and increase the results we want to achieve.

Training can be successful and fun at the same time, and can intensify the bond between owner and pet. Helping people connect with their pet is one of my favorite things to do. It’s rewarding for me to see happy people and happy pets, friends forever.

Background: Calvin has been an automotive technician since 1973, and is recently enjoying an early retirement from this career. His hobbies include breeding canaries and gouldian finches, and he also enjoys growing orchids, roses and african violets. Cal's original forever friend was Murphy, a Chocolate Lab. Cal has taken canine behaviour seminars with Turid Rugas, Cheryl Smith, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Roger Hild, Chris Bach, Kay Lawrence, Ann Lill Kvam, and Pamela Reid, and attended numerous Animal Behaviour Symposiums at Guelph University. Calvin is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and the Canadian chapter (CAPPDT)

Finola Pitcher, Instructor

Finola effectively applies the learning theory from her University days at Queens' to companion-dog training. After growing up with Ryan, her family's black lab mix, she vowed she would never have an untrained dog. Ryan had a wonderful temperament, but was still limited in his freedoms because of his lack of obedience training.

When Finola first went to an obedience class with her own dog she knew she didn't want to jerk and pull and use "corrections" and "pops on the collar". After being introduced to Chris Bach and the "Third Way of Training" a light bulb went off and she knew she had found the fascinating connection between learning theory and dog training through the use of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement. By using a hands off approach and voluntary compliance she believes you get deep and long-lasting results because good behaviour habits are formed.

Finola is a member of the Canadian Association of Rally Obedience and volunteers her own time to ring steward at obedience "Fun Matches". She wants to promote responsible dog guardianship through education, training classes, and just plain fun times with your dog such as Rally 'O', scenting work or playing fetch.

Finola lives in Ottawa with her yellow lab mix, Soda and uses her expertise to provide excellent foster care to several Rescue organizations.

Jamie Thompson, Instructor

Throughout my childhood I have lived in a multiple dog households. Of course that's not including the cats, rabbits, birds, fish and reptiles.

Outside the animal world I have some great learning experiences. For six and a half years I was a medic in the Army Reserve. Presently I am an Automotive Technician at Turpin Pontiac Buick GMC.

When I was first seriously looking for my first dog in early 2002 I started researching dog breeds, training techniques, and dog behaviour. Thanks to Calvin and my questioning of him about our canine friends I found myself discovering Forever Friends and Cheryl Smith to help guide me through the training techniques, learning theories, and everything else I didn't know to learn about earlier.

Hope to see you in class!

Suzanne Rossignol, Instructor

Suzannne Rossignol is a welcome addition to the staff at Forever friends. She is a graduate of Ottawa University and currently teaches Physical Education. In 2007, she was honoured by her school board for 'Excellence' in her teaching. She is a member of CKC and The Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers. Her interest in dog training has resulted in her achieving titles in Obedience, Agility and Tracking on several of her dogs. Her skill has enabled her to train two dogs to the Mission Ready status in Search and Rescue. Suzanne and her dogs Diva and Petra have been accredited with several finds.

Suzanne is committed to teaching methods and techniques that enhance her relationship with her dogs and provide the maximum opportunity to learn. Recently she became interested in Tellington Touch and has received her certification as a Ttouch practitioner. Please meet Suzanne with her dog Petra.

Meghan Scott, Instructor

We would like to welcome the newest addition to the Forever Friends and Urika Family. Meghan Scott has been apprenticing as an instructor with Forever Friends for almost a year now and has just recently begun instructing Basic and Puppy Family Pet Training classes. Meghan is well immersed in dog rescue, and regularly fosters dogs in need. Clients have found Meghan to be a friendly and informative teacher. We welcome her to the family, and look forward to her valuable contributions.

Brad Martin, Instructor

I am a 29 year old mixed breed, Canadian-British, male. I spent six and a half years serving in the regular army (school of obedience… ha ha) as a mechanized infantry soldier and now plan to become a member of the RCMP. I hope to serve on an ERT team (emergency response team… a.k.a. SWAT) and of course on a K-9 patrol unit!

I have been a dog training apprentice since 2003. During which time I have learned techniques for training in obedience, Schutzhund, and protection work. In my spare time I have spent countless hours reading and learning as much as I can about canine behavior and the art that is dog training. Wanting to take my learning beyond personal interest, I enrolled in the ABC Basic Obedience Instructor Course, late in 2004. This course is based entirely on positive reinforcement training techniques and I am officially scheduled for completion in the coming months. Currently I am under the tutelage of Cheryl and Calvin and could not be more pleased with the effectiveness of the techniques which I am learning from them!!

Within my family, my position as pack-leader is consistently being challenged by my companion, Ruby; a female “Heinz 57”. Her mother is a Rottweiler-Shepherd mix and her father is a Bull-Mastiff. Ruby, the runt of her litter, is now just a bit over two and half years of age. We have been together since she was eight weeks old and although her stubbornness is comparable to my own, she has given me loyalty, fond memories, fun times, and love…

Brad is currently serving with our troops in Afghanistan and we look forward to his safe return to his family and new son.

Jessica O'Neill, Behaviour Consultant

Jessica O’Neill has been working as a professional Animal Behaviour Consultant for 2 years, and is no stranger to the Pet Care Industry. Now recognized as an expert witness for the Provincial Court System, Jessica has boarded, fostered, bred, owned and worked with many different types of animals throughout her life. She has worked along side Cheryl Smith as an apprentice for over a year, and previous to that completed an intensive 3 year theoretical online behaviour and training study program with the Companion Animal Science Institute. Jessica lives with her three Potbelly Pigs (Abby-Pig, Booca & Charlotte), and her three dogs Taz (Boston Terrier), Jables (Boston Mix) and Nessy (Pug). She has two human children, boys ages 4 and 6. Jessica provides behaviour & training boarding in her home.

Check out her website: www.petbehaviour.net