Our Instructors

Emily Garland -Regina Humane Society Education and Training Coordinator

Emily is a Dog Trainer / Behaviour Specialist with over 10 years of professional experience in Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

As the creator of the Regina Humane Society’s Behaviour Team, Emily has been instrumental in developing in-shelter behaviour modification programs and outgoing transfer programs to see more dogs receive behavioural help. Since it’s inception, the program has decreased behavioural-based euthanasia by 40%. Due to the growing demands of the Training Program, Emily is now training full-time while providing support to the shelter for behaviour cases.

Emily has designed each of the Regina Humane Society classes, developing curriculum for everything from Foundations to Behaviour Modifcation of Leash Reactivity to various sport classes including agility, nose work and tricks.

While she teaches classes each semester, her specialty lies in Behaviour Modification. Throughout the city, her Leash Reactivity classes in particular have become well known for helping dogs and owners live less stressful, less reactive lives. Whether through Basic, Behaviour or Sport classes her goal is a more connected, patient and playful relationship between humans and their dogs.

In her personal life Emily enjoys playing and lounging with her six dogs: two rescued Border Collie mixes (Jinks and Shane), a registered Border Collie (Pip), two Jack Russell mixes (Dunn and Zoidberg), and a Miniature Cattle Dog (Faux). Previously, she was loved by a blind retired sled dog that introduced her into the world of dog behaviour and training. In between her busy work schedule and family life Emily makes time to compete in flyball, agility, rally-o and stunt. In March 2018 Emily and her rescued Border Collie Jinks became the first titled Canadian Stunt Dog team.

Karlie Butler -Trainer

An English as a Second Language instructor by trade and a long-term volunteer dog-walker for the RHS, in Sept 2018 Karlie began to bridge his teaching background and his passion for dogs through the RHS’ Apprenticeship program.

Karlie has worked with many powerful and unruly dogs in his time as a volunteer. He became the shelter’s go-to with taking adoptable dogs out to high-traffic places and working with dogs who other volunteers found difficult.

Karlie apprenticed with Emily Garland, logging many hours each week as he learns the ins-and-outs of basic behaviour training and class management. His focus in on teaching outdoor behaviour-focused classes including Wonderful Walkers and Rockstar Recalls. His goal, just like in his day job, is to get both of you speaking the same language!

At home, Karlie enjoys the company of his two dogs – Bella, a 12 year old chihuahua-dachshund mix and Sky, an almost 3-year-old border collie/ rough collie cross.  Both Bella and Sky were adopted from the Regina Humane Society. He also looks forward to training Sky for dog sports such as Rally Obedience.

Karlie started as a full instructor in July 2019. Karlie teaches many different offerings, but specializes in Focus in Control and Loose Leash and Recall.