PACK LEADERS
Our Pack Leaders are compassionate, experienced animal lovers who are all Pet First Aid Certified.
A teamwork philosophy ensures that our Pack Leaders are able to work together on a day-to-day basis and ensure that our group walks are creative and exciting for your dog, letting them meet up with other dogs and packs each day. So fun!
Danielle Gilmour - Liberty Village
Owner + Pack Leader
Pet First Aid Certified
My not-so-secret love and appreciation for animals began at a very young age. Having spent my whole life in the company of family pets and befriended wildlife, my understanding, love and respect for aminals is deeply a part of who I am. After pursuing a career in a fast-paced corporate environment, I soon realized it lacked passion and made the leap to change careers! The big catapult being my own fur-baby, Goose! Knowing how important it is that all animals should be in the care of someone who embraces spending time with them and who appreciates the abundance of love that they have to offer and gives it right back, I sought out a career that aligned with just that.
Set out to learn all I could about a career that would align with my true passion—animals, I took the next steps and started walking in the heart of downtown's Liberty Village. Guess who for? Non other than the Village Dog Pack, of course! After 4 years working with VDP, I decided it was time to open my own business and did so in the Bloor West Area. While the business turned successful quite quickly, my heart was also still heavily invested with the VDP Family. After a year of being on my own, Jenna (the previous owner) and I started discussions about me coming back... but this time, with a new title as Owner.
Five years worth of knowledge and countless miles in the industry, I've gained a wealth of knowledge, respect within the community and countless heartthrobs for all the incredible fur-children. Being very well versed in the language of "dog", I have an attuned understanding of dog behaviour and psychology. I continually educate myself and believe in practicing positive reinforcement (R+) methods. I am Pet First Aid Certified with St. John Ambulance and a confident Pack Leader. Dog or cat owners alike (aka Mom and Dad) can feel confident leaving their 4-legged children in our hands.
Jenna Norman - Fremont Village
Owner + Pack Leader + Dog Trainer
Professional Dog Walking Certification
Pet First Aid Certified
How often do you get to wake up and enjoy the work you do? That's every day for me. My love and passion for animals started when I was a little girl growing up in a house full of cats and by owning my own dog Jax. Moving to Toronto in 2006 from Vancouver, I was exposed to more dogs than I’d ever imagine and I knew I had to get into the pet care industry as I truly liked being outside and playing with canine friends.
In 2013, I was lucky enough to start my career as a Pack Leader, working alongside Kim Cooke and The Village Dog Pack. Over that time, I wanted to make a difference in the life of every dog that I worked with, and that included figuring out a way to develop better bonds with the packs. I started by reading book after book on dog training and behaviour, then enrolled in a sixteen-week dog training course to become our team’s in-house Certified Dog Trainer.
In 2015, I was given to opportunity to take full ownership of the Village Dog Pack and knew I needed to expand my knowledge in order to really provide the support and service every dog and dog owner deserves. To do so, I decided to become a certified dog walker through Dogtech: The Dog Walking Academy; while there I learned more about canine behavior, new pack-management techniques and fight protocols. I’m a firm believer that proper exercise and socialization is essential in maintaining a well-balanced and well-mannered dog.
With all the success of the Village Dog Pack in Toronto, we've been brainstorming and planning the future so we can continue to grow and make ourselves shine both as individuals and as a company. That said, I'm excited to announce that I'll be moving back to Vancouver, to open up our second Village Dog Pack location in Fremont Village, Port Coquitlam. Calling Toronto home for the last 13 years has been so joyful and rewarding beyond words. I'm really looking forward to starting the next chapter for the company and to bring the superior level of service Toronto has grown to love to BC.
"Happiness is coming home to a wet nose and wagging tail"
Nicole Fischer
Social Media Manager + Pack Leader
Pet First Aid Certified
I’m so excited to be a part of The Village Dog Pack family. I take special pride and care in my position as a new pack leader and manager. As a child growing up on a small farm in Nova Scotia I fell in love with all animals, especially with our family dog Brooke. My love for dogs grew into a passion for taking care of them as well.
I am so happy that I get to be a part of such an amazing team who loves and cares just as much as I do and who also accept me as one of the pack. I am more enthused each day to meet and get to know each dog and get to be a part of each one’s daily life and growth.
I’m excited for the adventures to come!