K9PAD Board of Directors

Client Support Director

Jenna Acker is a professional administrative assistant, certified through the Office Administration program at NSCC. She can be found working alongside her two mentors, Jessy and Kimber, working towards her own education and eventual certification as an Accredited Dog Trainer all while volunteering with K9PAD as the Client Support Director. She joined K9PAD officially in late 2019 as a client, being matched with her current Service Dog, Oliver. Throughout her interaction with Kimber and Jessy and her work with Oliver, Jenna found a passion for working with dogs. She quickly joined K9PAD as a volunteer and became a Board Member at the end of 2020. Along with her education, Jenna has experience volunteering in the past with Big Brothers Big Sisters and her local equestrian facility. 

CDBC, IAABC-ADT 

Jessy is one of the K9PAD founding members and has been involved with the program since 2016. Since being medically released from the Royal Canadian Navy, Jessy has dedicated her time and experiences to help develop K9PAD. 

Jessy is a Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant and an Accredited Dog Trainer through the International Association of Applied Behaviour Consultants (IAABC). She is also an evaluator for Avidog Apet Puppy Evaluations. 

As a Service Dog handler with various disabilities, including PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury, Jessy uses her experiences to support clients as they progress through the program. A special interest of hers is conducting Team Training with new clients and getting them ready to graduate. Her first Service Dog was Pirate, one of the original K9PAD Service Dogs. With much sadness, he passed in August 2020. Yoshi has taken his place by Jessy’s side. 

In her spare time, Jessy can be found listening to podcasts that focus on science-based dog training and behaviour. 

CDBC, IAABC-ADT 

Katherine (Kimber) Webber joined K9PAD in 2017 after meeting Jessy and sharing her similar experience of the freedom and independence she gained through her own Service Dog, Ranger. Since then, Kimber has remained a pivotal part of the program. 

Kimber began working with dogs at a young age and began volunteering and fostering with a local rescue in 2014, which she is still involved with. Kimber is a Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant and an Accredited Dog Trainer through the International Association of Applied Behaviour Consultants (IAABC).

Although she enjoys all aspects of Service Dog training, she focuses her efforts on the intake of new puppies and leading the foundations and advanced training portions. In her spare time, Kimber likes to hike with her dogs and read as many dog training and behaviour books as possible. 

Ian Roddis joined K9PAD as a volunteer in late 2020. With an educational background of a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Masters Degree in Mathematics and Statistics, Ian is

a key asset to the program as Treasurer. Along with his role as Treasurer, Ian has an optimistic and can-do personality, which is an incredible advantage to have for the K9PAD Board of Directors. With his past experience volunteering for CNIB and the HI Emergency Department, Ian brings a great deal of dependability, incredible attitude, motivation and a passion to help those in need. He drives the heart and soul of K9PAD and strives to make the organization as successful as possible. 

Member at Large

In 2006 Jenny Tyler moved from the United Kingdom with her family to Nova Scotia to make Canada her new home. In 1994 Jenny graduated with her Diploma in Nursery Nursing (NNEB) and once qualified worked in a local hospital on Maternity, NICU and Pediatrics. After having her daughter in 2000 Jenny moved into daycares and became Director of a daycare in the UK overseeing over 45 full time staff along with part time staff in a 221 place daycare caring for children from 6weeks to 12 years old. 

Once in Canada Jenny worked in Nova Scotia daycares, became a Co-Director and after a few years moved into Early Intervention after her son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Jenny served on the Board of NS Early Intervention for three years maintaining memberships and AGM events. 

In July 2015 Jenny joined Autism Nova Scotia firstly as family support and then became Community Outreach and Events Coordinator, focusing on building community connections and raising funds around the Province. In 2016 Jenny was recognized with a community dedication commendation in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly by the Honourable David Wilson. Jenny has maintained a volunteer role within her community for many years, after joining Special Olympics Jenny worked with SONS to create and start the Active Start Program, she then went on to be part of the Board. In 2019 Jenny was awarded a Woman of Influence award from her local community. 

Abbey Campbell

Emily R.