Paul Fruitman
Bio
Originally a Toronto native, I have had the opportunity to live in various regions of the country, from the Maritimes to the Prairies and now in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve built a long-term career working in professional sports which allowed me the chance to experience much of
our country.
After a few decades building my career and working at the executive and director level, I found myself wanting a change—something that aligned more closely with my personal passions.
I’ve always had a deep love for dogs, which led me to start Paul’s Paws, a project dedicated to helping owners better understand their dogs and environments.
My professional bio can be found here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/pa
My current canine business – paulspaws.ca
What do you believe you can bring to the board and the organization?
I have years of experience working with membership-based organizations, helping them grow through strong partnerships, smart strategies, and engagement. I know how important it is to create real value for members and build systems that support an organization’s growth in a sustainable and meaningful way.
As CAPDT continues to expand its reach and strengthen its role for dog handling and owner knowledge, I believe my experience in building
structured processes, enhancing engagement, and fostering beneficial partnerships that help support stability will be valuable.
Beyond my professional background, I have a strong personal passion for responsible dog ownership and ethical handling practices. I’m eager to contribute a fresh perspective, collaborate with other board members, and help ensure CAPDT remains a trusted and effective resource for professional trainers, walkers, and owners across Canada.
Why would you like to serve on the CAPDT Board?
The dog training industry, as it stands, does seem to be a bit of a dogs’ breakfast (pun intended) with no clear governance, varying
standards and methodologies, and lack of consistency in professional expectations. As someone building a business in this space, I want to be part of the solution by helping drive a more structured and professional standard that benefits both trainers, handlers, and dog owners alike.
Seeing a group like CAPDT working toward a more professionalized approach is what drew me to this opportunity. The industry needs some clarity, and CAPDT is in a great position to help shape that. I want to contribute by helping the board and the members of CAPDT as well for all those looking to have accountability in the industry.
I believe my perspective as someone building a business in this industry along with professional responsibilities gives me valuable insight into
the challenges organizations face. I understand the need for clear standards, professional support, and a strong industry framework, and I want to contribute to CAPDT’s efforts in creating a more structured and effective system that benefits dog handlers, trainers, boarders, and dog owners.