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 is an active, energetic member of the Canine Trade Group team. Hiking with her husband and three dogs keeps her busy outside of work, and helping dog owners across the country find professional, experienced trainers keeps her busy as CTG’s Operations Manager. Dogs have always been an important part of Cristin’s life, and few can understand the struggle from every point of view—the owner, the dog, and the trainer, better than she.

Cristin trained dogs in agility for over ten years, earning several titles and championships, but when she began experiencing behavior problems with her dog, Sike!, she did her research and learned a thing or two about training for behavior problems as well as competition. Now, Cristin has made it a personal and professional goal to show people that even the toughest training goals can be reached. All it takes is commitment and the know-how of a Canine Trade Group certified dog trainer!

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.