Julie Benoit

Owner - Head Trainer

Julie 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”. She is presently teaching in Myrtle Beach on Saturdays at the Carolina 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

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