Meet Our Instructors
Meet the experienced instructors who help dog and handler teams build confidence, connection, and skill.
Shannon Hellyer Gibson
Owner | Rally Instructor
With over 25 years of dog handling experience, Shannon brings extensive competitive involvement across multiple dog sports. She holds titles in Competition Obedience, Rally Obedience, Trick Dog, Scent Work, and Barn Hunt, and is committed to developing strong, effective dog-handler teams through clear foundations and ongoing education.
Pam Koiner
Scent Work Instructor | SDDA Judge
Pam has over a decade of canine scent detection experience, competing, coaching, teaching, and, in 2023, certifying as an SDDA judge. She has put multiple championships on her 3 personal dogs, including Zzzeplin, who is the most titled ACD in the registry. Pam’s current partner, 3-year-old Dutch Shepherd Zzzulu Della Fuoco, rose quickly through the competitive levels, achieving his Elite and Grand Master Championships at just 2.5 years old. Many of her students are equally as successful in the upper levels of competition. Pam stays current and active in the sport, competing and judging across Canada, attending workshops, and working with her own instructor. Pam has also built a reputation for being able to effectively deal with dog- and human-reactive dogs.
Liz Massi
Rally Instructor
Liz has been working with dogs on and off for over 15 years. She currently volunteers on the board of the Samoyed Association of Canada and as a trainer with the Greater Victoria Dog Obedience Training Club. Her Samoyed, Domino, has earned several High in Class rosettes in her rally obedience career, and is always a favourite for judges and spectators alike. You might also run into them in the agility and conformation rings, hiking, at the park playing fetch, or enjoying a meal at a dog friendly establishment.
Aislynn Verzyl
Conformation Handling Instructor
Aislynn has handled over 50 breeds across all seven groups and ranked among the top ten Junior Handlers nationally. She remains active as a Junior Handling judge and Conformation handler, with a strong focus on mentoring developing handlers for the ring.
Sarah Fleming
K9 Obedience Skills
Sarah has trained dogs and horses for over 45 years. She helps build engagement, leadership, and timing to strengthen the partnership between you and your dog. Sarah and her GSD, Kohlein’s Big Timber (“Biggie”), have titled in Obedience and Rally Obedience and continue to compete at island events. She also volunteers her time as a trainer with the Greater Victoria Dog Obedience Training Club.
Alicia
Trick Dog Instructor
I have been training dogs for over 30 years, beginning by titling my first dog in obedience. Since then, I have titled three dogs to their CD (Companion Dog) and trained through Utility. I started as an assistant instructor and eventually taught pet obedience classes at Lakewood Dog Club. Today, I continue to enjoy training and competing with my dogs. I am currently trialing my German Shepherd and my Golden Retriever “grand-dog” in Nosework. My German Shepherd has earned his Intermediate Trick Dog title, and we are also taking Rally Obedience classes. I will be training Rooster, my Golden Retriever grand-dog, in Rally as well. I love continuing to learn, train, and have fun with dogs at every stage of their journey.