Karen Laws is a pack leader with a heart for helping dogs and their owners have the life of their dreams together.

Now, with her sights set on helping more people and pooches, she’s focusing on growing her “dog university” program. She’s spent years developing the program for the dogs she trains and for their families — and the results are monumental.

Karen promotes and teaches five basic principles of leadership at Ontario Dog Trainer, but number one on her list is to build the dog-owner relationship. This is what inspired the switch in focus to her success-building boarding programs.

Karen knows that dogs are not verbal creatures. The pack animals hear with their noses and they use physical interaction to message to the rest of their pack. And just like humans, dogs need to build solid relationships, so that’s what Karen teaches the people she works with — and their four-legged family members.

“We focus on the relationship first,” Karen explains. “With dogs, with staff, and with our clients: relationship first.”

This approach means more time with dogs, so Karen has stopped teaching group classes and put more energy and expertise into her boarding programs — including dog university, where dogs come to stay at Karen’s facility for three weeks or longer.

“We need to build trust with the dog,” Karen says. “If it takes ten days for the dog to understand that we are going to be consistent, then that’s how long we take before we start the formal obedience training.”

The training Karen and her staff cover can include whatever the dog needs to be part of their family, especially real-world adventures in everyday places like stores where dogs are allowed.

“With so many urban dogs, we do lots of work on how to behave in public places and how to greet people and dogs properly,” Karen explains. “And just like some humans, sometimes we teach how to be tolerant without actually meeting.”

All of this takes time — time for Karen to build the relationship with the dog and then additional time to help rebuild the relationship between the dog and its family. And every step of the way, with the dog university program, it’s about benevolent and predictable leadership.

While the doggie students are at school and after they graduate, there are up to five more private sessions together with the human student that take a couple of hours each: two sessions at the facility and also three on-site or in-home sessions post-graduation.

The first session, mid-way through a dog’s stay, focuses on how far the dog has come. It’s also a chance for Karen to learn more about the owners and the life they dream of with their dog.

“I need to show them what’s possible with their dog,” Karen points out. “Then it’s time to help the owners understand it’s possible for them to live a life with their dog beyond basic obedience.”

Karen says she helps her clients feel comfortable enough to reveal where problems might be lingering, so that everyone can experience the success that comes from being focused on a desired behaviour — as opposed to dishing out discipline after something bad has happened.

“People think I’m in the dog business, but that’s only part of it,” Karen says. “I’m in the relationship business.”

The shift to more boarding programs is having a positive result. Karen says she’s constantly hearing positive feedback from more than just dog owners. She’s also hearing from vets, dog walkers, and groomers who appreciate the huge changes they are all seeing.

And it’s not just about immediate results. Karen says she hears from past clients all the time — like the dog she just received an email about, who graduated four years ago.

The dog was supposed to be chasing geese off a golf course, but he would never come back if he was off leash. The dog and his owners completed Karen’s program and kept working to build their relationship. The geese are now gone, and the dog has become a valued member of the family and golf club staff.

Karen is excited about taking her dog university in a new direction as she trains more staff to do what she does. As a coach, she believes in making everything easy for the client and this means having more trainers available with her skills.

Once this happens and she has some additional free time, Karen says she’s finally ready to start writing a book that will provide one more way for people to build lasting positive relationships with their dogs.

Karen Laws is a certified dog trainer and pet food nutrition specialist. Her business, Ontario Dog Trainer, is located at 814 Lifford Road in Bethany. For more information, call Karen at 705-277-1503 (mobile: 705-761-2159), email karen@ontariodogtrainer.com, or visit ontariodogtrainer.com.

You can also find Ontario Dog Trainer on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and connect with Karen on LinkedIn.

When Brenda Cowan opened the sealed envelope announcing her business had won the Consumer Choice Award, she was truly amazed by the news and she was deeply moved that so many people had taken the time to support her growing business, The Ear Depot.

Once the news sunk in and Brenda knew it was real, she took it as one more sign that helping people hear every conversation, better, is something she’s really good at.

Brenda owns and operates the Ear Depot, an independent hearing centre with locations in Bancroft, Barry’s Bay, Peterborough, and now also in Marmora. The business is thriving and growing — something Brenda attributes to trusting and empowering her team to deliver the best in technology and customer service.

“I was seeing that there was a lack of that old-fashioned service,” Brenda explains. “This is not just about the technology. We have the technology but without building a real relationship, there’s something missing.”

Hearing aid technology is challenging, and the device is only as good as the fine tuning that goes into it. And, according to Brenda, the fine tuning is a combination of understanding the technology and understanding the client’s needs.

Brenda works with her team to develop insightful and understanding relationships with each client. If they know where the client lives, what they do with their time, the different environments the client is going to need to hear in and have conversations in, that’s when the Ear Depot can make a significant difference in someone’s life.

