REBECCA HAYES COPELAND

Owner/Professional Dog Trainer/Professional Groomer

Rebecca has been a local of Grande Prairie her entire life. Loving the combination of city amenities with the close-knit feel of country life; there is nowhere else she would want to put down roots.

Rebecca’s love of dogs has been with her since childhood – she started clicker training her first dog at the young age of 12, and has been in love with dogs and training ever since. That first dog, named Apollo, was even featured in two local plays – The Miracle Worker and Little Orphan Annie – showcasing his training in various tricks and behaviours.

Taking her love of dogs and training seriously, Rebecca found work as a dog groomer as she studied canine behaviour and training with Canadian Canine Training Corp in 2000. From that initial training and certification, the learning has never stopped. Rebecca has travelled across Canada to learn from experts in canine behaviour, training and dog sports. She is a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers, and has taken clinics and seminars in various aspects of training, behaviour, and sports: herding, tracking, scent detection, canine freestyle, agility, trick training, competitive obedience, canine aggression and dog to dog interactions, calming signals, companion dog training, grooming, and more.

Rebecca started Partners Naturally in 2006 after 6 years working as a mobile professional dog trainer. Partners Naturally is Grande Prairie’s first fully-matted training facility for dogs, as well as a full-service grooming salon for dogs of all sizes. We were also one of the first businesses to sell only all-natural foods & treats for your pup in Grande Prairie as Rebecca knows that diet can have a huge impact on the behaviour and well-being of your dog. Partners Naturally expanded to offer doggy daycare services in 2011 so that we could fill the need of a safe place to socialize as well as offer owners the ability to drop their pups off for some daytime training while at work.

Since 2005, Rebecca has also volunteered her time in the community by teaching 4H canine clubs which progressed into also volunteering with Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society in 2011. Recently, Rebecca is expanding her service dog work in Grande Prairie, and will be transitioning into training fully fledged service dog training for individual’s and families in the Peace Country area.

On her own time, Rebecca enjoys competing with her dogs in rally-obedience, competitive obedience, and agility. She’s working on dock diving, scent detection, and disc.

She has a beautiful daughter, handsome son, and loving husband at home, and also enjoys working with her horses in her spare time (and yes, the horses are clicker trained too!).

AMANDA

Graduate of Partners Naturally Grooming Academy 2012. Joined Partners Naturally in 2012.

Reiki Practitioner: completed training as Reiki Master in 1990 with training to work with animals.

Current Pets
Walter: Shih Tsu rescued from Grande Prairie - he loves everyone!
Bishop: Potluck puppy, medium sized, rescued from Edmonton - such a character!
Elli: Poodle cross rescued from Mexico - our little clown.
TJ: Calico kitty rescued from Bezanson area - she's purrfect.

Words cannot describe the joy and honour I get working with dogs. I am especially passionate when it comes to older, sick or deformed dogs (my Elli is missing an eye). And because Reiki is such a part of my everyday being, it is especially rewarding to be able to put my loving Reiki hands on so many wonderful pets.

I also love and can do any and all forms of creative grooming. From a touch of pet friendly nail polish to a full Asian fusion or anime cut with a splash of color (pet-friendly chalk, spray, or semi-permanent dyes).

I have done a number of different jobs since age 16 but I have never felt so at home and fulfilled as I am now as a dog groomer, and can't imagine doing anything else. I especially love the special friendships I have built with so many of my doggy clients!