About Us
Melissa De Decker - Owner/Head Trainer
Melissa is a passionate pet care professional with over 10 years of experience in the boarding, training and daycare industry. She empowers owners and educates dogs, amplifying the relationship between people and their pets.
My passion for animals developed at a young age, having grown up in Norfolk County on a tobacco farm which was home to dogs, cats, ducks, chickens, small animals and even a brief visit from a potbellied pig. From a young age I knew that I wanted my career to involve animals. I worked at several boarding facilities and began volunteering with the local humane society at the age of 15.
The rescue world expanded my skillset with dogs, and intensified my passion for achieving a career as a pet care professional. I fostered and coordinated with a large breed dog rescue for nearly 5 years up until its dissolution in June of 2015. During this time I fostered over 300 dogs, some of which faced euthanasia due to severe behavioural issues. I have since gone on to found my own dog rescue known as Taffy’s Legacy Canine Rescue & Rehabilitation.
Taffy was an American Bulldog who made a big impact on my life. She is the dog that made American Bulldogs my heart breed and inspired me to do what I could to preserve and better the breed. In 2019, after nearly 10 years as an enthusiast of the breed I decided to have my first breeding. I have a small home based kennel known as Revival American Bulldogs where I hope to produce healthy and sound American Bulldogs for years to come.
As a commitment to my clients (both human and canine) I am constantly attending seminars to further expand my skill set. I use a balanced training approach that paints in black and white what I am asking of the dog. After all, clear communication is the key to a healthy relationship, whether that be human or canine!
In 2020, when COVID turned the world upside down I partnered up with a friend and colleague in the dog training industry to create Training Dogs Online. By taking our dog training platform online we are now able to help people all around the world.
I have not only found a career that involves animals, but revolves around them. I look forward to meeting you and your beloved fur-family member.
Tara Broadbent - facility Manager
Tara has been with The Dog’s Paw for close to five years now! She started her journey as a Kennel Attendant fresh out of school and fell in love with the job & atmosphere. Tara has an education in Business Marketing & Law Enforcement.
Along with all things DOG in her life, she also owns SnuffliMutts, an online business creating dog enrichment toys.
She is passionate about dogs and will go above and beyond to ensure that your pet enjoys their time with us as well as offering the best customer service to our human clients! Tara is an owner of a 7-year-old, English Bulldog but treats all of The Dog’s Paw guests as her own. She has become well rehearsed in canine body language and behaviour, basic dog grooming and enjoys creating social media content for all of the dog parents to enjoy!
Tara is currently working with Phil, a Revival American Bulldog to gain experience in dog obedience training with Melissa as her mentor.
Nicole Bueckert - Kennel Attendant
Nicole first started as a puppy class student back in 2019, which led her to discover an interest in training and working with dogs. Shortly after graduating puppy class she started work as a kennel attendant and has been loving it ever since!
Aside from spending lots of time supervising daycare and caring for our boarding guests, Nicole also runs a small business of her own as an artist. She focuses on painting pet portraits as well as wildlife, and has been an artist her whole life. Her main painting mediums include watercolour, acrylics, and digital painting.
She also continues her dog training journey with her now 3 year old Australian Shepherd, Ripley. It started here at The Dog’s Paw with puppy classes and has continued to Rally Obedience, Agility, and Trick Training! Together they have achieved an Advanced title in Rally, and are currently working towards Excellent. They are also working on their Champion Trick Dog Title and are hoping to get in the agility ring soon!
Ripley accompanies Nicole to work every day, and is a very enthusiastic daycare supervisor. You may have seen her in many of our daycare play photos, she is always wanting in on the action!