Animals have been an integral part of Vanessa’s life, starting from a very young age. As a child her immense passion for horses and riding consumed every waking moment. Joining the Campbell Valley Pony Club at the age of 12 led her into the world of competitive 3-day-eventing.

Her father is a retired Vancouver Police Officer from the department’s Dog Squad, so for as long as she can remember, she has been surrounded by bold, working German Shepherds. Deeply involved in the puppies’ early training and socialization, spending many evenings and weekends laying scent tracks for the pups, crate training them and teaching them to play tug. After their first pup made it into formal Service Dog Training, Vanessa dedicated her “free time” to laying longer, more challenging tracks and (reluctantly) aiding in bite training.

During high school the love of animals drove Vanessa to become a kennel assistant at the local veterinary clinic, which in turn motivated her to apply to University after graduation to become an Animal Health Technician.

In 2008, Vanessa graduated as a Registered Animal Health Technician from Thompson Rivers University. Although the new career allowed her to help animals on an entirely new level, the number of dogs that were being surrendered to shelters or euthanized based on behavioral issues was overwhelming.

Determined to find another way to aid these animals to possess long, happy lives, she began looking for a credible dog training programs that would teach her how to resolve behavioral issues. After attending one of fellow KPA-CTP Julie Shaw’s lectures at a veterinary conference, Vanessa learned about the Karen Pryor Academy and went on to pursue formal certification as a force free dog trainer.

Vanessa has since added other certifications and logs numerous continuing education hours every year.

Launching Sit Pretty Pet Services in Fort St John, BC in 2013, Vanessa now resides in Prince George, BC, with her husband Chris, their two daughters, and their rescue dog, Kaslo.

In her spare time Vanessa is a foster parent for the BC SPCA, and enjoys reading and various writing projects.

Vanessa is proud to be one of only two trainers in Northern BC to become BC SPCA AnimalKind Accredited.

In addition to her formal education, Vanessa has attended dog training and animal behavior seminars around North America, learning from experts in the field such as Ken Ramirez and Ken & Debbie Martin

Diploma in Veterinary Technology

KPA-CTP, Graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy for Dog Trainers

CTC, Graduate of the Academy for Dog Trainers

Aggression in Dogs Master Course, Certificate of Completion

Fear Free Certified Professional

Living & Learning with Animals with Dr. Susan Friedman

Registered Veterinary Technologist with the BCVTA

BC SPCA Accredited Trainer through AnimalKind