Lynda Kitson, Owner, K9 Compass and Walks 'N' Wags Certified Instructor

I am very passionate about Pet First Aid. I truly believe that it's an integral part of being a responsible pet owner and an absolute requirement if you work in the Pet Industry. When I teach, I know I'm making a difference in people's lives and possibly the lives of their pets.

​I am also a Dog Trainer at Who's Walking Who, a member of the Woofjocks Canine Allstars and an active Volunteer with Golden Rescue. I was a Dale Carnegie Instructor for 15 years, a True Colors Facilitator and I have a Certificate in Adult Education.

Emma, Golden Retriever and
​Pet First Aid Demo Dog

Emma was featured in the June 2012 issue of The Grid as one of Toronto's Hardest Working Dogs for her work as my Pet First Aid Demo Dog. She loves to ham it up in class and make people laugh. We have worked together now in so many classes that she knows exactly when to do what. She also loves it when other people practice their new skills on her.

​Emma is also an active member of the Woofjocks Canine Allstars, a volunteer at Golden Rescue events and is often my demo dog for obedience classes at Who's Walking Who.

Molly, Golden Retriever and
​Course Content Contributor

Molly and Emma are half-sisters, but unlike Emma, Molly is not crazy about being bandaged up. Instead, she favours the more academic side of Pet First Aid and prefers to provide me with real life contributions to share with the class.

​Like Emma, Molly is an active member of the Woofjocks Canine Allstars, a volunteer at Golden Rescue events and my demo dog for Tricks and Musical Freestyle at Who's Walking Who. This may explain why she doesn't like the restrictive feeling of bandages compared to the freewheeling sensation of dancing to music.

Vaughan Kitson, Editor in Chief and Behind the Scenes Assistant

People are always amazed at the amount of material I bring to class - 14 cases filled with everything from stuffed animals, course workbooks and pet first aid kits (for use in class and for sale), to CPR mannequins, projector, computer, etc. Vaughan loads my car before class and then unloads it when I get home. He even has dinner waiting for me!

​Vaughan is also the editor for everything I write, ensuring there are no spelling or grammatical errors. As he is Pet First Aid Certified, you'll often see him at our booth chatting to people about Pet First Aid, whenever we exhibit at any of the various Pet Trade Show Events.

Charger, Past Golden Retriever and
​Course Content Contributor

On November 25, 2016, Charger crossed the Rainbow Bridge. He was the newest member of our team and provided me with many examples to use in class. 

We adopted Charger on March 16, 2015 at the age of 9 from his Golden Rescue foster home in Manitoulin Island. We knew Charger had many health issues, but he was one of those Goldens who possessed a deep and loving soul. He took life one day at a time, never rushed, always calm. ​Charger survived a series of major health challenges until he lost his final battle and went quietly on his own. For more about Charger, visit Our Blog.

Kayla, Past Golden Retriever and
​Course Content Contributor

Kayla was 3 months short of her 15th birthday when she crossed over the rainbow bridge. Kayla was relatively healthy until she turned 11. Then she began having seizures. I remembered what to do when she had her first one. But what I didn't remember was what could happen after she came out of the seizure. That's when I decided I needed to take the Pet First Aid course again.

​By that time the course had been sold to Walks 'N' Wags and they were expanding. My teacher asked if I would be interested in becoming an Instructor and I jumped at the opportunity. The rest is history. 

Amber, Past Golden Retriever and
​Course Content Contributor

Amber was just over 14 when she crossed the rainbow bridge. She touched everyone's hearts with the depth of her soul. Amber was the reason I took my first Pet First Aid course in 2007. At that time, it was run by Oaklands Educational Services. Amber had some health issues throughout her life and when she turned 12, I wanted to be prepared for what might happen to her in her senior years.

​Little did I know back then, that taking my first Pet First Aid course would be the catalyst for what I do today.