Current Members
All of our members are in good standing with the Canadian Kennel Club
Executive
Trina Neil, East Prairie Director
Vonda, SK
Motlikru Bearded Collies
Born in Thunder Bay, Trina’s first family dog was indeed the Beardie. When she was 13 she acquired her very own dog which was a Beagle. With no professional handlers living in her area to apprentice with, Trina watched breeder owners in the ring. She learned all about dog shows with her Beagle and Junior Handling.
In 2006 Trina moved to Winnipeg and began handling for clients . During her career, Trina has won Best in Shows and Specialty shows in all seven groups. She just recently set the record the top winning Brussels Griffon bitch in Canada with Ally who was #5 Toy Dog. Another great achievement was with Tika the Chesapeake Bay Retriever who finished her campaign as the #3 Sporting Dog and #12 All Breeds. Connie and Trina owned a Standard Wire Dachshund, Hunter. He was a multi Best in Show/Specialty winner and a Top Ten Hound contender both years he was campaigned. Trina has also won the American Bearded Collie National, Canadian Golden Retriever , Dachshund and Miniature Schnauzer National. She was the Saskatchewan CKC Junior handling rep in 2012 and both are life members of the CKC.
Shannon Scheer, Vice President & Western Prairie Director
Calgary, AB
Chilcotin Standard Smooth Dachshunds, Eirēnē Golden Retrievers
Shannon got her first dog (an Irish Setter) when she was 10 yrs old. An avid Junior Handler- she then apprenticed under many of Canada’s Top handlers in the 1980’s. Shannon studied hard for ten years with her mentors before she went on her own professionally 32 years ago. She has won well over 500 Best in Show wins during her career covering all seven groups. She has been honored to pilot two dogs to Top Dog All Breeds. . In addition, Shannon is a lifetime member with the Canadian Kennel Club, wrote for the National Dog Magazine “Canine Review” – Scheer Madness - for twenty seven years, is the Zone 10 Alberta, Nunavut, NWT Junior Handler Director, received the Pedigree Professional Handler of the Year Award (2001), Wenrick Best Sportsman Award (2005), and Canadian Dog Digest Dog Person Of The Year (2010), Canadian Kennel Club Mentorship Award for twenty seven years of volunteering with the Junior Handling program (2017), and GRCA- Randy Schepper USA Outstanding Sportsmanship Award AKC (2018).
In addition to handling, Shannon maintains a successful breeding program of Golden Retrievers and Standard Daschunds under the Eirene and Chiclotan prefixes (respectively).
Michelle Yeadon, Western BC & Island Director
Langley, B.C.
Mephisto Boxers
Michelle Yeadon PHA/CPHA, is an All-Breed, Professional Dog Handler in British Columbia, Canada. She has been handling dogs professionally since 1989 and is one of Canada's most successful All Breed Handlers. She has won over 300 Best In Shows in Canada and the United States. She has been awarded Best in Shows from all 7 groups and countless group wins and placements. Michelle has taken many breeds to Canada’s Top Ten All Breeds as well as Top Twenty in the United States. Michelle prides herself with being a mentor for many young breeders and handlers in the sport of purebred dogs. She looks forward to more years of handling, breeding and then the transition into judging in the years to come.
Bonnie Fisher, Atlantic Director, Web Design
Haute-Aboujagane (Shediac), NB
Bonnie was introduced to dog shows through performance events, titling her first Golden Retriever in obedience when she was fifteen. Obviously hooked, she wanted to learn everything she could about dog shows and was fortunate enough to be mentored by excellent long time breeders, handlers, and trainers. Her family’s first show dog was a Golden Retriever (Parker) bred by Shannon Scheer and Marjean Verseveldt.
In Bonnie’s professional career, she has earned many Best in Shows, Best in Specialty shows, and piloted dogs to the top in their breed and group rankings. Above all else, however, Bonnie wants dogs to love the show ring and believes that their happiness, condition, and health should always be the number one priority.
Membership
Colin Brownlee
Essa, ON
Unicornhill Siberians
Colin ventured into the world of purebred dogs when he was 13 years old and bought his first Siberian. The breeder suggested they show it and the rest is history. At a young age Colin realized dogs were his passion, and at 15 yrs old he was already assisting some of the Top Handlers in North America. Colin remained an assistant with various handlers for seven years. During his career as a professional handler, Colin has been showing dogs all over the world as well as working with many of the top breeders in Canada. With well over 325 Best in Show wins under his belt, Colin has won BIS’s in every group. He has piloted many of Canada’s Top Dogs to top ten status and is the Top Dog All breeds for 2020 with the Snowmist Siberian Bo!
Colin has been involved with showing dogs for the past thirty five years. He is a long standing member of the Canadian Kennel Club and the CPHA.
Colin and Andre’ also are the owner operators of the very successful boarding kennel Dogs Invouge. Their Siberian Huskies are world renowned for their quality. Colin’s main concern when presenting your show dog is the conditioning, care and comfort of your dog .
