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Meet the Team

Leesa Westwood (CCBC-KA, FFC)

Owner

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Leesa began her formal training in the fall of 2014, when she adopted a dog with behavioural problems. Leesa and Hades began working with a trainer who saw her potential and brought her on as an apprentice. Over the past few years she has taken several courses and seminars and has been certified as a professional dog trainer by the Certified Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). As an addition to training, she has worked with dog daycares, rescues, and pet stores, expanding her knowledge and experience in all things dog related. The science and art of dog training is an ever-changing field, and she is constantly furthering her knowledge and education to better serve her clients and the dogs she works with.

Leesa believes strongly in positive reinforcement dog training. This means that she does not use any kind of force, intimidation or fear tactics to get a dog to do what she wants. Instead, she work with your dogs natural instincts and thought processes to communicate what she wants and to teach them to make better decisions through reward based training.

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Ali Nederhoed (CPDT-KA)

Trainer, Director of Operations & Staff Training Supervisor

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When Ali first knew she wanted to work with dogs she started volunteering at various vet clinics to learn as much as she could. She also worked at several dog grooming and daycare facilities until deciding that training was her passion. Since becoming a certified professional dog trainer in 2020 Ali has continued her education through many seminars, courses, conferences and has even studied canine nutrition with a holistic approach. She now competes in several dog sports including Frisbee, Dock Diving and Skijoring with her Golden Retriever Sunny. Ali loves working with dogs on anything from aggression to puppy basics and helping owners reconnect and see the potential in their dogs.

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Mishel Grinko (CPDT-KA)

Trainer

Mishel's love for animals started with horses and has led her to dog training! She has been working with dogs for the past eight years in a boarding facility and is now pursuing dog training specifically with Pliant Pack. Mishel's knowledge of horse training has benefited her with dogs and has taught her patience with even the most stubborn of animals. Mishel enjoys working with dogs one on one and helping owners in group classes and private sessions. 

Lícia Guerra (CSTDTP)

Certified Service & Therapy Dog Training Professional

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Lícia has been passionate about dog behaviour since 2015 when she started studying to board dogs at her home. Her love for dogs and what motivates them led her to become a Professional Dog Trainer in 2017. 

She helped to organize, coordinate and support volunteers and their dogs during nursing home visitation, bringing the dogs and their love to elderly people.

Lícia is energetic, attentive to detail and always looks for ways to make sure the dog is comfortable during their activities.

Brianne Fast

Apprentice Trainer & Dog Boarder

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Brianne has had a passion for animals since she was a child and has had the pleasure of working with various species of animals for the last 15 years. Primarily working with marine mammals, Brianne has had so much fun expanding her experience using positive reinforcement training with dogs through Pliant Pack along with opening her home up for boarding dogs!

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Ashley Henderson

 Dog Boarder

Ashley has a great passion for animals of all shapes and sizes! Being from a small rural area outside the city, Ashley has been surrounded by all kinds of animals throughout her life, having experience with both livestock and small animals. Ashley has been dedicating the last 3 years to working towards receiving her Agricultural Science Degree in Animal Science! Cementing her passion and knowledge regarding proper animal nutrition and welfare. Ashley understands how important is it to create a safe and calm environment for your animal and hopes to help in any way she can!

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Spencer Lowes

Administrative Assistant

If you've had services with Pliant Pack you would have received an email or two from Spencer for payment as he looks after all our invoicing! Spencer has been with Pliant Pack since virtually the very beginning (off and on) and has held multiple positions during this time. He has loved getting to meet all your animals and getting to know their little quirks. Spencer’s current favourite part of the job is getting to see all the amazing names people choose for their pets!

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Lilia Johnson

Apprentice Trainer

Lilia has been passionate about dogs since she was a young child. She has volunteered for a local dog rescue at a spay and neuter clinic, as a foster and as an adoption events coordinator. Lilia previously worked in a pet store where she cared for grooming dogs and helped pet parents selecting the best supplies for their dog. Lilia is currently enrolled at the University of Manitoba for pre-veterinary medicine.

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Kenzie Sutton

Apprentice Trainer

Kenzie started her career with dogs as a dog daycare attendant where she managed large play groups with dogs of all sizes and temperaments. She chose to focus more on training and joined the Pliant Pack team! You can see Kenzie assisting in our group classes and working with your pups during their train & walks.

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Nicole Rusk

At-Home Boarder

Nicole has always had a love of the animals and of the outdoors. She studied biology in university, has volunteered with a wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary, and loves to see animals of other countries when she travels. She is currently an At-Home Boarder for Pliant Pack, and strives to make the animals as comfortable as possible and to give their owners peace of mind during their time away from home!

