John Van Olden – President/CEO – Canine Trade Group

 John is a recognized and respected member of the canine professional community, and the president of Canine Trade Group.  He started the company in 2010 to provide professional development, peer support, administrative, marketing and back office support for an exclusive network of invited professional dog trainers, who are all highly successful, independent, business owners. 

His more than 30 years of experience began in the military and continued to grow as he started the very first dog training franchise in the country, K-9 Advantage, becoming one of the earliest members of the International Association of Canine Professionals, eventually serving on their Board of Directors. 

Cristin Ellis – Operations Manager

Cristin works with John to connect dog owners with trainers in their area. Dog training has always been a passion for Cristin, who trained dogs in agility competitions for close to ten years before joining Canine Trade Group and learning more about the behavioral side of training.

Since the CTG techniques were able to help her train her own three precious pooches, she is a true believer in the training, the process, and the company itself. Cristin works hard in the CTG office, and if you’re looking for a trainer, you may very well end up speaking with Cristin!

She lives with her husband and three Border Collies, Sike, Elsa and Phineas.

Nicole Zulkowski – Veterinary Relationship Manager

Ever since she was a child, Nicole knew that she wanted dogs to be involved in her life and her career. She attended Ursinus College and graduated with a BS in Biology, aiming to work in the animal field. All throughout high school and college, Nicole worked various jobs involving animals. Later after graduating, she worked as a veterinary technician and as a handler at a dog daycare. It was here that her interest in dog behavior came to full fruition, and began seeking opportunities in the dog training industry.

Nicole found Canine Trade Group and joined their office staff, talking to owners about their dog problems and guiding them to the right training program that would address all their needs and training goals. She has studied the dog training course that Canine Trade Group’s trainers take, which has built her understanding and experience in complex canine behaviors.

She lives happily with her two dogs: her Pitbull mix named Willow and a Boston Terrier/Pug mix named Brooklyn.

Tricia Magaw–Customer Service Specialist

Throughout her life, Tricia has been surrounded by animals. Whether it be her family’s three cats, their two rescue dogs, rabbits, or fish there was always an animal present in their house.. In college Tricia interned at Hopewell Valley Watershed where she worked with a variety of animals and insects including snakes, frogs, and even Madagascar cockroaches. 

Tricia came to Canine Trade Group with a wealth of experience in customer relations. Since joining the staff at Canine Trade Group, Tricia has taken the time to learn the training manual in order to correctly point dog owners in the right direction for their beloved pets. Tricia’s love for animals and dedication to her work has enabled her to grow her understanding of the dogs that we train and help them achieve the goals their owners seek.

 Tricia currently lives with her two cats, Merry and Pippin, but spends her Saturday mornings walking dogs from a local rescue. She plans to adopt when she finds the right forever pet.

Dr. Karen Usselman V.M.D. – On Staff Veterinarian Consultant

Dr. Usselman is originally from western New York, attended Cornell University and then the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia.  She graduated in 1996 and joined Brenford Animal Hospital in May 1996.  She is currently a partner with the practice. 

Dr. Usselman enjoys working with dogs and cats.  She is particularly interested in internal medicine, ultrasonography, behavior and dentistry.  She serves as the treasurer of the Delaware Veterinary Medical Association and has taught in the Delaware Technical College Vet Tech program.  Dr. Usselman is married to Dr. Jeff Booth and has two children, three dogs and a cat to keep her busy at home.