Xander Scriver
Calgary, AB
Maxbury Standard Poodles
Xander first began his journey in the world of dog shows in 2015 when he purchased his first Standard Poodle from his Mentor, Carol Graham. Under the help and guidance of Carol Xander’s first Standard Poodle went on to become a Multi Best in Show winning dog and a Grand Champion Excellent. This was the beginning of Xander’s love for the sport.
Xander competed as a Junior Handler in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Over the three years he competed he was awarded a Reserve Best Over All and two Best Over All wins in the zone 4B finals. In 2016, Xander competed at the Canadian Junior Handling Nationals at Spruce Meadows and was awarded 3rd place in the competition.
In 2017, Xander traveled to Newfoundland & Labrador to compete in his final Junior Handling Nationals where he was awarded 2nd place in the country.
Xander is experienced with the presentation and grooming of many breeds in all groups. Xander has been awarded Best in Shows on a variety of breeds over the past 10 years.
Xander has had the honor of being mentored by one of CPHA’s Honorary Members, Carol Graham. Xander spent some time in his junior handling days working for handlers Terry Bernier and Shannon Scheer.
Xander is pleased to have become a member of the CPHA and to fulfill a childhood dream. Xander hopes to have a long and successful career as a Professional Handler.
Marlene Ness
Mar-K American Cocker Spaniels
Bethel, CT
203-240-8622
Marlene was first introduced to the dog show world when she started working for Linda Greenly (Mapleayr) in her grooming shop, Pampered Pets, around 1991. Marlene later purchased that grooming shop from Linda. She also bought her first ACS from Linda in 1995, and from there was hooked. Over the years, she worked for several handlers; Colin Brownlee, Will Alexander, Allison Alexander and Steve Dainard and is forever grateful to all of them for their guidance in the sport.
Marlene now breeds under the prefix Mar-K with her husband Mark Ragusa. Together they have bred for nearly 12 years and have BIS winners in approximately 6 different countries world wide.
Marlene has campaigned many Cockers to BIS, BISS and top placing in the breed. Winning the Variety at Westminster KC with Ace and walking out onto the green carpet in the group ring was a feeling like no other. ACE broke the BIS record for a Cocker in Canada, he won 77, and went on to be Top Dog All Breeds in 2012, as well as Winning the US National in 2013. Other highlights include winning the Canadian National on a homebred dog (Tim), winning Best In Futurity (Hailey, first homebred cocker) who was also a BIS winner, and of course, being a class winner at Crufts with Showmajic Winning Is Everything .
Marlene now lives in Connecticut and feels extremely fortunate to have traveled around the world and met so many wonderful people that have become like family. She is forever grateful to have been welcomed to the Dog Show world and tries to give back to new comers in the same way.
Courtney Penner
Chilliwack, BC
Courtney Penner started showing dogs at a very young age with her mom, she knew then this was her passion. When she was 12 years old they started “Sito” kennels and began to breed Boston Terriers. Courtney apprenticed for many years with Larry Clark taking in all the knowledge he had to offer her. Since then she has carried on his values and beliefs when it comes to the dog care and handling in her own business and passing it on to her daughter who also enjoys being part of the team. Courtney handles numerous all breed dogs and has had great success, winning Best in Shows on dogs in numerous groups. One of her handling career highlights was having “2019 #6 dog all breed and #1 Herding dog. Not only does Courtney handle dogs, she also has a very successful grooming shop located in beautiful Chilliwack. She lives very close to multiple airports, close to the US border and central to many shows. She loves the sport, and the connection between the handler and their dogs.
Elyse Fernets
Calgary, AB
Eleki Pugs
Elyse got her first dog (a Doberman) from professional handlers Cec Ringstrom and Butch Macdonald in the early 80’s. This led the way for her to assist them at the shows for the next three years. Butch and Cec helped Elyse hone her handling skills by encouraging her to compete in Junior Handling. In 1995 Elyse won the AB Junior Handling Provincials. Elyse then moved on to work for Shaunna Bernardin at her grooming salon Wags To Whiskers. She was able to learn the art of show and pet grooming and stayed with Shaunna as an assistant at the shows, on and off for the next 16 years.
In 2007 Elyse met Leanna Motus of XOE Pugs and was offered the chance to co own a Pug male with Leanna and the Greens in the USA. That puppy was soon to be known as the famous “Oscar”. In 2010, Elyse piloted Oscar to Top Toy Dog in Canada as well as Number Three Dog of All Breeds. She was the proud recipient of the Kishniga Top Owner handler award that same year.
In 2017 Elyse was voted by her peers to receive the Wenrick Best Sportsman Award at the CPHA Top Dog Dinner held in Camrose, AB
As a handler, Elyse has had the pleasure of showing some fantastic dogs for her clients. She has won many BIS and Specialty shows on her charges. She also owns and operates the successful grooming business – Doggone Gorgeous.
Hailey Griffith
Niagara, ON
http://haileygriffith.com/
Hailey is located in the beautiful and accessible Niagara area, just 1 hour from 2 international airports, Toronto and Buffalo. She is also close to the American border and attends many American Dog Shows with Canadian Dogs, especially but not limited to Westminster, Orlando, Louisville and Montgomery County.
