Debbie Shoener MacDonald, CPDT (Owner and Dog Trainer & Behavior Consultant)

Debbie has been training dogs professionally for over 45 years. During that time, she has worked with over 14,000 dogs, both in private and group situations. She was a former competitor in the AKC obedience ring, where she earned several titles. She also participated in the sport of Schutzhund, where she earned the highly coveted Schutzhund III title with two of her dogs and competed in 2 regional championships.  She originally started her career working with local police departments and security dogs, then later started serving the general public with their family pets. Debbie is currently a Canine Search Specialist with FEMA.  Her and her German Shepherd Dog,  Zakk, a certified disaster dog, are members of the PA-TF1 (Pennsylvania Task Force 1). Together they are one of 255 teams serving the United States in disaster situations. Debbie is also a member of NADOI (National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors) and APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers). She is a certified as a “Pet Dog Trainer” by the CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers). She is also a professional member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. Debbie is certified in Canine CPR by the Red Cross.

Shirley Miyahara, CPDT (Dog Trainer)

Shirley has been training dogs personally for over 20 years. She has competed in the AKC obedience ring and in the sport of Schutzhund with her dogs. She has earned titles in both rings and is now competing in the Agility ring with her dog Scout. Shirley has been working at Canine Academy since 2000. She is a member of APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers). She is also certified as a “Pet Dog Trainer” by the CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers). Shirley is certified in Canine CPR by the Red Cross and is an American Kennel Club CGC (Canine Good Citizen) evaluatior.

Carole Davis (Groomer and Daycare Worker)

I joined Canine Academy’s staff after retiring from the Grooming Industry after 35 years. I have owned and operated the Grooming Shoppe in Bensalem for 33 years. I was also involved in many rescue organizations and am a long time member of Philadelphia Sheltie Rescue and Brandywine Shetland Sheepdog Club. I am currently involved with other dog clubs and dog activities. I have been working with my own Shelties for several years in Obedience, Rally, Fly Ball and Agility. I have attended various classes over the years in all aspects of dog related issues including health, nutrition, grooming and training. I am certified in canine CPR by the Red Cross. Now that I am retired, I am happy to have the opportunity to be working with dogs in daycare at Canine Academy.

Lauren Jones (Daycare Worker and Office Personnel)

My name is Lauren and I am 26 years old. I have a weimaraner. Her name is Heidi. She is so smart. She has been coming to Canine Academy since she was a puppy. She has been in agility classes for over a year now. I am looking forward to getting a new weimaraner puppy in the fall. Other things I like to do include hanging out with my friends, going to the movies, bowling, playing playstation, and of course, taking my dog out for long runs. I really love working with the dogs at daycare. They are so much fun to watch and take care of.

Lisa Woodard (Nosework Instructor)

Lisa has had dogs most of her life, training several of them for CGC and therapy certification as well as obedience and agility.  She attended her first scent work class at Canine Academy over three years ago and was hooked immediately. K9 Nose Work® created a bond with her dog that she had never experienced before. Learning to read and work with your dog while in their natural state of hunting and searching creates a special bond. That connection became a passion for her. Lisa enrolled in the K9 Nose Work® Instructor Certification program with the National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC®, completing the course within a year. Receiving her CNWI certification in April 2018.

Lisa regularly attends K9 Nose Work® seminars to expand her knowledge of dogs in odor and coaching the handler to help students reach that level of connection with their dogs, whether as a fun activity with your best friend or preparing for trial competition.

Her golden retriever, Rowdy, has earned his Level 1 and Level 2 K9 Nose Work® titles in addition to several K9 Nose Work® Element titles.  Cody, another golden, has his Level I K9 Nose Work® title along with several element titles.

Lisa currently resides in Yardley, PA with her husband Matthew, also a nose work fan, and their two rescued Golden Retrievers- Rowdy and Cody. Both dogs have their CGC Titles (Canine Good Citizen) and are certified therapy dogs with Therapy Dogs International in addition to their nose work titles. She has two grown sons – one on the west coast and one on the east coast.  In addition to teaching K9 Nose Work® Lisa works full time as Director of Creative Services for Lenox Inc. and she enjoys hiking with her dogs.

Bob Wharton ( Dog Trainer)

Bob is a retired corporate controller and has a B.B.A. degree in accounting from Temple University. After retiring, he started a new chapter in his life of working with dogs. Today, Bob teaches basic and advanced dog obedience, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program, Canine Good Citizen, therapy dog, and trick classes. He is also an American Kennel Club Approved Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, where he tests clients and their dogs for S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog awards and titles. Bob earned a certificate from Outstanding Pet Care Learning Center and has attended many dog training classes and seminars. He is a Professional Member of The International Association of Canine Professionals. His passion for training dogs came from a lifetime of training family dogs. Bob and his previous dog, Jackson had worked together as a therapy dog/handler team with Therapy Dogs International and Angel On A Leash. They had amassed over 1500 volunteer therapy dog visits to date. In 2015, he founded Therapy Dogs International Chapter #294 in Bucks County, PA and held the Office of Chapter Director. In 2019, Bob resigned from Therapy Dogs International and reestablished Angel On A Leash “America’s Therapy Dogs” and has held the office of President and is currently Emeritus Director. Bob currently has a Golden Retriever, Cooper, who is in training to become a therapy dog. Bob enjoys traveling with his wife and dog.