Owners and Staff



Robert Vennik - Owner - Born in the Netherlands in 1960. Studied agricultural science on university level, specialized in animal care. Studied an extra year to become a pet boarding technician / specialist, became fully certified in 1980. After that he became certified as dog obedience trainer and dog behaviour specialist.

Just before moving from the Netherlands, to Innisfail, Alberta, Canada, he became certified by the American Boarding Kennels Association as Pet Care Technician Level I and II. In October 2005 Robert became Certified Kennel Operator (CKO). This is the highest grade of certification in the PCSA educational program. This way he upgraded his knowledge even more and is well up to date on everything that is going on in the pet boarding industry. He owned a farm in Holland from 1979 to 1987, raised pigs, had chickens and milked goats. The milk he used to make Gouda goat cheese, which (with other products) was sold in the farm store. He has been involved in the pet industry for over 25 years and owned a large pet boarding facility in the Netherlands from 1987 until his move to Canada in 2004. During this period he became a certified groomer and has a lot of experience in grooming Terriers. He served as member of the board of the Dutch Boarding Kennels Association (DIBEVO) from 1999 to 2004.

Heleen Eekers - Owner - Born in the Netherlands in 1958. Did agricultural science studies, biology and home economics studies at the Dutch university and is fully certified as teacher. She taught home economics and biology from 1985 until she moved from the Netherlands to Innisfail, Alberta, Canada in 2004. Her students were between 14 and 19 years old.
Besides her busy job as a teacher she always found time to work first at the farm and later in the boarding kennel she owned together with her husband Robert Vennik. Her great knowledge about animals has always been a great asset to the business.

Robert Vennik and Heleen Eekers are married and have three children, Jorieke, Jasper and Anne.

Tanis just joined our team. If we had known het before, we would have hired her much sooner! She has so many years of experience in professional and show grooming and that really shows of in the
results! Now anyone of our grooming customers can go home with a show dog. Tanis is a master in handling the clippers and the shears. With her patience and kindness to all our furry grooming
friends she is able to make every job a perfect one and get her clients home happy and shining. We strongly recommend Tanis to everybody that owns a dog or cat that is in need of a full SPA
treatment. For all grooming options, please visit the GROOM page on this website.

Shalen Harriott Shalen Harriott - Works as a Pet Care Technician at the Innisfail Boarding Kennels since 2005.

She works the store as well as the kennels and is fully trained. She is very experienced and can answer all your questions about items in our store. If you have special requests for products she will be more than happy to order those in for you!
Shalen is PCSA certified as Advanced Pet Care Technician Level II.

Jacquie is with our company already from the very beginning in 2004. We are very pleased still having her on board. She knows all the ins and outs of our facility and it’s occupants. And she knows YOU!! So ask her any question you might have and she will answer it to your full satisfaction.

Carmela started working at the kennels during the summer holidays of 2010. She has fully proven to be a hard and dedicated worker. She puts a lot of TLC in her work with our guests. The dogs and cats just love her. She is experienced working with all kinds of animals, including horses. With Carmela joining our professional team, we were able to bring an extra asset to the kennels' " all - in" status. Carmela is a certified CHIROPRACTIC & MASSAGE THERAPIST for animals. She works in close relation with us and our groomer. Your pet can be treated at our facility.
Unfortunately our CHIROPRACTIC & MASSAGE webpage is still under construction. Keep watching the NEWS FROM THE INNISFAIL BOARDING KENNELS on our HOME page.