OUR TEAM

Muttz with Mannerz™ is dedicated to pet education and care. We have a passion for pets and their parents, and lots of energy to deliver the best program possible. Our team of experts combined education and experience covers extras like pet first aid, canine language, dog obedience, off-leash play, nutrition, and excellent customer service. We are actively involved in our community and support local rescues to touch more lives. Our commitment is that your Muttz moments have a positive impact on your family by developing a pup you can be proud of at home and in the community.

Corey McCusker, CPDT-KA  President and Canine Coach

Corey’s passion for helping humans and dogs excel led her to take a leap of faith and leave her corporate job in 2006 to start two coaching companies. She works with business leaders & high-performance teams, as well as canines. Corey’s 30 years of diverse experience includes over 15 years of dog training, 22 years corporate experience, and the last 13 years as a successful Solopreneur delivering a niche service coaching high performing leaders, athletes, and canines to achieve their goals.

Corey’s roles have included Senior Manager, Dog Trainer, Vet Assistant, Group Tour Leader, and Mental Performance Coach. She believes in giving back to the community and over many years has volunteered at the Toronto Humane Society and the OSPCA. Currently, she is active with Markham Fair, Stouffville Ladies Floor Hockey League, and is proud to be an evaluator for St. John Ambulance Dog Therapy Program. She also holds the position of Director of Communications on the Canadian Association for Women Entrepreneurs and Executives.

Corey has made Stouffville her home for the last 18 years and shares it with Mike, her partner, two step-daughters, Karla and Alison, Skye, her 2-year-old Manitoba Mutt, plus her two energetic kittens, Dino and Demi. She stays active with her two businesses and when not with the canines or family she loves playing floor hockey with the ladies or golfing with Mike.

Barbara Rogina, Canine Coach 

Barbara brings another dynamic to our team as she is a teacher and trainer of both humans and canines. Barbara has been teaching dog obedience classes for the past 10 years with Muttz with Mannerz™ with a focus on puppy manners, fun with scenting and fun with agility. She is also a yoga instructor qualified to teach various types of yoga. Barbara has expanded her knowledge of pet care in her role as a part-time receptionist at the Stouffville Vet Clinic.

Barbara, like so many of our staff, believes in giving back and is a member of the St. John Ambulance Dog Therapy program where she dedicates many hours visiting hospitals, retirement homes and high schools with Hunter, her four-legged son. Their calm, kind, enthusiastic personalities bring joy to those they encounter.

Barbara continues educating herself by taking courses and training in the pet care world to expand on what she delivers. We are excited that she’ll be offering new programs such as DOGA; bring your dogs to yoga, and Scenting courses.

Barbara shares her home with Hunter and Baxter. In her free time, she loves to cycle and spend time with family.

Kelli Gilliss,  Groomer and Canine Coach

Kelli brings an extensive background of dog training and behavior management to her work as a Certified International Groomer and Canine Coach. She is a graduate of Sheridan College Animal Health and Sciences and continues her education in Advanced Canine Nutrition and the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers.

Her experience began in 1991 as a groomer and progressed to include multiple awards in the competitive grooming industry and titles in dog obedience. Kelli will continue grooming and we are excited she is able to add to our team as a Canine Coach and Daycare Specialist. Kelli started training and competing in obedience and agility in 1994, as well as performing with an animal actors touring group. She has titled multiple dogs in confirmation, obedience, Rally-O, agility, disc dog, herding and tracking. Her passion lends its expertise to handling difficult to manage animals in both her grooming and training platforms. She has been working as an “in clinic” trained veterinary technician since 1998 and is currently working and learning as a Holistic Veterinary associate.

Kelli keeps a happy home with two dogs, Maui (Miniature Aussie) and Crue (Australian Shepherd), her two teenage children, Ella and Owen, and her husband, Steve.

Mike Willimott, Operations Manager

Mike brings 30 years experience in the tool and die industry, including mechanical design. As the Operations Manager he brings to the team a member who is dedicated to helping create a safe, secure space for pups and pet parents. Mike works behind the scenes to make sure operations run smoothly at Muttz with Mannerz™. He has a passion for building and is a perfectionist for detail.

Mike grew up in Wallaceburg, a small rural town in Chatham township. He shares a passion for pets and was always surrounded by animals as his family embraced a variety. Mike’s family owned dogs, standard breed racehorses, cats, fish, and rabbits. This helped develop his kind and caring personality to people and animals.

Mike shares his home with Corey, his two daughters, Karla and Alison and Cleo, miniature poodle plus two energetic kittens.  When he is not helping at the facility or spending time with family you’ll find him with his favourite past-time on the golf course swinging clubs.

 

In Memoriam

Diane Purser, Former Education Manager and Community Liaison

It is with deep sadness we acknowledge a great loss to the world with the passing of our friend, Diane.

Diane left the corporate world after a successful career Diane devoted her time and energy to her life long passions; dogs, animal welfare and humane education. Her varied roles brought expertise in fundraising, community events and extensive knowledge in pet education.

Diane held volunteer positions as a Fundraising Coordinator with Pugalug Rescue and as a Therapy Dog Evaluator for St. John Ambulance Dog Therapy Program. She had been involved in community education with the OSPCA and shared such programs as Bite Prevention, Responsible Dog Ownership, and the Youth and Pets Program.  Her goal was to find dogs their forever homes and keep them there, ultimately lowering the number of unwanted dogs entering shelters and rescues.

Diane shared her life with her supportive husband, Keith, and her son, Kyle, who both shared her passion and concern for the well being of animals. Their home has been graced with 5 wonderful dogs:  Mikki, Maggie & Neeko (pugs), Teeny (Yorkie-x), and Tippy (Pom-x).

Honorary Members & Mascot

 Special recognition goes to Cathy, Muriel, and Finnegan (R.I.P. 13-year-old Golden Double Doodle). We have been honoured to have them as members of our Team for the past 10 +years. Corey met Finnegan as a pup, a crazy little devil. You can thank Finnegan for our Play Dates, they were created as a result of Finnegan needing a safe space to romp around! We consider him to be our Mascot as he had done every program, been at every event and was a fun, loving giant whom everyone adored.

His pet parents, Cathy and Muriel are always willing to give us a helping hand whether it be for fixing things, hosting our staff socials and helping us with our community events. We are forever grateful for their efforts, support, and kindness.

Rainbow Bridge

Corey’s heart still holds special space for those that have gone to Rainbow Bridge as they were the reason and foundation of this journey, Fred(Maltese), Charlie (Morkie), Kira and Tiny (Great Danes) and Tilly (Minature Daschund).