Pooch Peacebuilding Professional Course
Train & Transform Together
A living philosophy and daily practice that helps dogs and people live peacefully.
There’s Always More to the Story
I Lived with The Elephant aka Lessons from the Dog Who Changed How I See the Whole System
In May of 2011, when I rescued my late dog Mouse from the Bow Valley SPCA in Canmore, Alberta, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Mouse had spent the better part of his first two years in the shelter after being found on a “walkabout” near the Trans-Canada Highway.
Within a very short time of bringing Mouse home, I found myself facing an elephant in the room that I did not yet have a name for. There was a constant tension between who Mouse was and who I wanted him to be. His behaviour challenges, including separation anxiety, aggression, jumpy-mouthy behaviours, and generalized anxiety, quickly became a source of overwhelm, helplessness, disappointment, and heartbreak.
Despite being a professional trainer and my best efforts, we kept getting stuck, back in the same place, or facing a new problem behaviour on an endless laundry list. It always felt like we were just treading water. I was drowning.
That same tension followed me into my professional work. Theory clashed with the messy reality of working with dogs and people. I thought it was me. I was not skilled enough. I did not know the science well enough. I needed more education. I almost left the industry.
And then Something Shifted
Desperate for answers, I started down the proverbial rabbit trail. I humbled myself, put aside everything I thought I knew about dogs, training, and behaviour, and said to Mouse, “I see you.” He responded, “I am here.” From this crisis, I began to see the system. I started to see Mouse’s behaviours not as problems to fix, but as part of a living, breathing system.
I started to see the web of relationships, the invisible threads connecting everything, and the constant ebb and flow: excitement and calm, approach and retreat, peace and conflict.
I paused. I listened. I started to see Mouse. To work with the system in real-time, not against it.
Over time, I realized something that changed everything.
The solution is not outside the system. It emerges from within the system.
Introducing Pooch Peacebuilding
Pooch Peacebuilding is a living philosophy and daily practice that helps dogs and people live peacefully together. Born from my experience with Mouse and grounded in systems theory, peace and conflict studies, and system’s research methodology, it is both deeply scientific and highly practical.
This framework gives dog professionals the tools to:
See the dog, family, and behaviour in context
Sense the natural dynamics and ebbs and flows of the system
Understand the universal logic that underlies all systems
Implement daily disciplines to become generative peacebuilders
Think and problem-solve in ways that mirror the system itself
Support dogs and people so growth emerges from within the system (no more burnout)
Co-create emergent training plans inspired by the dogs and people you work with (no more client compliance issues)
Integrate your education, experience, and intuition into a cohesive, flowing practice
Face the elephants in the room and turn them into catalysts for growth
Pooch Peacebuilding helps you carve a path to transformation through the complexity of life with dogs and people. It gives you the freedom to work beyond the boxes while still applying proven approaches.
Join the Founders Cohort
This is a one-time live (via Zoom) experience designed to give you the full Pooch Peacebuilding experience:
Learn directly in community with me and a small group of dog pros
Participate in weekly live sessions for 10 weeks, combining teaching, reflection, mentorship, and real-world application
Be part of the continuing story of Pooch Peacebuilding
Shape the course for future learners and leave your mark on the framework
Receive a Pooch Peacebuilding Professional Certificate upon completion, demonstrating your expertise in this transformative approach
Founders Tuition: $500 CAD (approximately $350 USD) This is the lowest rate this course will ever be offered at. After this cohort, the course becomes self-paced, evergreen, and tuition increases to $1200 CAD.
Attend Live, Get the Full Experience
Live sessions give you real-time feedback, interactive exercises, and peer connection. These are things a recording cannot replicate. Recordings are available only if you must miss a session, as a safety net. The full impact of Pooch Peacebuilding comes when you show up and engage live.
November 13, 2025 - February 12, 2026
Cohort Schedule
Week 1 (Orientation): Thursday, November 13
Week 2 (Framework): Thursday, November 20
Week 3 (Map I): Thursday, November 27
Week 4 (Map II): Thursday, December 4
Week 5 (Dynamics): Thursday, December 11
Week 6: (Cycle) Thursday, January 15, 2026
Week 7 (Pillars I) : Thursday, January 22, 2026
Week 8 (Pillars II) Thursday, January 29, 2026
Week 9: (Universal Logic) Thursday, February 5, 2026
Week 10 (Wrap Up): Thursday, February 12, 2026
One-time Founders tuition secures your spot at the lowest rate this course will ever be offered. After this cohort, the course becomes self-paced, evergreen, and tuition increases.
Step into the Story
Join the Founders Cohort and experience Pooch Peacebuilding live. See dogs, people, and your work in a whole new way. Explore the terrain, face the elephants, and leave with clarity, tools, and practices that transform your approach and your life.
Reserve your spot today and be part of the story.
Why Sign Up for Pooch Peacebuilding
See the big picture (dog and behaviour in context)
Navigate conflict with confidence
Reduce burnout!
Create lasting, sustainable change
Train with science & intuition
Expert coaching and mentorship with Cat
Renew your passion and purpose
Set yourself apart from the crowd