“This all comes from within,” Brenda says. “You need to have that compassion for the client, and I love connecting people with people.”

Clients at the Ear Depot feel that connection from the moment they call to book an appointment, or when they walk through the door at any of the clinics. Each team member has been carefully selected by Brenda because of their ability to make that connection.

“It’s in their heart, it’s in their eyes — you can’t fake that,” Brenda says. “This is what we hear from clients. This is what they feel.”

And when people have trouble hearing, they have already lost that special connection with others.

The first impression is huge for Brenda and her team. She insists that it must be genuine and that it must be positive. Then the relationship is built, staff get to know the client, their family, and their needs. Once a product is recommended, time is spent fine-tuning it, testing it, and training everyone on how it will be used.

Follow-up is also huge for the team. If a client is not enjoying the anticipated results, the team will do whatever is needed to make sure conversation gets easier for those who have been struggling with hearing loss.

And hearing loss is a struggle. With all levels of hearing loss, the disappearance of certain sounds can happen gradually. In very subtle ways, even the most common hearing impairment can unknowingly become a very real strain on a person’s quality of life.

When we don’t hear clearly what other people are asking or saying to us, Brenda explains, people pull away from social connection and conversation.

“Our passion at The Ear Depot is in helping people remove the barrier that hearing loss causes and bring folks back to confident and enjoyable conversation every day.”

Helping people get back to enjoying social interaction is what Brenda gets excited about. You can hear it in her voice and, with the Consumer Choice Award secured, she feels good about the positive changes she is empowering her whole team to make in an industry that is known for high-pressure sales and a lack of support.

“You can’t buy this vote,” Brenda laughs. “This comes from years of helping people and from all the five-star reviews that we have on the internet. This means so much to us.”

The Ear Depot is located at 236 Parkhill Road East in Peterborough (705-749-0707), 229 Hasting Street North in Bancroft (613-332-3754), 1 Madoc Street in Marmora (613-472-6134), and 12 Dunn Street in Barry’s Bay (613-756-9550). For more information, visit www.theeardepot.com or email info@theeardepot.com. You can also email Brenda Cowan at brenda@theeardepot.com and connect with The Ear Depot on Facebook and on Twitter.

Frances Fourcaudot’s job can get ‘hairy’ … but that’s a good thing in her business.

The owner of From the Neck Up is a hair loss and trichology specialist. She helps people look their best with nonsurgical hair replacements after they have lost their hair primarily due to chemotherapy, autoimmune diseases, alopecia, female pattern baldness, and other hair loss conditions. In many instances, she offers these people a new lease on life.

With skills obtained as a former hairstylist, Frances can style and customize wigs and toppers in a way that look natural in appearance, and understands why it’s important to create a natural-looking solution that make people look confident.

“Hair loss is not a topic that is readily discussed,” explains Frances. “When clients come to see me, it can be a very emotional time.”

“My goal from that first client consultation is that they sleep better at night knowing that there’s a solution and somebody to help them, because that alone is half the battle — when they don’t know what’s causing the hair loss or they’re so overwhelmed.”

“It’s a game changer when the thought ‘How am I going to get through the day with my hair?’ doesn’t become their number one fear in the morning.”

With a passion for hair, Frances became a licensed hairstylist. She moved to Durham Region at 22 and, while raising a family, spent decades making locals look their best.

It was during that time she decided to turn her life to helping transform women’s appearances with hair replacements, and she opened two wig salons in Pickering.

“I had a particular skill that could help women get through chemotherapy and there weren’t many places in the area that were educated in wig fitting and did it well.”

A few years ago, her decision to move back to her hometown of Peterborough to be closer to family also offered up the opportunity for Frances to open another boutique — but one that catered to women, men, and children.

In 2018, From The Neck Up opened its doors in the lower level of the Westmount Pharmacy building on Victory Crescent in Peterborough. In a brightly lit, welcoming space that is private and confidential, Frances offers a selection of full and partial custom-styled human hair wigs, synthetic wigs and hair toppers, as well as wig repairs.

“Synthetic wigs are extremely low maintenance and economical,” she explains. “If you have temporary hair loss, I highly recommend synthetic.”

A human hair wig is more for long-term hair loss and it feels great on the skin, she notes.

“It does require more maintenance and you have to style it like you would with your own hair. But most people like to do that, as it’s what they miss most.”

A topper, which isn’t a full wig but a custom-made hairpiece, clips on top of the crown to mask the hair loss and blends naturally with remaining hair.

Rows of wig-coiffed mannequin heads in a variety of styles line the perimeter of the boutique. A long mirror hangs on the wall at the fitting station, furnished with a comfortable chair.

