Meet Canine Trade Group – James River 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 is the Operations Manager for Canine Trade Group, which means clients who call CTG’s toll-free number may very well find themselves speaking with her. Cristin is an accomplished trainer herself, with ten years of experience in canine agility training, so clients can be sure they’re speaking with someone who understands the challenges that can come with letting man’s best friend become a part of the family.
Cristin’s knowledge of canine behavior was enhanced after starting with Canine Trade Group, and she used the in-home training methods taught by CTG trainers to help with her own dog’s behavior problems—resource guarding and fear aggression.
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.
