One Team. One Partnership. One Purpose.
A successful service or therapy dog team does not happen by accident.
It is built through trust, communication, consistency, training, education, teamwork, and support.
NOSDA and Paws 4 Resiliency are proud to work together to help build those teams and to support the people and communities they serve.
Together, we are strengthening the human–dog bond, developing confident handlers, promoting responsible training, and building pathways toward greater independence, connection, and resiliency.
NOSDA × Paws 4 Resiliency
Collaboration. Training. Support. Resiliency.
Building stronger teams for stronger communities.
Our Certified Trainers
Catherine
Head Therapy Dog Journeywomen Trainer
Specialties: Task Training in therapy dogs
Catherine brings years of canine therapy expertise to masterfully guide advanced service therapy dog task-training. She uses treats, obedience training and government approved training from Paws 4 Resiliency. She loves empowering other trainers to train their dogs. It's absolutely rewarding watching a trainer and their dog make progress and reach their goals. Catherine brings K9 First Aid Qualifications to the team.
Eric
Head Service Dog Journeyman Trainer
Specialties: government approved license "In Progress"
Eric brings years experience with dogs from shelter and breeder backgrounds, alongside practical experience training his own service dogs. His personal journey as a service dog trainer has deepened his commitment to canine advocacy and the partnership between people and dogs. Eric is working toward his government license under the PAWS 4 Resiliency foundation to become service dog trainer. He brings hands on experience from training, his own service dogs and is continuing to develop his skills as he works towards certification in Ontario and across Canada
Rachel
Head Operations Coordinator Journeywomen Trainer
Specialties: Communications and task training in advanced dogs
Rachel brings experience working with puppies and strong-willed dogs, helping handlers build clear communication, consistent routines and strong foundations. Alongside her training role, she co-ordinates NOSDA's day to day operations, supporting an organized, welcoming environment where dogs and their handlers can learn to grow together. Rachel brings K9 First Aid Qualifications to the team.
Head First Aid Journeywomen Trainer
Nancy
Specialties: Medical Aid trainer and government approved license "in progress"
Nancy is a registered nurse and knows standard first aid care for dogs and handlers. She brings knowledge to our team with knowledge of using Naloxone kits for our dogs and handlers. She's taken the train the trainer course with the PAWS 4 Resiliency foundation and her dog can pass as a certified dog within the foundation for service work. Nancy has put in alot of time and training into her dog and most importantly it shows she has the skills to be a professional trainer.
PAW PATROL
Head PAW PATROL Trainer
Specialties: WALKING, OBEDIENCE, HUGS & KISSES
Loves her dogs, enjoys walking them with the group. Daily hugs and kisses for her dogs. Enjoys to play fetch with commands.
Luc
Journeyman Trainer
Specialties: sport games, obedience, off-leash
Luc brings experience by working with dogs off leash and recall. He helps handlers who struggle with day to day dog manners. He shows how to build a bond with your dog with using toys, frisbees or water sport toys. Luc keeps a consistent routine with training. He uses Governement Approved training from PAWS 4 Resiliency. Luc brings K9 First Aid Qualifications to the team.
Diane
Head Obedience Journeywomen Trainer
Specialties: Structure training for ultimate results, Hunting training
Diane's passion for animals began at a young age and has remained a lifelong commitment. "I take pride" in building trust, developing strong partnerships, and using thoughtful, effective approaches to animal training and care. With more then 20 years of hands-on experience riding, developing, and training horses, I have cultivated extensive knowledge and a deep understanding of animals behaviour and training. I have. also trained and worked my own personal dogs, continually expanding my skills through ongoing learning and the exploration of new techniques. She's taken the train the trainer course with the PAWS 4 Resiliency foundation.
Angela
Head Mobility Journeywomen Trainer
SPECIALTIES: SERVICE DOG & HANDLER TRAINING, PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE DOGS, FIRST RESPONDER SUPPORT, OPERATIONAL STRESS INJURY SUPPORT, MOBILITY ASSISTANCE
Angela Davis-Witty is a decorated police officer, experienced facilitator, advocate, and community leader with a career spanning public safety, victim advocacy, mental health, investigations, and trauma-informed practice.
Her professional experience includes supporting victims and survivors of violent crime, vulnerable individuals, including Indigenous community and people affected by mental health challenges, operational stress injuries, and trauma. She brings a strong understanding of the potential role of connection, purpose, and appropriately trained dogs in supporting individuals on their recovery journeys.
Following her cancer diagnosis and extensive treatment, Angela stepped away from her professional responsibilities to focus on her health and recovery. She continues to contribute to her community through limited and flexible volunteer activities that respect her ongoing recovery and treatment needs.
Angela has completed Paws4Resiliency Train-the-Trainer education in obedience, therapy, and service-dog training. She is passionate about continuing to train her own dog for service work and helping others explore how appropriately trained dogs may support mental health, operational stress injuries, trauma recovery, and mobility-related needs.
Angela brings professional expertise, lived experience, compassion, and a commitment to helping others build resilience, independence, connection, and quality of life through the human–canine partnership. Angela’s commitment to service has been recognized through several distinguished Canadian honours, including the Governor General of Canada’s Medal of Bravery, the Police Exemplary Service Medal, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Bella
Tween Journeywomen Trainer
Specialties: Train the trainer program certified
Bella has already gained over 4+ years of experience with training her own dogs. She has helped family and friends and enjoys walking dogs on the side in our community. She has taken the train the trainer programs with the PAWS foundation and is excelling at her new skills. She enjoys working dogs with drive and speed. She has the skills to be a professionsl one day- most likely before she hits the age of 19! If your looking for someone local for house sitting shes your best option! Get your teens in with Bella she will be hosting her own classes!
Jamie
Master Trainer PAWS 4 Resiliency Partner
Specialties: Government OFFICIAL trainer
Paws 4 Resiliency is based in Alberta and provides specialized dog and handler training with a focus on service dog, therapy dog, obedience, and resiliency-oriented programming.
NOSDA's partnership with Paws 4 Resiliency provides access to a structured training framework and shared professional standards while supporting the development of local capacity in Northern Ontario.
Northern Ontario Service Dog Alliance
NOSDA is committed to strengthening access to education, resources, training, collaboration, and community support for individuals who may benefit from service dog, therapy dog, or other appropriately trained human–dog partnerships.
Together, NOSDA and Paws 4 Resiliency are working toward a collaborative model that brings training, education, support, standards, and community connection together.
NOSDA & Paws 4 Resiliency support structured service for dog and handler training designed around the needs of each individual team