Frances notes she is dedicated to creating a space that will help clients look like the confident people they knew were always there.

After a free consultation, she works with each client to correctly distinguish the colour, quality, and length to simulate natural hair, and find the perfect wig style for them that is realistic and comfortable. She can also colour and cut the hair pieces to complement her client’s features.

“Clients come back to see me a year later and I don’t recognize them. Some have lost weight or have got a job promotion. Their newfound self-confidence has been life altering.”

“People aren’t in a hurry to tell others they’ve had a hair replacement as it’s relatively private. But when my clients go shopping or to the bank and get compliments, it affects everything about them — they walk different, they talk different, and they’ve got more confidence. They’re in control of their life again.”

Frances has recently expanded her services to include people in the LGBTQ community.

For those identifying as transgender who choose to change their appearance like their hair and be their authentic selves, Frances says she can offer custom cut and colour services, wig management and recommendations — all in a safe, inclusive environment.

“They have a vision of beauty and I can help them find it, while giving them the privacy and dignity that they deserve,” Frances says.

In addition to her work, Frances is a proud supporter of the Angel Hair for Kids and The Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre. She also volunteers her time at Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s Look Good Feel Better program, where she helps women fit themselves with wigs and hair prostheses during cancer treatment.

Her positive energy and enthusiasm have directly benefited many patients. She thrives on sharing her knowledge of the beauty industry and solutions available for people to enjoy better hair days.

Frances’ favourite part of the process is when she sees the total transformation from the hair.

“I love to see the look on a person’s face and how good they feel,” she says. “It brings tears to my eyes every single time. Knowing that I’m able to contribute to someone’s wellbeing has been very rewarding.”

From The Neck Up is located on the lower level of the Westmount Pharmacy building (Unit 3, 768 Victory Crescent) in Peterborough. Appointments are highly recommended for privacy purposes. Free parking and wheelchair accessible parking is available.

For more information, call 705-775-2797, email frances@fromtheneckup.ca, or visit www.fromtheneckup.ca. You can also follow From The Neck Up on Facebook and Instagram.

Joanne Ilaqua, founder and president of Mamasoup Inc., knows that fear and isolation are very real feelings for new and expecting moms.

As a labour and delivery/postpartum nurse, doula, and childbirth educator with 20 years of experience, she was inspired to get to work, creating an app and blog that would provide moms with connections, support, and community — all from a mobile device.

“I knew that moms usually felt better after talking through their challenges and that many were looking for help online,” Joanne says. “I wanted to help.”

Joanne knew that moms were frustrated when seeking support on social media platforms like Facebook because of how judgement-based the experience could be. Facebook also makes it hard to be anonymous, and some of the topics that new moms want help with are easier to discuss when there is at least some privacy — so Joanne made sure that the community using the Mamasoup App could be anonymous.

The tireless efforts she had made to create a mobile resource space for women to connect, collaborate, and care have now started to show results, and Joanne is happy with the app’s initial progress.

“When I open my phone and look at this space I’ve created and I see women in Tennessee and they’re connecting, and sharing, and setting up play dates — the app is working,” Joanne says.

“This is a safe space to connect and talk and it is working.”

The app is growing at a rapid pace since Joanne made it available for Android as well as iOS devices, and a new version is being developed for a fall re-launch. At this time, the app is still 100 per cent free.

“We’re going to use hashtags so the app will be more searchable,” Joanne explains.

“This will make it easier for users to find the people they need to connect with so that everyone can share advice.”

Joanne says the process has been extremely time consuming — developing an app is a tough thing to navigate. There are so many rules, reviews, and revisions that need to be done on a regular basis. Every day, there is new learning for Joanne.

While working on the app every day, Joanne has also been investing more time in creating content for the Mamasoup blog, an online resource for new moms and expecting moms, and there are resources for parents of teens as well. The blog is growing at a rapid pace and it has allowed for collaboration with other professionals — something Joanne loves.

“I get lonely working from home,” Joanne admits. “Collaborations are exciting, and I love teaming up with people who share this audience.”

The collaborations have allowed her to expand what she offers to her community, such as advice and guidance from a Pilates instructor, and now Joanne is also developing a virtual book club with renowned parenting expert and author Ann Douglas.

“Bringing people together is something I really enjoy,” Joanne explains. “In my family, I’m the one who organizes the parties. Through all of these projects, I’m trying to help people make more connections.”

And people are connecting. The Mamasoup app is showing big numbers and the Mamasoup blog is also getting tons of attention — giving Joanne the encouragement she needs to keep going with these projects.

“I’m a nurse and here I am with an app and with this online business,” she laughs. “This can be very exhausting, but I can’t stop thinking of ways to bring people together with technology.”