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Keely Nachtigall

Boarding Administrator, Boarder & Dog Walker/Apprentice Trainer

Keely began fostering in 2018 and has since foster failed with 3 dogs from 3 different rescues! She also owns 3 cats who enjoy the country life with their busy family of 6. Keely started working with Pliant Pack in 2022 and works in our boarding administration, as a dog boarder herself, and has joined the apprentice training team to also offer train & walks. One of her favourite parts of the job is matching dogs to the right boarding homes and receiving positive feedback about the care we have provided for their pet.

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Sydney Bear

Dog Walker/Apprentice Trainer and At Home Boarder

Sydney is an enthusiastic trainer who is always pushing to find new ways to challenge dogs. She is passionate about helping owners and is always their number one cheerleader in classes and private sessions. Sydney's passion is working with nervous dogs to help them come out of their shell through patience and positive environmental exposure.

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Rebecca Nanton

Dog Boarder

Rebecca  has experience working with high energy dogs and is Pet First Aid & CPR Certified. She offers a calm environment for dogs who may not like to socialize with other animals and provides them with patience and love so they can succeed!

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Ryan Bordian

Administrative Assistant & At-Home Boarder

Ryan is passionate about dogs and is one of our at-home boarders! He did an apprenticeship with Pliant Pack in 2021 and uses his skills when staying with nervous and reactive dogs. Ryan is able to answer any questions you may have regarding our services and is happy to help! 

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Kim McDiarmid

Human Resources Coordinator

Kim is our Human Resources Coordinator and takes care of all of Pliant Pack’s Human Resources and payroll needs, as well as occasionally taking in boarding dogs. She comes from a family of dog lovers, so developed a passion for dogs at a young age. Kim shares her home with three dogs and two cats, and has volunteered for a local rescue and fostered more than seventy dogs over the past twelve years! In her spare time, Kim enjoys hiking with her dogs and spending time at the family cottage, as well as widening her knowledge of pet and human nutrition, with a special interest in holistic/natural practices.

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Lacey White

 Dog Boarder

Lacey has always loved animals her entire life, growing up in the English countryside she's always been surrounded by pets of all sizes. When she moved to Canada she knew she wanted to do something to help animals so she started to foster and volunteer with rescues for around 5 years. After foster failing her little lady they put it on hold but soon figured out Moo needed some friends to play with so she joined Pliant Pack! Lacey is so excited and believes it’s so important to create a home away from home environment so owners can have a peace of mind while they are away!

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Amanda Pawliski

Dog Boarder

Amanda has been involved in the pet industry for over five years, working with both dogs and horses. She is currently working on training her horse Minnie with positive reinforcement based training. Amanda has a large fenced yard for all of her boarding dogs to run around in! 

Heather Penner

Dog Boarder

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Even as a small child Heather was always passionate about animals. In November of 2022 she rescued a miniature labradoodle, Bella, and has been enjoying using her knowledge of positive reinforcement training when dealing with behavioural challenges, training basic foundation behaviours, but most of all, helping  foster a strong and reliable relationship with her. Heather strongly believes in the value of behaviour modification techniques and she is excited to join the team where she can continue to learn and expand her existing skill sets with dogs.

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 Vivian is an absolute animal lover who is dedicated to provide a safe space and comfortable environment for your beloved pets whenever you need it. She is glad to be part of the Pliant Boarding team, who has provided the training and support to build her confidence in doing what she loves, and to spend time with all your furry friends. Apart from boarding, Vivian has been volunteering and fostering with a couple of animal rescues in Winnipeg for 4 years. 

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Vivian Yeung

Dog Boarder

Brenliegh Ulasy

Walking Coordinator

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​Brenliegh has spent her life connecting with and learning from the animals around her. 
Growing up in a house full of different animals Brenliegh’s love for them started at an early age. That love for animals has led her to practicing veganism for the last 11 years as she is eager to live a life that creates as minimal suffering to others as possible. After training several of her own dogs, she was excited for the opportunity to start a job in this industry.  Brenliegh started working with Pliant Pack in 2023 as our Walking Coordinator. Her favourite parts of the job are hearing about the progress the dogs are making and seeing all of the cute pictures of them.

Christopher Davis

Administrative Assistant

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Chris wasn't sure how he felt about animals until a dog was thrust into his life, and the rest is history. Now he uses his communication skills to assist our clients in organizing the best training for their dogs!

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Adrienne Reimer

Apprentice Trainer

Adrienne has been a dog lover ever since she was a young child, always willing to learn new things and share them with others. She gained professional experience with dogs working at a daycare with dogs of all sizes and temperaments. She then decided to focus on training and joined Pliant Pack! You can usually find Adrienne trying out new training activities with her dog Rudy and trying the newest vegan food with anyone that will join.

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