2026 Speaker Sessions
Society Clubhouse
967 College St, Toronto, ON M6H 1A6
DAY 1 – Business Speakers
Jenn Dahinten – BSc, CPACO
Jenn Dahinten’s career began in medical air rescue and critical care instruction before moving into pharmaceutical research. But her true passion was always pet care. Sixteen years ago, she took a leap and purchased Royal Pets Hotel and Enrichment. What started as a tiny backyard business with no staff has grown into an award-winning Dog and Cat Hotel with a $1.5 million annual turnover. Today, it offers vacations, daycare, grooming, training, and transport for dogs, cats, and even rabbits, birds, and guinea pigs. The business now runs smoothly with minimal oversight, giving Jenn time to mentor others and support industry growth.
Session: The Professional Pet Care Playbook: Systems, Standards, and Metrics That Matter
Morag Willcox
Beyond day-to-day pet care, she is co-founder of Canadian Pet Care Professionals, a national organization advocating for high standards and recognition across Canada’s pet care industry.
Session: From Chaos to Clarity: Using AI to Organize Your Pet-Care Business
Erika Godwin
Erika Godwin is a leading voice in pet care industry marketing and tech. Blending web strategy, tech innovation, and industry leadership. Erika co-founded ProPet Software in 2014, one of the leading cloud-based management platforms for kennels, daycares, and boarding facilities. She later launched Barketing Solutions in 2017, and in 2022 co-founded Pet Biz Reports, a reporting and analytics tool built to help pet businesses make smarter marketing decisions.
Most recently — and perhaps most game-changing of all — Erika co-founded Canadian Pet Care Professionals in 2025, a national organization elevating standards, education, and advocacy for pet pros across Canada. She’s here to help pet-care businesses level up their digital presence and turn websites into revenue-driving machines.
Session: Pet Pro Website Masterclass: Build Trust, Improve SEO/GEO & Convert Visitors
DAY 2 – Behaviour Speakers
Beverley McKee – CCPDT, CDBC, FFCT
Beverley McKee is the Senior Manager of Public Services at Toronto Humane Society, overseeing Training Services, the Pet Parent Support Network, and key community programs. Beverley has published in major behaviour and veterinary outlets and presented at international conferences.
She brings extensive leadership, program development, and operations experience from both animal welfare and the entertainment industry. Beverley lives with her two Australian Cattle Dogs, Luke and Promise, who actively train and compete in dog sports.
Session: Navigating Canine Aggression: Clear Steps for Safer, Smarter Choices
Andrea Dinan – CCPDT, FFCT, LFDM, KAD-PA
Founder of City Dogs Training & Behaviour
She mentors new trainers through City Dogs and the Animal Behavior College and collaborates with leading experts around the world. Her work centres on evidence-based training, emotional wellness, and creating confident, resilient city dogs.
Session: Stress, Signals, and Safer Strategies Concerning Resource Guarding
Marlene O’Neill Laberge, MSW LFDM-H
Her expertise lies in helping individuals and teams navigate primary and secondary trauma exposure and in developing strategies to effectively engage clients who are often considered “hard to reach.” Holding a Master of Social Work, Marlene is also a Licensed Family Dog Mediator and dedicated shelter and rescue volunteer.