Karen Munro

Owner

Karen's background of running her graphic business in Toronto and Vancouver for 20 years has always been paired with her love of being outdoors. After moving West to find new challenges, Karen met her husband Scott. In 2006, they found the ideal property for dogs to have a rural adventure on Bowen Island, and they decided to launch the Bowen Island Dog Ranch. It was a good match pairing Scott's career working and training dogs and Karen's business background. They spent years tirelessly making the Dog Ranch the highest quality dog boarding business that services Greater Vancouver. With her caring and professional staff, Karen continues to enjoy the many levels of running the successful business and taking care of all her furry friends.

Karen Cote

Manager

Karen Cote came onboard with the Dog Ranch to help care for our canine guests as a dog handler, and now holds the position of Dog Ranch Manager. With her lovely, calm, and professional manner she oversees the staff and the business with Karen Munro. "KC", as Karen Munro calls her, is the glue that holds many programs together with the rest of the team at the Ranch.

"KC" hails from Maine where she created one of the state's most successful small bakeries "Scratch Bakery". She made her way west managing for USA's Homeland Security and several positions that needed the many skills she has to offer. Her time on Bowen, in the last two years with her family on a small farm, has given her much joy. She continues to say that Bowen Island is the "best" place to live yet!

Dayna Woodman

Certified Master Trainer/Dog Ranch's lead trainer

Dayna teaches dog owners how to communicate effectively with their dogs by using modern, positive reinforcement techniques. The Dog Ranch and Dayna believe training should be fun for both the owner and the dog; Dayna keeps all classes and private sessions light and pleasant for all involved.

Dayna received her certification at the renowned Canada West Canine Centre and has worked as a private dog trainer in Vancouver. She has a wide knowledge of dog training including: obedience, agility, service dogs, personal protection dogs, search and rescue dogs, drug, explosive and accelerant detection dogs. Dayna's also one of the many valued trainers and fosterers with Dogwood Sporting Dog Rescue, and is presently a Board Member there. Dayna keeps her training techniques current by attending seminars and learning from leading experts in her field.

Heather Hillier - Dog Groomer

Head Groomer/Dog Handler

Heading up our grooming program is Certified Pet Groomer Heather Hillier. Heather has been cutting and styling all breeds and sizes of dogs for years, and gained her grooming talent in Victoria's many grooming salons. She brings a passionate energy, confidence and patience to head up the grooming program at the Dog Ranch in "The Groom Room", and enjoys dog handling with the rest of the Ranch team when she's not grooming, with her faithful dog Ryder by her side.

Keli Gletsu

Registered Veterinary Technician/Senior Dog Handler/Assistant Groomer

Keli came to the Dog Ranch after working as a Registered Veterinary Technician for 10 years in Ontario and Saskatchewan. Wanting to step back from the pressure of working in a busy vet hospital environment but still work with dogs, Keli moved to Bowen and joined the Dog Ranch in the summer of 2012 to oversee the health of every dog the Dog Ranch she cares for. She brings to the Dog Ranch not only her medical experience and vet tech education (that she continually updates), but also a deep love of our furry guests who respond so positively to her care with love and devotion.

Nikki Nagy

Senior Dog Handler/Shuttle Driver/Administration

Nikki came from Quesnel, BC in 2009 to join her brothers living on Bowen Island. She's been with the Dog Ranch since her arrival and has evolved with the business, becoming an essential part of its success. Her deep love of all the dogs, positive attitude and hard work is very appreciated by Karen and Scott. She can always be found with her faithful beagle "Tucker" by her side and a calm smile on her face.

Matthew McCarthy

Landscaper & Senior Dog Handler

Matthew brings a wide range of landscaping and professional dog handling experience to the Dog Ranch. Matthew's worked for over 10 years maintaining golf courses and gardens both in Ontario and BC. While in Toronto, Matthew started and ran his own dog walking company, "Stroll Patrol", which he's left in his sister's good hands while he seeks out new challenges in BC.

Matthew's hard work and calm demeanor is appreciated daily at the Dog Ranch; he can usually be found with his trusted Australian Shepherd "Turbo" by his side.

Matt Scallion

Property Assistant/Dog Handler/Shuttle Driver

Matt moved from Halifax with Jules already knowing the beauty and rural lifestyle that Bowen Island had to offer as he enjoyed working on the island many years ago. Matt not only cares for the pups daily as a dog handler but also drives the shuttle and helps maintain and improve the buildings and the Dog Ranch property. He brings to the Dog Ranch team a great upbeat attitude and work ethic but also the necessary flexibility to be able to jump from one job to another, as no day is ever the same at the Dog Ranch.

Louisa Bosworth

Dog Handler/Island Shuttle Driver

Louisa grew up on Bowen Island and enjoys being a part of the Dog Ranch dog handling team when she’s not studying full time at the University of Victoria. Louisa’s multi-tasking expertise and obvious love and care of dogs is all part of her genuinely lovely attitude that is very appreciated when she comes back to work during our busy seasons. Everyone always looks forward to her return.

Lauren Spear

Dog Handler/Social Media

Lauren is Bowen born and bred and came onboard with the Dog Ranch team in the summer of 2012 to help handle dogs. It turned out she was social media expert too and was able to help spread the word about the Ranch far and wide. She is studying at Concordia University and when she returns to Bowen she brings a smiling face, great attitude and hard work that is very appreciated.

Robbie Watson

Property Assistant/Dog Handler

Robbie is a Bowen boy and has been with the Dog Ranch during the months when he's not working hard at school in West Vancouver. Robbie's a great asset to the Ranch with his great work ethic and hard work, helping with the property and handling the dogs when needed. He never waivers in his particular fondness for the smaller pups and even though he's over 6' tall, gets down to their level and gives them lots of TLC and big smiles!

Tim Waters

Business Consultant

The Dog Ranch wouldn't exist without Tim! He helped Karen and Scott through the original business plan, designed the Barn, helped landscape and design the administration systems, etc. He's invaluable and such a positive asset to the business; Karen takes her hat off to his expertise and professionalism but most importantly, his friendship.

We appreciate the following hard-working people and businesses, which help make the Dog Ranch the best it can be:

Buff Allen – Apple computer expert

Brad Bacon – Construction landscaping

Eileen Booth – Bookkeeper for Dean Maidment

Jack Callister – Electrician

Jai Cruz - Ethernet/Phone expert

Geoff Degner – Mechanic, Pemberton Auto Services

Kat & Cam Hayduk – Videographers www.turtleboxproductions.com

Free Flow – Website design & programming www.freeflowcreative.com

Simon Jessop - Landscaper

Dean Maidment – Accounting www.rogerdeanmaidment.ca

Michelle Sevigny -  Dogsafe Canine First Aid www.dogsafe.ca

Dave Stalker – Bowen Bay Plumbing

Debra Stringfellow – Photographer www.debrastringfellow.com