Our Team

Karen Baxter

Owner, Behaviour Consultant & Dog Trainer

Karen Baxter has loved dogs all her life and feels privileged that she has the ideal job…following her life-long passion and working with dogs. Beginning her professional career with dogs over 20 years ago, Karen brings an experience and joy to her work that can be felt by each dog and dog owner that she works with regardless of the size or the breed of dog. Karen’s training philosophy is “one size does NOT fit all!” and true to the Unified K9 philosophy, tailors her training protocols and/or treatment plans to the needs of the dog and the lifestyle and goals of the dog’s guardian(s). Her positive and fair techniques are designed to bring out enthusiasm in each dog so they learn to love training which results in building stronger relationships with their humans, based on trust.

Karen’s specialties include Behaviour work focusing on reactivity, anxiety and fear, Rally Obedience, Agility & Hoopers, and anything Puppy! She has participated in various training programs over and has earned several designations. Her accomplishments include:

  • Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant with the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants

  • Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessment with the Certification Council for Professional Pet Dog Trainers

  • Certified Dog Trainer through Animal Behaviour College

  • Canine Behaviour Science Technologist Diploma Program from Companion Animal Science Institute

  • Graduate of L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Professional Course

  • Licenced Canine Complexity Consultant through Impawsibble Possible in Calgary, Alberta

  • Completed Michael Shikashio’s Master Aggression Course

  • Completed the Free Ranging Dogs Master Class Program with Marco Adda

  • Certified in Pet First Aid and CPR

  • Published Author and Podcast Speaker relating to Dog Behaviour

  • Independent Researcher

  • Volunteer trainer for the OSPCA

  • Competed in Agility at the National Level & Rally Obedience to Master Championship Level

Amanda Nickerson

Behaviour Consultant & Dog Trainer

Amanda Nickerson is an accomplished dog trainer who has been working as a professional trainer for a number of years. She enjoys working with families to create a better connection with their dogs through learning and fun games. Through personal experience and a lifetime of learning Amanda has honed her teaching skills to make dog training obtainable to all people. She prides herself on helping people understand and better communicate with their companion animals in order to have fulfilling and enriched lives.

Amanda has taught a wide array of classes including puppy and adult obedience, rally obedience, agility, and behaviour modification. She is currently focusing her work on educating families on how to prevent problem behaviours with dogs through their development phases from puppies to adulthood. She is especially passionate about helping dogs who have anxiety and fears feel more comfortable in their environment and live more fulfilling lives. Not only is she an experienced trainer, Amanda is an established researcher who is always advancing her skills with the most up to date research.

Her accomplishments thus far:

  • Masters in Psychology from York University with Supervisor Animal Behaviourist, Dr. Suzanne MacDonald.

  • Researcher focusing on learning more about expectation in dogs, decision making processes and their understanding of physical traits in the world such as gravity.

  • Professional member of the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants)

  • Diploma in Canine Behaviour Science and Technology from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute

  • Graduate of L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Professional Course

  • Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessment with the Certification Council for Professional Pet Dog Trainers.

Ed Michel

Behaviour Consultant & Dog Trainer

The quintessential "dog person," Ed Michel is motivated each day by the undeniable bond capable between canine and human. He has harnessed this motivation into pursuing a training philosophy that seeks to make training enjoyable and enriching for all parties involved. As a result, Ed gets to work his dream job uniting pet owners with their companions in ways they never thought possible, focusing on cooperation, motivation, and play.

Ed’s overall focus on learning theory, psychology, ethology, and biological fulfillment is a perfect fit with the Unified K9 philosophy and has led him towards pursuing canine behaviour further, including aggression, reactivity, fear, and stress and anxiety.

Ed first attained his B.A. with honours from York University where he was a highly sought-after tutor, mentor, and varsity athlete. A lifelong youth coach and organizer, he blends a dynamic instructional style and engaging, personable approach that makes learning fun yet rich in information.

Ed’s unique skills and passion create a perfect learning environment. He currently specializes in Puppy Foundations, Puppy and Adult Obedience, Play and Enrichment, Reactivity and Anxiety

Ed’s qualifications include:

  • Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessment with the Certification Council for Professional Pet Dog Trainers

  • Certified Professional Pet Dog Training; Aggressive Dog Handling; Biological Fulfillment and Rehabilitation; and Rescue/Shelter Dogs.

  • Completed Michael Shikashio’s Master Aggression Course

  • Graduate of L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Professional Course

  • Fear Free Certified

  • Professional member of the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants)

  • Certified in Pet First Aid and CPR

  • Completed the Thrive Learning System Education Program with Impawsibble Possible in Calgary, AB

Dana Lambert

Dog Trainer

Dana’s vibrant and fun-loving personality truly shines when she’s working in her passion—caring for dogs. With a background in communications and design, Dana is a nature enthusiast, animal lover, and mother of two boys and two accomplished Olde English Bulldogges, who excel in rally obedience, agility, and hoopers. Her dedication extends to volunteering with the OSPCA, where she supports shelter dogs in adapting to their surroundings and easing their transition to loving forever homes.

