Meet Canine Trade Group – Pivotal Dog Training’s exclusive support team.

John Van Olden – President/CEO – Canine Trade Group

 John is a recognized and respected member of the canine professional community, and the president of Canine Trade Group.  He started the company in 2010 to provide professional development, peer support, administrative, marketing and back office support for an exclusive network of invited professional dog trainers, who are all highly successful, independent, business owners. 

His more than 30 years of experience began in the military and continued to grow as he started the very first dog training franchise in the country, K-9 Advantage, becoming one of the earliest members of the International Association of Canine Professionals, eventually serving on their Board of Directors. 

Cristin Ellis – Operations Manager

Cristin trained and competed with her dogs in agility for over ten years but decided to focus on behavior after bringing home her Border Collie, Sike!. He developed bad habits stemming from fear and anxiety. Although Cristin had a good handle on behavior modification and canine psychology, it took working for Canine Trade Group and attending their in-depth training courses to help fix Sike!’s problems for good.

As CTG’s Operations Manager, Cristin will not only answer a potential client’s call, she’ll be able to relate to and understand the client’s problem. She currently owns three Border Collies, Sike!, Elsa, and Phin.

Dr. Karen Usselman V.M.D. – On Staff Veterinarian Consultant

Dr. Usselman is originally from western New York, attended Cornell University and then the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia.  She graduated in 1996 and joined Brenford Animal Hospital in May 1996.  She is currently a partner with the practice. 

Dr. Usselman enjoys working with dogs and cats.  She is particularly interested in internal medicine, ultrasonography, behavior and dentistry.  She serves as the treasurer of the Delaware Veterinary Medical Association and has taught in the Delaware Technical College Vet Tech program.  Dr. Usselman is married to Dr. Jeff Booth and has two children, three dogs and a cat to keep her busy at home.

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