Tarah Spyve

FOUNDER/OWNER

Hi, my name is Tarah Spyve (nee Hunt).  I live on site, with my husband Brent and our children, Fern (8) and Ash (5).  I have 3 Border Collies, pictured, Blaze (4), Azmin (3) and Ember (7).  We also have a cat, chickens and ducks that can often be seen when you visit our place.

My story with dogs begins when I was 16, when I was finally given permission from my parents  to get a puppy.  I wasn’t allowed to just get any puppy though, my conditions for getting a dog were that I had to research breeds to find one suitable for the family and take it to obedience classes – amazing how my life has now become so involved with dogs!

I researched and visited various breeds to find which would best suit my family over the summer holidays – I started with wanting a border collie, and went back to one – but at least I knew it was the right dog for us.

19 years later Shine (black and white Border Collie) is no longer with us (she reached a grand old age of 16.5 and passed away June 2018).  Her daughter, Asta, a blue and white Border Collie has also since passed over the rainbow bridge 🌈 🐕 🐾 

I attended domestic obedience classes with Shine at my local club, Cambridge Dog Obedience Club.  I enjoyed this so I went back for a few terms and then I saw them holding agility classes – just like on Wonder Dogs on TV I thought!  So of course, I joined the next class intake and have been there ever since!  I was Club Secretary for at least 5 years and then Vice President for 2 years and during this time I also instructed domestic obedience and agility classes of all levels.  I left the club at the end of 2013 as I was moving to Whitianga, and have since been nominated and accepted as a Life Member – both an honour and privilege.  I frequently compete at various agility events around the North Island and am also an agility judge for the New Zealand Kennel Club.

Who would have thought at the time of being allowed a dog that it would shape my life so much – but I am so pleased that it has.  I love dogs and I love training them, I also love teaching people with their dogs and seeing the improvement in the dogs behaviour and also the relationship between the dog and it’s owner.  I have studied Principals Of Canine Behaviour through Massey University and read books, watched DVDs, attended seminars, and completed online courses to improve my knowledge of dog behaviour and training – as well as learning from friends and life experiences.  I am constantly trying to learn more and improve my knowledge so I can continue to train my own dogs and help other people train theirs using positive reinforcement.

Katrina Mair

DOGGY DAYCARE SUPERSTAR

Hi there my name is Katrina Mair.  I have lived here in Whitianga for the past 20 years, and have a 10 year old son.

Previously I have done farm work and cattle mustering, I absolutley love the freedom of the farm and the open air gives you time to reflect on you passion and dreams.  This led me onto horse trekking and breaking in horses, I had the time of my life in doing this but unfortunately my hips took a flogging…

This is where I ended up in Whitianga and moved across with my Family.

I had the urge to work with animals and always wanted to do so to futher my career.  In a small town such as Whitianga I had a hard time finding something to fulfil my dreams, so I sat my managers licence and completed 13years of hospitality..who knew haha. However it was such a wonderfull way to meet the community, my new home, I have meet so many people and have an excellent reputation in this town.

In 2018 I was told about a job opportunity at Shine Canine, I most definitely could not pass up this offer as the opportunity to work amongst animals again made my heart race with excitement..so here I am extraodinarliy lucky to have grabbed up this opportunity to work with Tarah and the dogs and give her all I can offer in helping her fulfil her dreams aswell.

Look forward to meeting all of you in the near future  

Aimee Burton

DOGGY DAYCARE AND ADMIN/SHOP

Hi! My name is Aimee Burton. I moved to Whitianga as a Year 3 and attended Mercury Bay Area School. I am now 19 and working the absolute dream job at Shine Canine.

At the age of 13, I started working but never found a job that I looked forward to going to. I’ve always wanted a job that I look forward to going to and that doesn’t feel like a chore but that’s all it ever was until I saw a job being advertised for Shine Canine. At the time, I was studying to become a Dive Instructor so the weekend position was perfect for me. I did this for about 7 months and just as I was coming to the end of studying, one of the full-time workers ventured off into a new career path opening up the spot for me. The thought of working with dogs every day was so exciting and I snatched it up straight away! My new role was in the daycare but also the online shop. I was super keen for this opportunity to learn new skills. I never imagined myself working inside doing admin but I love the balance I have between the 2.

We got our first family dog when I was 7 and since then can not imagine my life without a 4 legged friend running around. So what better than being surrounded by 30+ every day!! A year ago I adopted my rescue pup ‘Kai’ who attends work with me each day and we have also recently developed a new passion for agility. 

I have always had a strong passion for helping and caring for animals. My goal is to travel around the world, working at shelters and rescue centres to hopefully make a real difference in those animals’ lives. 

I’m the kind of person that goes to a friend’s house but ends up outside playing with the dog instead. I love dogs no matter the shape or size. Each dog has a completely different personality and getting to know them and building relationships with each and every one that comes through the daycare/kennels is such a rewarding feeling.

I look forward to meeting your beautiful pups 🙂

Larissa

WEEKEND KENNEL ATTENDANT

Kia ora!

My name is Larissa.
Originally Dutch, now living in Whenuakite with my husband Brent and our dog, Ngahuru.
And I’m so excited to take the best care of your pooch while they are staying with us here at Shine Canine!

I love being outdoors and spending time with our four legged furry friends. Big or small, young or senior, pretty or pretty rugged, I simply adore them all!
Their happy vibrant and compassionate attitude and their ability to live in the moment truly inspires me.

Personally I’ve had dogs for about the last 20 years. To up my knowledge and professional skills, and to be even more capable to provide the best possible care, I’ve recently successfully completed the Advanced Canine Training and Behavior course at the WA Academy in the UK.

Then a position here at Shine Canine came up and I knew this was it, the opportunity to turn my passion into my profession!
And here I am today, so humbled to be accepted as a part of this team and I feel incredibly fortunate to have found and been given this opportunity, and even so close to home.
Being able to work with mens best friend and alongside Tarah, Katrina and Aimee, who between the three of them have decades of experience, is such a privilege and beyond exciting.
Super keen and motivated is an understatement, and I can’t wait to contribute to Shine Canine.
Teamwork makes dreamwork, let’s go!