Certified Animal Trainers | Edmonton | Companion Veterinary Clinic

Our Trainers

Companion Veterinary Clinic’s Training Team offers professional positive, science-based methods of training and behaviour modification. Our classes and training sessions are fun, positive and designed to increase the bond between you and your pet!

Our
Trainers

Companion Dog Training offers professional, positive, science-based methods of training and behaviour modification. Our goal for all of our classes and private sessions is to ensure your dog can focus on you, both on- and off-leash. Our classes are fun, positive and designed to strengthen the bond between you and your dog!

Jessica Benoit RVT, VTS (Behaviour), CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, Fear Free Certified Trainer

Jessica graduated from the NAIT Animal Health Technology program in 2010. She is a Registered Veterinary Technologist and the co-owner of Companion Veterinary Clinic, a Fear Free Certified Practice in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She is a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Behaviour, a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, and a Fear Free Certified veterinary professional, trainer, and speaker. She was named the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association’s Veterinary Technologist of the Year in 2020.

Jessica is proud to be the co-owner of Companion Veterinary Clinic, a Fear Free Certified Practice since 2018. She developed the training and behaviour program at Companion Veterinary Clinic in 2013, including curricula for dog training classes, kitten classes, trick training, and private training and behaviour modification sessions. She has a special interest in cooperative veterinary care and enjoys helping canine and feline patients feel more comfortable and empowered for veterinary examinations and procedures.

She enjoys educating and sharing her knowledge through speaking engagements and workshops. This includes guest lecturing both locally and internationally for veterinary professionals and trainers and providing client education seminars. She also enjoys writing and contributes to veterinary literature regularly. In her spare time, she loves pottery, reading, and being outdoors with her husband and two children, two dogs, one cat, and ten chickens.

Chantal Turcotte KPA CTP, Fear Free Certified Trainer

Chantal is a valuable member of our animal training team. She has always loved animals and surrounds herself with them as much as possible. She became interested in training and behaviour after getting her rescue dog Blu. Blu struggled on-leash and helping her overcome this obstacle made Chantalrealize how much she wanted to help other dogs with behaviour challenges.

Chantal graduated from the world-renowned Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional program in 2019 and is a certified Fear Free Certified trainer. She keeps up-to-date with humane, ethical, and evidence-based training techniques by continuously attending continuing education courses. Chantal also has a special interest in child-dog safety and setting families and their puppies up for success.

Chantal has been working at Companion Veterinary Clinic for the past 8 years. She shares her life with her husband, 4 kids, and 2 dogs.

Chantal is currently teaching Puppy Socialization and Exploration, Puppy Foundations, Trick Training 101 and Door Manners for Dogs.

Janna Stachniak, RVT, KPA CTP, Fear Free Certified Professional

Janna is currently on maternity leave.

Janna graduated from the NAIT Animal Health Technology program in 2014 and has been with Companion Veterinary Clinic since 2021. She is a Fear Free Certified Trainer and a graduate of the Karen Pryor Dog Training Professional Program.

Janna teaches puppy and adolescent classes at Companion Veterinary Clinic and offers preventative and cooperative care training. She enjoys attending continuing education seminars related to animal behaviour, including Dr. Susan Friedman’s Living & Learning with Animals: The Fundamental Principles and Procedures of Teaching and Learning.

Janna loves spending time with her husband and their two cats, Frodo and Ginny. She enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles, hanging out with family and friends, wall climbing, and taking photos of her cats!