Rachel Koopman-Gough CCBW CSCC CTDI

Welcome!
I am a dedicated animal-lover who has been fortunate enough to be able to follow my passions.

As a fully insured and certified canine bodyworker and fitness professional, I am committed to improving the well-being of every dog I work with. I aim to enhance their comfort and happiness and help support their humans learn how they can be the best team member for their canine partner. I am passionate about learning and stay updated with the most recent research and techniques to provide the best care possible.

I am a graduate of the North Carolina State University’s Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach program, a Certified Trick Dog Instructor, and Certified Canine Body Worker. I am a Professional Member of IEBWA (International Equine Body Worker Association) – Small Animal Division, and as such complete Continuing Education requirements annually as well as abide by strict professional and ethical Scope of Practice standards. I am certified in Canine First Aid, and carry liability insurance through PROFur.

With my two Golden Retrievers, I actively train and compete in Rally Obedience, Obedience, Hunt and Retriever Tests, and play in many other areas such as trick dog, tracking, and a wee bit of dock diving. We are fortunate to live in an area with copious hiking and swimming opportunities and this, coupled with our mild climate (for Canada!), allows us plenty of opportunities to play outdoors.

Through my experiences, I have witnessed firsthand the tremendous benefits arising from incorporating regular bodywork and conditioning into your dog’s life. From the life-long benefits conferred on young puppies by early handling and positive interactions with care professionals, to the improved mobility and quality of life that bodywork and strengthening exercises can give our older dogs, bodywork and conditioning truly can help dogs of all ages.

I strongly believe in the tremendous benefits that animals bring to our lives, and spent many years involved with Therapeutic Riding (Riding for the Disabled, as it was called then) both before, and since coming to Canada.
I have been sharing my passions through teaching since I was in my early teens teaching young riders at Pony Club. After high school, I studied a program of Applied Sports Science which was focussed on coaching and developing elite athletes. Due to my background with Therapeutic Riding, I was fortunate to be able to expand the definition of elite athletes for myself and my classmates.

Since moving to Canada, I trained and worked as a commercial pilot (aeroplane and helicopter) for a number of years before moving into Operations Management, Safety and HR side of operations. These years as a pilot, Human Resource Manager and Occupational Health & Safety Advisor have given me valuable skills for communication and attention to detail.

But always, throughout everything – there were dogs.

While I was teaching flight training, my dog Tui – a rescue Shiba Inu/German Shepherd cross – would come with me to the airport. She was my first dog as an adult, and I had no idea how to train a dog… but I did know how to train a horse. And wouldn’t you know it – clarity, patience, and rewards worked just as well for a feisty rescue as they did for my off-the-track thoroughbreds!
This approach forms the base of all of my interactions with dogs and horses (and people) to this day – clear communication is key… and we all learn best when we are having fun!

Credentials & Continuing Education

I am dedicated to improving my skill set and knowledge, taking many hours of CPD yearly,

• CCBW (Certified Canine Body Worker) – The Canadian Institute for Equine and Canine Body Work 2024
• CSCC (Certified Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach – North Carolina State University 2024
• CTDI (Certified Trick Dog Instructor – Do More With Your Dog Inc 2022

• Canine First Aid – DogSafe 2023

• Canine Trigger Point Massage – Ken Bains, through The Canadian Institute of Equine and Canine Bodyworks – Externship in progress
• The Dynamic Dog – Biomechanics and Advanced Gait Analysis. Canadian Institute for Equine and Canine Body Work – Externship in progress
• Diploma in Animal Osteopathy – Canine and Equine (London College of Animal Osteopathy) – in progress
• Movement Puzzles Level 1, (The Moving Canine). 2023-4
• Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer – Module 4, 2022
• Canine Conditioniing Coach membership since 2023
• Introduction to Structure and Gait Analysis, (Tara Monahan – Canine Fitness Innovations), 2022
• Functional Fitness for the Active Dog, (McIntyre Canine Rehabilitation – Carolyn McIntyre) membership since Feb 2022
• Preventing and Addressing the Iliopsoas, (Dr. Debbie (Gross) Torraca, Fenzi Dog Sports Academy), 2024
• Canine Sports Medicine for the Performance Dog Handler, (Sue Yaroff, DVM, Fenzi Dog Sports Academy).
• K9 Conditioning, (Dr. Debbie (Gross) Torraca, Fenzi Dog Sports Academy), 2022
• The Joy of Heeling, (Julie Flanery, Fenzi Dog Sport Academy)

Selected Webinars

• Biomechanics of Agility, (Camille Nguyen CPCFT), 2024
• I Spy, Early Detection of Injuries, (Dr. Chris Zink), 2024
• Finger Follow, Stay Connected. (Janice Gunn), 2024
• Gait Assessment for Canine Hydrotherapy Patients, (Amy Kings BSc(hons), PG Dip Veterinary Physiotherapy, mACPAT, mHCP) 2024
• Exploring the Role of Gait Analysis as Part of our Assessment and it’s Importance in Directing our Clinical Practice, (Online Pet Health), 2024
• Fitness for Explosive Speed. (Petra Ford) 2023
• Shoulder Injuries in Dogs – Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. (Chris Zink, DVM) 2023
• Retriever Field Testing. (Jennifer Henion) 2023
• Train This Now! The Short List for your New Puppy. (Julie Daniels) 2022
• Picking a Puppy. Four Steps to Evaluate Puppy Structure. (Chris Zink, DVM) 2022

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

• IEBWA – International Equine and Canine Body Workers Association
• Forbidden Plateau Obedience and Tracking Club
• Upper Island Retriever Club
• Canadian Kennel Club
• Golden Retriever Club of BC