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A Letter from the Founder | Spot On Dogs
Born from campus Therapy Dog success, we bring welfare-first, behaviour-driven training to Prince Edward Island.
Hi—I’m Shannon, Founder of Spot On Dogs. As a Summerside native, I spent 11 years “away” working across Canada in Student Affairs; most recently at Carleton University where I built an integrated facility Therapy Dog program as an upstream mental health resource. I had adopted my first dog as an “adult”—a Great Dane/Pointer mix named Blue—and the moment I looked into his single blue eye, I knew he was destined for greatness.
When Blue began drawing students and staff from every corner of campus and lifting more spirits than any workshop, I was hooked. With his popularity, the university handed me a pot of money to pilot a larger therapy-dog program. So, I set aside imposter syndrome and dove into Best Friends Dog Training’s professional certification. Within a year I was staffing Carleton’s expanded therapy dog team and actually teaching weekend obedience classes myself at Ottawa’s top training school. Today, 20 dogs bridge students to mental-health resources on campus; a legacy born from Blue’s quiet magic, and one I continue to steward with Carleton.
In early 2021, my husband and I felt the pull of home and we moved back to Prince Edward Island; and to finally turn my welfare-first training vision into reality. My guiding philosophy is in training that puts your dog first—because a dog who feels safe and understood learns faster, stays confident, and strengthens the bond you share. I channeled that insight into Spot On Dogs—built a simple website, a vintage logo of my Dalmatian, Elroy, and a promise to put dogs’ welfare first. Within weeks of launching Spot On Dogs, behaviour-consulting slots were filling up with dogs struggling with reactivity, anxiety, and fear. Realizing I needed more tools for complex cases, I dove into advanced dog-training certifications alongside learning from experts in vet behaviour at the Atlantic Vet College.
By early 2023, bookings were six weeks out. I hired my first trainer, and in March 2024 we opened our own home at 4 Walker Drive. In 2025, we added a 3,300 sq ft fenced yard for safe play and class expansion. Today, our five-trainer team offers:
Puppy Prep School: intensive Day School program for 10-14 week old pups
Group Classes: Puppy, Obedience, and Specialty topics
Complex behaviour consulting: tailored plans for reactivity, fear, anxiety, aggression
Tails to Trails: community leash-walking on PEI’s scenic trails
Service-dog coaching & support: structured training for handlers and canine partners
And We’re Just Getting Started
In 2026, Spot On Dogs will be entering our 5th year—and I’m already dreaming forward to our 10-year milestone. I can see…
Expanding with A.I. powered digital courses on welfare-first training for dog-parents worldwide
Launching an island-wide network of safe-space “pop-up” training areas
Partnering with our local shelter to offer community grants for behaviour support
Hosting PEI’s first conference on canine resilience and mental health
Advocating for Service-Dog regulations on PEI to protect handlers with disabilities and canine partners
Because here at Spot On Dogs, we believe that when dogs and people learn together in a compassionate, educated, and supportive community—that’s when real transformation happens. And you’re never in it alone.
