Creative force behind the company, Shannon Malmberg is a farm kid who has reconciled her animal-filled childhood by working with dogs in the big city. While studying writing and journalism at the University of Oregon, she volunteered for Project Safe Run and began a life journey with mankind's best friend on the running trails. After graduation, she moved to Vancouver, pulled on a jute sleeve one day, got bit by a police dog named Saint and, for almost 10 years after, played bad guy for The Vancouver Police's dog squad. Besides hiding in dumpsters and bailing out of stolen cars in dark alleys, it allowed her to rub shoulders with talented people who trained dogs to do real jobs. She learned their skills and how the basics of training could be applied to any situation from competitive to pet dog. Some years later and with her own Saint, she completed a three-week intensive trainer's certification course in the US. Today, all grown up and knee-deep in kids and dogs and a kind-hearted husband who endures her time-consuming passion with good humour, Shannon trains personally in obedience, tracking and dabbles in agility. She commits to her own education by attending three to four obedience seminars a year with some of the world's top trainers to further her understanding of dogs and to refine her own individual methodology. This always-expanding education is generously - and enthusiastically - passed along to her clients and their dogs.


Certified Master Trainer Jennifer Cross is a welcomed addition to the Zen Dog team! With a PhD in Immunology, she brings a strong academic influence to our training program and works with clients on an individual basis. Jennifer is certified through the highly respected National K-9 Learning Center in Columbus, Ohio. Her past involvements include tracking, agility and rally-o. Jennifer currently trains and competes in French Ring with her personal dogs and is active in Catahoula rescue.