Emily Garland -Regina Humane Society Education and Training Coordinator
Emily is a Dog Trainer / Behaviour Specialist with over 15 years of professional experience in Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
In Victoria, Emily started her career at a dog daycare, spending four years surrounded by canines, and fostering almost a hundred dogs in her home. When she moved back to Saskatchewan in 2014, she took a part-time job at the RHS, but quickly transitioned to full-time, spending time as the Donor Coordinator as she built the Regina Humane Society’s Behaviour Team in 2015. Since it’s inception, the program has decreased behavioural-based euthanasia by 40%, but due to the growing demands of the Training Program, since 2020 Emily has been training full-time while providing support to the shelter for behaviour cases.
Emily has designed each of the Regina Humane Society classes, developing curriculum for everything from Foundations to Behaviour Modifcation of Leash Reactivity to various sport classes including agility, nose work and tricks. While she teaches classes each semester, her specialty lies in Behaviour Modification.
In her personal life Emily enjoys hiking, writing and playing dog sports (flyball, agility, disc, nosework and more) with her many dogs, including border collies, Jack Russell Terrier Mixes, Cattle Dog Mixes, a working-line Labrador.
Karlie Butler -CPDT-KA
An English as a Second Language instructor by trade and a long-term volunteer dog-walker for the RHS, Karlie has been an instructor with the RHS since July 2019, after apprenticing under Emily Garland. Well-acquainted with powerful and unruly shelter dogs, his focus in on teaching outdoor behaviour-focused classes including Wonderful Walkers, Focus and Control and Leash Reactivity. His goal, just like in his day job, is to get both of you speaking the same language!
At home, Karlie enjoys the company of his Sky, a border collie/ rough collie cross adopted from the RHS.
Erika Linnen
With over 26 years of professional dog training experience, Erika joined the RHS training team early 2025, and is passionate about helping dogs and their people build confidence, connection, and joy. She shares her home with six Chihuahuas and a Miniature Cattle Dog mix who keep her busy in agility, rally, scent work, obedience, and tricks. Throughout her career, Erika has specialized in behavior work, with a focus on helping dogs and their people navigate challenges like reactivity and aggression. Beyond group and individual training, Erika has spent many years training service dogs and therapy dogs, helping to create life-changing partnerships that support both independence and emotional well-being.
Erika continues to expand her knowledge by attending seminars and workshops with dozens of brilliant trainers, blending a variety of perspectives into her positive and adaptable style.