Monique Charron

Monique has devoted many years to International Development working for several Canadian organizations managing projects in Africa and Asia. In 2014 she joined the team at Veterinarians without Borders allowing her to combine her two passions; working with animals all the while helping to alleviate poverty in developing countries. In 2012 Monique learned about Cheryl Smith’s canine training program and became an apprentice soon after fostering a reactive Great Dane named Hagrid that she could not help. She has since acquired many skills to better work with, understand and love dogs like Hagrid but also understand how to train dogs to better integrate the human world and guide dog owners on how to respect and train their beloved animals.

Monique has attended several seminars and workshops including the annual Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) conferences and continues to explore learning opportunities mostly virtual given our new reality. The first in-person event she attended was the ‘Canine Conflict Resolution’ workshop presented by Cheryl Smith. It was an informative seminar that inspired her to learn more. Since then, she has attended several Ian Dunbar presentations, a TTouch week-long training course as well as the Pia Silvani Canine Play workshop held in Ottawa in 2015.

Monique has since retired from Veterinarians without Borders which allows her to devote more time to training dogs and their owners. She continues to be involved in the promotion of animal wellbeing as a Board Director for World Animal Protection Canada. Monique owns two dogs, a Chocolate Labrador named Akéwa and a German Shepherd, Ameera (seen in the photo).