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I wanted to follow up and let you know that I really enjoyed the course and have to say it has been some time since I have enjoyed a day of training to this degree. I thought that your course design and the material was excellent and delivered with an expert balance of information, enthusiasm and entertainment. I love the fact that you remain a student with an open mind and designed the course around your years of experience.

You kept it simple, practical and relevant to what we do in the field and were able to provide practical tactics to difficult or dangerous canine encounters. I also thought the video footage was an excellent tool to solidify your philosophies and teachings. I would not change a thing.

The feedback I have received from our Staff has been amazing! Everyone, including some of our more senior staff loved the course! And you can take it from me, this is very high praise.

I wish you continued success with the Enforcement Training Academy.

Sincerely,

Linda Dent
Public Education Officer
Mississauga Animal Services

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I found your training course excellent. JIM is an excellent presenter, and the information I garnered from the class I have already used with unbelievable results. I wish to thank you for making me a better officer. Although I had to leave just prior to the completion of the course, it has been the most effective training I have had to date in enforcement. Thank you Jim, I greatly appreciated you as a person, and I am grateful for the tools you bestowed upon me.

Tim Smoch
Bylaw Enforcement Officer #59
City of Kamloops, BC

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Just wanted to thank you for the great knowledge that was passed on from the Enforcement Training course. Within a week of taking the course I came across lost and skidish dog. I went to approach the dog and I noticed his posture changed, and he looked like he was going to run. So I sat down on some driveway face in a different direction than the dog and started talking. Within 30 seconds the dog had a new friend! About a minute after, I had the dog coming to me. Thanks again for the training.

Stephen Pratt
Bylaw Enforcement Officer
City Of North Vancouver, BC

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I am so excited to tell you that after your class I went home to see my neighbors dog "at large again". This dog has a great temperament but when he gets loose he is almost impossible to catch. I first tried calling him but he was not interested in "talking with me" so I thought of your second step of Ignoring him, I followed him across the street and sat down on the curb just acting casual, within 5 seconds of sitting down he came right over to me. I could not believe how quickly your technique worked. Your ideas are great, they work and they make perfect sense. Thanks again for a very interesting day, I really learned a lot and look forward to trying all the techniques that you showed us.

Elizabeth Bigg
Parking Control Officer
City of Kamloops, BC

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I really enjoyed the session, Jim made it fun, relaxing and enjoyable, and even though I’ve done animal control for five years now, I still learned a lot. It was easy to forget I was in a course, and the videos and stories were a great help too. Jim is an excellent instructor, showing that there is more than one way to do our job, and sometimes patience is our best tool.

Kendyl Hudson
Peace Officer - Parkland County Patrol
Stony Plain, AB

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I only hear good things about the course you hosted. The information was helpful and she (my employee) really enjoyed the day. There wasn't a boring moment, and she really liked you as a speaker. I thought I would let you know. For sure I will be at the next course! !

Martine Veenhoven Huyssoon
Kennel Owner – Old MacDonald Kennels
Red Deer, AB

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I thought the course was very helpful and useful. I had to use the skills and techniques taught the very next day. I had a call about a German Sheppard Dog and 4 of her pups at large. I located the dogs, where a young man was chasing them when I arrived. I asked him not to chase the dogs (he also grabbed 2 of the pups in his chase), the mother dog snapped at him and was growling. I proceeded to confine them into a fenced yard and asked the young man to bring back the 2 pups because the mother was nervous and upset. He brought the other 2 back and the mother dog seemed to calm down and not be so excitable. I then proceeded to gain the mother dog’s trust by bending down and ignoring her pups. She eventually came to me where I could leash her (and of course the pups followed). The skills and techniques Jim taught us worked. I was very happy and proud of myself regarding this incident and owe it all to Jim and his wonderful teaching and instructing. I now have more confidence in myself to handle dogs. THANK YOU JIM!!!

Tracey Struz
Bylaw Enforcement Officer
Camrose, AB

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Alan and I learned so much at your course. We discussed it on the drive home and we loved it, we especially liked the video clips. It was easier to understand what to do when we saw it played out on the videos. We thought a few more dog attacks or biting videos would be nice though, to see the reaction of the dogs and what not to do, and to see the attitude of the dogs before (ears, stance, etc.).

It was nice to not have much theory. I personally find that I learn better from someone who’s been there and done it, rather than someone who is just reading from a book.

All in all, we came out of the course 100 times more knowledgeable than when we went in, and can’t wait for the 5 day Level 2 course! We will be there!!!

Thanks again,
Kim Goldhawk
Bylaw Compliance Services
High River, AB

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Unsure of what I was getting myself into, I decided to take the Level 1 Advanced apprehension & handling course offered by the Enforcement Training Academy, in Red Deer.

After arriving, I was pleased to find out that our instructor had over 20years experience of apprehending and handling stray dogs. This was useful knowledge and I gained at least 2 years of knowledge in one day. I had never taken a law enforcement animal handling course, and was grateful to find it informative.

The food offered was delicious; our instructor was pleasant, cheerful, and excited to teach the course to some rookies. Not only did we get dog handling/apprehending experience, we were able to be involved in role play scenarios.

I recommend this course to officers and public employees who may deal with stray or dangerous dogs in the course of their employment.

Shane Ashdown
Municipal Enforcement Officer
Town of Vermilion, AB

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I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you and your staff on the Advanced Apprehension & Handling course. The course was educational, and we learned some very useful tools to assist us in the safety of ourselves as Animal Control Officers, and the animals we apprehend. Aside from being educational, it was a very fun day! You have a super way to present the information! The facility was fantastic, and the lunch that was provided was terrific!

Great Job!

Karey Loftus
Community Peace Officer
City of Wetaskiwin, AB

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Real good course in general. For a lot of the morning portion I would not have known it was an Animal Control course. Personally, I learned a bunch of new info and tips that will be used in the field when on ACO duties.

Jim has solid experience, backed up by quality recorded videos that prove it's worth and provide the empirical evidence to support his techniques.

He wasn't warm and fuzzy, and never sugar-coated the truth about certain situations. IE: Dog attacks and self defense.

The portion that the average ACO should have gained the most info on is the reality of knowing and being aware/alert of the environment. Followed-up by explaining one's options based on worst case situations. Because Jim is an ACO, the persons attending the course may be more inclined to listen rather than dismiss him as another hard ass wanna be cop, teaching use of force related stuff. This portion of Jim's course alone is superior to what we are currently receiving for our use of force training. Every piece of info Jim shared was followed by his own personal experiences of which be learned from.

Bottom line, I have walked away with more knowledge.

Barrie Bude
Bylaw Enforcement Services
Capital Regional District, AB