Joanne says that nursing was completely collaborative, and the long hours and dedication were a great training ground for her current path. But she notes making an online business work can be a tough slog.

“I’ve had times where I’m trying to figure out what to do with the app or the blog, what direction to go in,” Joanne says. “But then I think about all the women I’m helping, and I know that this is my business and I can take it in whatever direction I want to. This makes me so charged up and it makes me want to keep going.”

Her continued development of online products is good news for the large number of women who connect 24-7 with the supportive environment that Joanne has nurtured over the past years.

“Not all moms need this space but enough do need it,” Joanne says. “When they use it and feel supported, this makes me feel incredible. That’s worth it.”

You can contact Joanne Ilaqua at 705-341-4840 or mama@mamasoup.ca. For more information about Mamasoup, visit mamasoup.ca and read the Mamasoup Blog at blog.mamasoup.ca. You can also follow Mamasoup on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Rachel Northey, project manager with environmental engineering consulting firm Pinchin Ltd., obtained her engineering degree at the University of Waterloo but she grew up in Peterborough.

Her family lives here, as do the members of her team at Pinchin’s office in downtown Peterborough. And, while Pinchin is a national organization, Rachel’s local team can respond to emergencies in the area faster than many environmental services companies.

As a Peterborough resident herself, Rachel takes great pride in keeping her neighbours safe from environmental dangers.

“Pinchin is a national firm with 40 offices and 900 staff,” says Rachel. “We were voted one of the best workplaces from 2006-2016 and were a finalist for the Chamber’s best employer in Peterborough award last year. I started out as a tech doing field work, asbestos assessments of buildings, mould surveys — working lots of evenings and weekends. Now I manage projects and work on business development. I’ve been here for five years.”

Offering a wide variety of services, Pinchin first opened its doors in 1981 and has since grown to have multiple branches across the country.

“Our local office is a group of six people — and we are pretty autonomous,” Rachel explains.

The Peterborough office provides a variety of assessment, cleanup, and educational services to local businesses and homeowners, with a lot of autonomy from head office to get jobs done quickly at the local level.

“We can run most of our main service lines through our office without requiring any sort of support from our head office,” Rachel explains. “We deal with a lot of mould and hazardous building assessments — searching for mercury, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), silica, and asbestos. We also do property due diligence for real estate transactions and provide occupational health and safety testing.”

Rachel says that having a local team means Pinchin can respond quickly when the need arises.

“Our people are local and within the community already, so we can be on site for an emergency faster than other companies who aren’t based in Peterborough.”

Rachel’s fellow project manager is also from Peterborough, so the company feels small to them both. Even though they recognize Pinchin as a national entity, being connected to the community on a personal level makes their local office feel like a small business.

“A smaller, local focus is really the people we want to be connecting with,” she explains. “We have our own labs and our own lab staff and our samples don’t have to cross the border or go out of province for testing. So, if you need results fast, we can turn them around pretty quickly and our ability to do this is definitely a benefit.”

Rachel has recently taken up running and will be participating in a half marathon in Hawaii this year. In her spare time, she is part of an axe-throwing league at a club in Peterborough. In addition to her client work at Pinchin, her team recently volunteered to work on a shoreline cleanup project and to assist with the 2019 MS Walk. She once volunteered with Scouts Canada, overseeing the greater Peterborough area, including 15 different chapters of Scouts.

“If you can make an impact where you physically are located, that sometimes is just as good — if not better — than trying to make an impact on a larger scale,” Rachel says, “We supported the MS walk this year. I volunteered and got to meet some interesting people in the city. We did a shoreline clean up and removed 60 to 70 kilograms of garbage from Roger’s Cove. We’ve also done a few Habitat for Humanity builds in the past.”

As well as investing in her community, Rachel keeps people safe and helps building owners to avoid the negative consequences of ignoring environmental issues — consequences that can include sick employees, costly physical or reputational damages, and even government fines.

“We try really hard to put the client first,” Rachel says. “If they need someone quickly, we’ll find someone quickly who can be there to do the work. We target our service to who you are and what you need. Keeping people safe by getting in quickly is important.”

To the broader community who may never know how close they may have come to encountering something hazardous like asbestos or mould, Rachel and her team could be considered unsung heroes. To Rachel, it’s all just part of keeping Peterborough safe.

“We’re all local and we spend time here,” Rachel says. “It’s nice to make a difference.”

Pinchin Ltd.’s Peterborough office is located at 160 Charlotte Street, Suite 204. For more information, visit www.pinchin.com and also check out their blog at www.pinchin.com/whats-new/. You can also follow Pinchin Ltd. on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

Rachel Northey, EIT, B.A.Sc., can be contacted at rnorthey@pinchin.com or 705-748-4627 ext. 3606, and you can follow her on LinkedIn.