INTRODUCING Nicole Emery

Hello, my name is Nicole Emery. Growing up in northern Ontario I always had a passion for animals and a desire to help them and dreamed of being a Veterinarian. We always had a family dog, but never any breed in particular. As I entered my post secondary life I decided that I would help the wild animals of our earth and graduated as a Fish and Wildlife Technician and an Integrated Resource Management Technologist and this road led me to BC.

Eventually, my childhood desire of helping animals caught up with me and I returned to school yet again. I graduated from Thompson River University in 2001 as a Registered Animal Health Technologist (RAHT). It was my last semester of Tech school where I met Domi, a 4 month old Rottweiler. He was brought into our program from the local pound and after the semester was completed, I adopted him. As a project for one of my classes, I had Domi tested as a Pet Therapy dog and he passed with flying colors.

After graduation, I moved to Campbell River to start my career as a RAHT at Coastland Veterinary Hospital. Domi and I were also eager to start visiting the hospital and long term care facilities but we needed to belong to a Pet Therapy group. Thankfully, another local dog lover, Doe Shires introduced me to a gentleman who was also interested in starting a Pet Therapy group in Campbell River. Domi and I arrived at Yuculta Lodge to meet the gentleman and his dog to discuss our interests and this is where I met Ian Emery and his Great Dane Titus. From there we started the Campbell River Branch of the Pacific Animal Therapy Society and eventually our life together. Our dogs Domi, Titus and Daisy were certified Therapy dogs.

Ian and I joined the CRDFS 8 years ago.  Ian served as president of the club and we also taught basic obedience. Our son Nathan spent his first year in a stroller watching us provide dog owners of Campbell River with tools for basic training.

I guess you can say that we’re not typical club members since we don’t own a particular breed of dog, we don’t show dogs, and we don’t compete in any form of dog sport. We are just dog lovers and that is what is so great about the CRDFS. You just have to have a passion for dogs.

Ten years have passed and Ian and I celebrated our 8th anniversary this May with our two boys. Nathan who is 5 ½ years old and Nolan who is 4 years old. You never know where your love for dogs will take you and who you’ll meet….even at the old age home!

My newest passion is my membership with the Canadian Animal Assistance Team and I have a deep desire to educate people on the problem of pet over population. My latest trip to Carmacks, Yukon has sparked a desire to participate in more animal wellness projects with CAAT.  (www.caat-canada.org)

Today we share our home with Flash Gordon a 4 yr old rescued Chihuahua/Italian Greyhound, and Martha an 8 month rescued Pitt Bull cross. Both of these dogs are from the USA and both came from high kill shelters.