Here is one of our Therapy Dog Trainers Ms. Marion Postgate with her Canadian Kennel Club Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) Show Dog TINKER. Starting in her early teens, Marion has owned, trained, bred and exhibited Schipperkes and Rottweilers who have won many Obedience and Conformation Trials. She has been a Canadian Kennel Club licensed judge of Obedience Trials, both here and in the US since 1969, and has given seminars on dog training and behavior, dog structure and kinesiology from the Yukon to Florida. But Marion's primary interest has always been in teaching, and helping people and dogs. She started training through the SPCA and the Vancouver Junior Kennel Club. In the ’60s, she worked as an SPCA Director, and in the 70s was very active with WFIDO, teaching Canine Studies, establishing a program promoting dog care and training in Vancouver area schools, and working on fair legislation for people and their animals. Since then she has done consultation work for the City of Vancouver on Pound management policies used to evaluate dogs for adoption, and keep dogs happy before leaving the City Shelter, a “no-kill” facility. Marion has also taught numerous public classes in obedience training for both pet owners, and competitive exhibitors, for over 40 years, and continues to do so today. Many of her students have gone on to become successful instructors and judges. Others are active in therapy dog programs. Marion graduated first in her class at UBC in the field of secondary teaching, and also holds an MA, with a particular interest in the teaching of reading skills. For pleasure, she achieved her Performer’s ARCT certificate in piano from the Toronto Conservatory of music, and plays the violin too.