 Over the years, Dana has achieved numerous certifications in the dog world, yet she continually seeks to expand her knowledge and expertise. Her ultimate hope is for everyone to "speak dog," fostering understanding that helps families create safe, enriching environments where dogs and children can interact happily and securely.

 Education and Certifiactions:

  • Graduate of the CCS Comprehensive Canine Behaviour Therapy

  • Graduate of CCS Professional Dog Training

  • Graduate of CCS Trick Training for Dogs

  • Completed The Canine complexity academy – Thrive Learning level 1

  • Free-Ranging Dogs Masterclass (Anthrozoology education dogs canines) Marco Adda

  • Completed the Pooch Parenting - Dog & Child Essentials for Dog Professionals Course

  • Graduate of L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Professional Course

  • Completed The DIAL METHOD - Families Living Happily and Safely with their Dog

  • Certified in Pet First Aid and CPR

  • Volunteer Trainer for the OSPCA

Nicole Addy

Dog Trainer

Nicole is a dedicated dog lover and a passionate advocate for canine enrichment. She began her career at a young age, working in a doggie daycare, which eventually led her to a position at a veterinary clinic and ignited her desire to become a dog trainer. Nicole specializes in teaching various dog sports and group classes, and she is thrilled to be part of the Unified K9 Behaviour Centre team, continuing to expand her knowledge and skills.

Nicole shares her home with Apollo, an energetic and loving German Shorthaired Pointer who excels in multiple competitive dog sports, including nosework, dock diving, agility, sprinters, frisbee, trick training, and hoopers. She also cares for a senior Shih Tzu who has canine cognitive dysfunction (dementia).

Balancing her full-time position managing a dog daycare with her work as a dog trainer, Nicole has developed a keen interest in helping anxious, high-energy dogs. She is committed to learning cooperative care skills to make stressful events less daunting for our furry friends. Nicole is eager to help dogs become more confident and better equipped to navigate the world.

Nicole has accomplished the following:

  • Graduated Animal Behaviour College Dog Training Program 

  • Graduated Northern College Veterinary Assistant 

  • Graduate of L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Professional Course

  • Graduate of Karen Pryers “Better Veterinary Visits”

  • Certified Trick Trainer through “Do More With Your Dog”

  • Certified Hoopers Trainer through Canine Hoopers World

  • Canine Hoopers of Canada Judge 

Dawn Baggley

Dog Trainer (Virtual)

A life long animal lover but obsessive about dogs, Dawn started her training journey after raising a family and working in a few different industries before following her heart to work full time with dogs. After almost 14 years at a training facility in Southern Ontario, Dawn, her husband and their pups moved to Field, BC to be closer to family - namely their two adult kids and their significant others and of course - their grandpups!

She has taught all levels of obedience (including puppy foundations), rally obedience and agility Dawn is committed to expanding her training knowledge and has taken courses in leash reactivity, defensive handling skills, separation anxiety as well as seminars on motivation and communication systems. She strongly supports the use of positive reinforcement training methods and strives to enhance the dog/human bond. Dawn has competed with her own dogs in rally obedience and agility.

Dawn’s qualifications include:

  • Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed by the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers

  • Graduate of L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Professional Course

  • Professional Member of the Canadian Association of Pet Dog Trainers

  • Supporting Member of the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants)

  • Certified in dog first aid.

  • Previous Director of an Ontario not-for-profit that trained service and therapy dogs.

  • Volunteer Trainer at the Bow Valley SPCA

Linda Thomson

Dog Trainer

Linda is a passionate and experienced dog handler. After leaving the corporate world, she followed her true passion - working with animals. Linda has run a successful dog walking business for the past 6 years. Recently, she enhanced her knowledge and skills by obtaining an extensive education in dog training and behaviour. Her training paired with the real-world experience working with dogs, of all temperaments, has made Linda a valuable addition to the Unified K9 team. 

At home, Linda is a proud wife and mom of two. She shares her life with Hunter, a golden retriever rescued from the OSPCA. Hunter came into her life with behavioural challenges. With dedication and training, Linda helped Hunter overcome his struggles, further strengthening her understanding of canine behaviour. It was this pivotal moment, that Linda knew her true passion is to help pet guardians live a harmonious life with their dogs.

 Linda’s list of accomplishments include:

  • 6 years as a successful dog walker

  • Graduate of the Animal Behaviour College Dog Trainer Program

  • Studied Thrive Learning System principles developed by Cat Harbord

  • Volunteers at the OSPCA helping train dogs to give them the best opportunity of a forever home of their own. 

  • Pet First Aid & CPR Certified