Charlottetown & Summerside, PE

Our Team

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Shannon Noonan - Founder, KPA-CTP, CBCC-KA, Atlas-CT, CBATI-KA

Founder of Spot On Dogs, Shannon specializes in Behaviour, Service, and Therapy Dog training. Shannon founded Carleton University's Therapy Dog program which remains a beloved gem today.

Shannon's current dogs include a Dalmatian, Elroy, and Great Dane, Truman.

Beth Dowbiggin, KPA-CTP, FDM

Beth is becoming our resident puppy expert; as a dog walker she developed skills to run play groups, force-free handling, and socialization and play as therapy.

Beth loves all things herding breeds and has two border collies of her own, Mack and Hamish.

I am most proud of being part of a company that prioritizes their ethics above all else; supporting well-being of the humans and the animals.

Beth Dowbiggin, Spot On Dogs Trainer

Jenna Francis

Jenna holds a B.Sc from UPEI, with 10 plus years working in the animal industry; first at a wildlife park and the majority of that experience working as a Vet Assistant at the Summerside Animal Hospital. She's currently working through coursework on the Grisha Stewart Academy.

Jenna is a ferret lover at heart - but can often be found with puppies or kittens in tow as she is a widely sought after local animal expert in Summerside!


Danielle Nadeau

Danielle has completed the IAABC Professional Dog Training: Science & Application course. This is an intensive course for which she received a full scholarship and completed with flying colours!

Danielle is an empathetic service dog advocate. Her life was changed by her service dog, Murphy, and now she's dedicated her lifelong learning path to dogs in return. .

Aletha Dobie, CPPS

Aletha is a Certified Professional groomer, having passed rigorous written and practical skills examinations. She was also previously an Obedience Trainer having taken education at Canada West Canine Centre. Aletha has "crossed over" to positive training methods and is dedicated to lifelong learning with animals.

Aletha shares her life with her many animals canine, feline, equine, avian, and more on her acreage in Harvey, NB.

PEI's Premier Dog Training Community

A Letter from the Founder | Spot On Dogs

Born from campus Therapy Dog success, we bring welfare-first, behaviour-driven training to Prince Edward Island.


Hi—I’m Shannon, Founder of Spot On Dogs. As a Summerside native, I spent 11 years “away” working across Canada in Student Affairs; most recently at Carleton University where I built an integrated facility Therapy Dog program as an upstream mental health resource. I had adopted my first dog as an “adult”—a Great Dane/Pointer mix named Blue—and the moment I looked into his single blue eye, I knew he was destined for greatness.

When Blue began drawing students and staff from every corner of campus and lifting more spirits than any workshop, I was hooked. With his popularity, the university handed me a pot of money to pilot a larger therapy-dog program. So, I set aside imposter syndrome and dove into Best Friends Dog Training’s professional certification. Within a year I was staffing Carleton’s expanded therapy dog team and actually teaching weekend obedience classes myself at Ottawa’s top training school. Today, 20 dogs bridge students to mental-health resources on campus; a legacy born from Blue’s quiet magic, and one I continue to steward with Carleton. 

In early 2021, my husband and I felt the pull of home and we moved back to Prince Edward Island; and to finally turn my welfare-first training vision into reality. My guiding philosophy is in training that puts your dog first—because a dog who feels safe and understood learns faster, stays confident, and strengthens the bond you share. I channeled that insight into Spot On Dogs—built a simple website, a vintage logo of my Dalmatian, Elroy, and a promise to put dogs’ welfare first. Within weeks of launching Spot On Dogs, behaviour-consulting slots were filling up with dogs struggling with reactivity, anxiety, and fear. Realizing I needed more tools for complex cases, I dove into advanced dog-training certifications alongside learning from experts in vet behaviour at the Atlantic Vet College. 

By early 2023, bookings were six weeks out. I hired my first trainer, and in March 2024 we opened our own home at 4 Walker Drive. In 2025, we added a 3,300 sq ft fenced yard for safe play and class expansion. Today, our five-trainer team offers:

  • Puppy Prep School: intensive Day School program for 10-14 week old pups
  • Group Classes: Puppy, Obedience, and Specialty topics
  • Complex behaviour consulting: tailored plans for reactivity, fear, anxiety, aggression
  • Tails to Trails: community leash-walking on PEI’s scenic trails
  • Service-dog coaching & support: structured training for handlers and canine partners


And We’re Just Getting Started
 In 2026, Spot On Dogs will be entering our 5th year—and I’m already dreaming forward to our 10-year milestone. I can see…

  • Expanding with A.I. powered digital courses on welfare-first training for dog-parents worldwide
  • Launching an island-wide network of safe-space “pop-up” training areas 
  • Partnering with our local shelter to offer community grants for behaviour support
  • Hosting PEI’s first conference on canine resilience and mental health
  • Advocating for Service-Dog regulations on PEI to protect handlers with disabilities and canine partners

Because here at Spot On Dogs, we believe that when dogs and people learn together in a compassionate, educated, and supportive community—that’s when real transformation happens. And you’re never in it alone.

Ready to join us?

———–

Shannon Noonan

Founder, Spot On Dogs

KPA Certified logo which indicates a professional dog trainer certified the Karen Pryor Academy.
CBCC-KA certified logo which indicates a Certified Behaviour Consultant - Canine, Knowledge Assessed.

Karen Pryor Academy – Certified Training Partner

KPA certification involves rigorous training and evaluation. Trainers must demonstrate a high level of competence in understanding animal behaviour, designing training plans, and effectively communicating with both dogs and their people. Hiring a KPA certified trainer provides peace of mind, knowing that you are working with a qualified professional who prioritizes your dog’s well-being, uses ethical training mehtods, and has the expertise to help you achieve your training goals.

Certified Behaviour Consultant, Canine

The CPDT is the leading independent certifying organization for the dog training profession. The CCPDT is the leader in the development of rigorous exams to demonstrate mastery in positive reinforcement training methods, behaviour modification, and canine behaviour. CBCC-KA is the advanced certification indicating that a dog behaviour consultant has passed a comprehensive exam on behaviour modification and has at least 300 hours of dog behaviour consulting experience.

Our Vision

Creating connection through providing compassion and support to every dog and human. 

There's a better way to grow.

Help your dog choose better behaviour without compromising their welfare.

Because “good for the dog” should also mean “good for the human” and vice versa.