Hailey’s facility is set up for conditioning, training and campaigning Dogs with fine attention to detail and individual personal care, whether it be for a Championship or Top Dog honours. It is the perfect place for excellent care.
Hailey is comfortable and able to be competitive in All Breeds and has been awarded many Best in Shows in all 7 groups. Her specialty is in the hard coated terrier breeds. Hailey’s availability and itinerary is regularly updated on her website.
Doug McIntyre
Maugerville, NB
Doonabrig Whippets
Doug can literally say that he was born and raised into the world of purebred dogs, coming from a background of generations involved . He was taught and continues to be mentored by his father . Doug has worked, helped, and been in the company of many of the greats in this sport; old schooled trained and practice to this day . Animal husbandry, care, and conditioning is first and foremost on the list of importance, with having hands on the dogs every single day . Doug has had great success and wins along the way throughout his many years in this game but he’s not one to toot his own horn.
Sydney Robinson
Osgoode, ON
Keepsake Soft Coated Wheaton Terriers
Sydney was born into the dog show world. Before she was peewee eligible she would practice training and grooming not just in her mother’s set up but also in some professional handler set ups brushing and practicing with other breeds.
As soon as she was old enough to compete in juniors she did, and then quickly found success in all breed ring with the Wheatens she grew up with. In 2015 Sydney had the honour of winning the junior handling finals and representing Canada at the 2016 Junior handling invitational held at the Crufts dog show in England.
Sydney and her mother breed and show world renowned Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers under the “Keepsake” prefix. Sydney won her first all breed best in show at the tender age of 13, but it was just a launching pad for successful campaigns resulting in multiple best in show winners, multiple American and Canadian specialty wins including Best in Specialty at both Canadian SCWT National and the American SCWT national.
Sydney‘s dedication to the sport is solid, and she hopes to take the next step in her professional Journey by joining the CPHA and proudly taking the next step in her chosen vocation.
Lori-Ann Fischer
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Lori-Ann started in purebred dogs in 1986 with Golden Retrievers. Over the years she has also been involved with co breeding and owning Chinese Shar Pei and Clumber Spaniels. Lori-Ann apprenticed for many years with Hugh Middleditch and continues on with his beliefs and ideas when it comes to the handling and care of client dogs.
Lori-Ann has multiple Best in Show wins on many dogs. Her top career highlights have been piloting the Welsh Springer “Jett” to Top Sporting Dog and #8 All Breed dog in 2009, the Boxer bitch “Opi” to #4 Working and #8 All Breeds in 2017, and the Rottweiler “Pan” to #10 All Breed Dog and #4 Working in 2019. Lori-Ann loves showing dogs and receiving the unconditional love from them that cannot be found anywhere else.
Connie Krohn
Vonda, Saskatchewan
Sparx Miniature Schnauzers
www.canineartistrybyconniekrohn.com
Connie was born in Winnipeg and their first dog was a Keeshond in the early 1980’s. Jean Grassick was the breeder and also an artist which brought on a strong mentorship and friendship for Connie. Over the next few years, they travelled to shows with a booth selling their artwork and handling a few dogs on the side. Soon other people were asking Connie if she would also show their dogs. Connie’s first Best in Show was on her own Cairn Terrier. She now breeds Miniature Schnauzers and has won more than 40 Best in Shows – Canadian Nationals as well as many USA specialties with this breed. In 2006 Connie and her own dog Bookie became the first Miniature Schnauzer to go Top Terrier in Canada and Number Ten All Breeds. To date, Connie has piloted the Keeshond, Rowdy to #8 and #6 All Breeds during the past two years. Connie can be found hard at work on her renown “Canine Artistry” sculptures and paintings. She has been commissioned by many National Specialty clubs both USA (Montgomery!) and Canada to prepare the trophies and prizes for these prestigious events. The art of hand stripping is becoming a lost art and stripped Terrier coats are Connie’s specialty.
Jolie McMullan
Abbotsford, BC
Jolie was born and raised on farms in Brandon Manitoba, with a main focus on horses but always having dogs in her life. As a small child she had a wolf/shephard cross (Boomer). She also grew up with a St. Bernard(Brandy), Great Dane(Baron), Doberman(Carlie) and 2 Pekingese(Muffin and Cookie). After moving to BC, she realized horses were very expensive and in 1996 got her first show dog, a Dalmatian, “Sadie”, Ch. Wilddeer Next Caprice. Then it was Ch. Rainpacers Triple Crown, who was #5 Dalmatian and Am/Can. Ch. Wilddeer Medallion, #1 male Dalmatian.
After that, Jolie was hooked on dogs and showing. She was able to work for handling greats like Heidi Gervais and Michelle Yeadon, which provided exposure to many different breeds. Jolie has won many Best in Shows, Best in Specialty Shows, and Reserve Best in Shows. Since 2009, she has been involved with and breeding Weimaraners with Margaret Lehmann under the “Bartland” prefix. Jolie feels to be able to have a profession that fosters her love of the sport and for different breeds of dogs is a dream come true. Currently, she enjoys sharing the set up with her daughter, Jennifer Driessen.