Claire Kilburn
CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, Atlas CT
Claire has been working with dogs since 2015, when she joined the team at When Hounds Fly in Toronto. Over the following 7 years, she would go on to teach group classes for puppies and adult dogs, private lessons for behaviour issues, and launch the When Hounds Fly Service Dog Program. Over this period of learning she earned her CPDT-KA designation (Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed), graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and graduated from Karen Pryor Academy’s Dog Trainer Professional program, under Andre Yeu. After leaving When Hounds Fly in 2022, Claire completed the Atlas Certified Trainer program, to further solidify her knowledge in service dog training. Alliance Service Dogs was founded concurrently.
Claire has a special passion for working with neurodivergent clients and disabled youth. She is informed by her own experience with mental health and chronic pain. She also hopes to make a positive impact by bringing awareness and education about assistance dogs to Toronto's businesses, schools, and public services. In her free time, Claire actively trains and competes in dog sports — including rally obedience, agility, and scent detection — with her 4 year old Border Collie, Venn.
Notable speaking engagements:
Medicine Hat College (2023, 2024), multiple talks for the Service Dog & Canine Studies Program
The Mabin School (2024), “Service Dogs and Disability” for Grade 5
Sambaa K’e First Nation, Northwest Territories (2024), “Dogs in the Community”, in collaboration with One Health Partners
Christina Taccogna
Christina has been following her passion for teaching dogs and their guardians for the past several years. After earning her BFA at OCAD U, Christina attended the Animal Behaviour College and earned her ABCDT certification. She then started her own dog training business, Kindred Moments Canine, and was awarded the title of “Top Three Trainers in Brampton” in 2018. She has since earned her CPDT-KA as well as becoming a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (Do More With Your Dog). Recently, Christina was invited as a guest speaker at York University to present on the “Exploration into the Human-Dog Bond and Its Influence on Mental Health”.
Christina shares her life with one of her greatest teachers: Zombie, her Boston Terrier. Zombie is one of eight Boston Terriers in all of Canada to have earned his Expert Trick Dog Title (ETD), and has received a first place ribbon in CARO Rally-Obedience. Most recently, Christina welcomed a German Shorthaired Pointer puppy, Monster, who she hopes will join her in scent detection, hunting sports, agility, and trick training.
CPDT-KA, ABCDT, CTDI
Ari Wichert
Ari graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Critical Equity Studies and Psychology. They worked for years with children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities before starting their current work in dog training. Their own business, Roam Dog Training, provides adventure-based positive reinforcement dog training, boarding, and walking in East Toronto. Ari has their CPDT-KA designation, and is a certified FDM (Family Dog Mediator). They are working toward their KPA-CTP (Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner) qualification and the Aggression in Dogs Master Course (Michael Shikashio). Ari is canine first aid certified.
Ari welcomed home a Labrador puppy, Figment, in July 2023. They plan on competing in dock diving, rally obedience, barn hunt, and scent work, and training for service work.
CPDT-KA, FDM
Billie Shannon
CPDT-KA, CSAT
Born and raised in Ireland, Billie moved to Toronto in 2014. As with most dog trainers, her lifelong obsession with animals started as a child. Billie would often bring home stray dogs and injured wildlife, much to her family’s dismay.
Billie has a Masters in Organizational Psychology and Behaviour. In 2020, Billie left the corporate world to pursue dog training. She was hired as a full-time pet dog trainer for When Hounds Fly in Toronto, and worked there for over 3 years. During this time, Billie also became a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT). Billie also runs Bark to Basics, where she focuses mainly on separation anxiety and reactivity in dogs.
In her spare time, Billie hangs out with her 12-year-old rescue Shih-poo, Todrick, who loves to train. Together they have completed some Rally Obedience fun matches and earned some trick titles. Billie also keeps pet rats and has cared for a total of 16 (and counting!) over the years.
Our Standards of Practice
All students in the Alliance Service Dog Training Program meet the following criteria.
The student is in possession of an up-to-date letter from a regulated medical professional detailing their need for a service animal.
The student is disabled, with life-limiting symptoms impacting multiple aspects of daily functioning.
The student would benefit from a minimum of 2 trained tasks performed by a service dog.
The dog has been cleared by their veterinarian for service work, including x-rays in the case of mobility training.
The dog does not have a bite record, history of aggression, or training in personal protection.
The student is dedicated to using the least invasive, minimally aversive methodology in training their dog.
