Julie Benoit
Owner - Head Trainer

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About Julie

Aggression in Dogs:Defensive Handling and TrainingJulie was born and raised in New York City. She is a graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelor's of Science Degree. Julie moved from New York to Wilmington, North Carolina in 1992. She now lives in Wilmington with her husband Ed and son Logan.

Julie had 2 dogs before she met Ed, her second husband – a Beagle/Corgi mix named Trixie who passed away in 2015 and a Dachshund named Alice. In 2005 they added Cleo – a Lab/Whippet mix to their pack. In 2016 Julie and Ed got their newest addition to their pack – Jacques – a Boston Terrier/Amstaff Mix.

Julie always wanted a Therapy Dog so she decided to enroll Cleo in obedience classes. After several different facilities, she found Einstein’s K-9. Cleo was very shy and skittish but with a lot of work and help she eventually became the Therapy Dog Julie always wanted. Julie and Cleo have been a Therapy Dog Team at New Hanover Regional Medical Center since 2009.

After taking classes at Einstein’s K9 Julie began her mentorship with Patrice Kaizar – a well known and respected trainer and handler. She and her Dobermans are well known in the Obedience, Agility and Rally circles. Julie started teaching on her own at Einstein’s K9 in 2007.

In October 2016, Patrice Kaizar, owner of Einstein’s K-9 relocated to New Jersey. Julie and Ed decided to “take the leap” and start their own business “Einstein’s Canine College”. When Julie is not training dogs and their people she works at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in the Infection Prevention & Control Department.

Past member Hanover Kennel Club
American Red Cross Pet First Aid – since 2012
Member American Trieball Association (ATA) – since 2013
Professional Member Association Professional Dog Trainers #8551 (APDT) – since 2014
Approved American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen Evaluator #38829 – since 2009
Owner/Handler of 2 CGC and CGC-A Dogs (Cleo and Jacques)
Owner/Handler of 2 AKC Novice, Intermediate and Advanced Trick Dogs (Cleo and Jacques)
Owner/Handler of AKC Therapy Dog
Therapy Dogs International Assistance Dog Certified – since 2009
Cleo achieved her TDIAV (150 Therapy Dog Visits) - January 2017
Approved Therapy Dogs International Evaluator #1210– since 2012
Member National Association Canine Scent Works – since 2014
Professional Member IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals) #7881
Trainer for Pets for Vets - Cape Fear Chapter
Certified Professional Member National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors # 1131 (NADOI) - December 2017

NADOI Certified Puppy and Novice Professional - December 2018

Certified Pet Emergency First Aid and CPR - March 2018
Certified Advanced Pet Emergency First Aid and CPR - August 2019

Seminars, Workshops and Other Stuff:

Annual Paw Jam, Bark in The Park – Hanover Kennel Club Education and Safety Booth
Annual Community Health Fair in Independence Mall with Cleo
Attended Ian Dunbar’s 2 day seminar “Learning Through Games” in 2013
Attended Jacy Kelley’s 2 day seminar “Vehicle and Exterior Searches” in 2014
Attended Jacy Kelley’s 2 day seminar “Exterior: Hunting the Harbor” in 2015
Attended Tony Gravely’s 2 day seminar “Search Like a Pro” in 2016
Attended Michael Shikashio and Trish McMillan's 2 Day seminar "Aggression in Dogs: Defensive Handling & Training" in November 2020
Attended Nelson Hodges 2 day workshop "Relationship Based Behavior Modification Level 1" in February 2020
Attended Nelson Hodges 2 day workshop "Art of Leash Handling & Understanding" in May 2021
Certificate of Achievement: Herm Springer Prong Collar Knowledge Assessment - June 2021

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Samantha Stevens

Samantha Stevens originally born in England was an only child and she began dog training at the early age of seven, while living in Spain, when she erected obstacle courses for her 3 dogs to complete (now formerly known as agility). She spent all other spare time volunteering at the nearby stables and watching horses train for bull fighting and dressage.

Later in life she spent weekends helping out at her aunt’s horse and general menagerie farm. Finally once attaining the freedom of adulthood began training/fostering with service dogs for the blind; fostering dogs from puppies, before they went on to more specified training and becoming service animals.

In 2000 she moved from France and attended UNCW; graduating. In 2003 she fostered and started training a dog (Little Star of Bethlehem, AKA Star) for Carolina Canines, together they graduated UNCW and walked the stage, with a Bachelor’s of Science. Star soon moved on to fulfill her lifelong ambition as a service animal and was outstanding in her role.

Samantha Stevens then joined the NC Rottweiler Rescue first adopting a dog and then becoming a foster parent and very quickly becoming their rehabilitation trainer - specializing in fixing behavioral issues and teaching basic obedience to prepare dogs to be great family pets. At that time it was not unusual for her to walk 10 dogs at a time around her neighborhood or at Greenfield Lake. NCRR was the largest Rottweiler rescue on the East Coast with over 135 dogs in the rescue at its peak, and after having rehabilitated and fostered many dogs for the rescue she withdrew from her role in 2008.

From that time on she has provided the occasional private dog training session and often walks between 6 and 12 dogs at once around the Lake. In 2017 she met Julie Benoit and offered up her foster dog to be a Pets for Vets companion animal. Since then she has fostered, trained and worked with Julie to place three dogs with Veterans.

· Owner/Handler of 3 rehabilitated dogs

· Trainer for Pets for Vets - Cape Fear Chapter

· Certified Pet Emergency First Aid and CPR - March 2018

Here’s what we’ve been working on

About Julie

Samantha Stevens