Kandi Wood
Kandi Wood, founder and Director of Training, opened for business in June 1995, primarily as a first aid and CPR training facility serving the business and industrial sector.
Kandi’s background as a PADI SCUBA instructor and Medic First Aid instructor took her all over the world in the early 1990s, teaching diving and first aid. It was upon her return to Canada in 1995 that First Response was born.
In an effort to meet the ever-growing needs of her clients, Kandi has, over the past several years, expanded the company and its services to include a wide variety of training programs.
In her spare time, Kandi enjoys country living, is an avid gardening, nature walks, the great outdoors and her four legged companions, Merlin and Charlie Bird the cats and Molly her 5 yr old black Lab, who accompanies her on all training courses.
Karleen Heisler Lachance
Karleen joined First Response in 1995, bringing with her, her teaching experience as a Medic First Aid Instructor since 1992. Karleen was not only very knowledgeable, she was also very committed to the concept of health and safety training. Karleen’s very upbeat teaching style kept her students alert and participating and ultimately, enthusiastic and willing to render first aid if necessary.
Karleen had previously taught languages, skiing, art and dog obedience. In her spare time, Karleen offered meditation and healing classes and pursued her interest in languages. Karleen enjoyed hiking, traveling, dancing, gardening, drawing and painting.
Karleen was on an undeterminded leave of absence, recovering at her home on Manitoulin Island, from a life threatening illness.
Feb 10 2018:
It is with profound sadness I announce her passing, in Sudbury Hospital on Feb 10th, 2018, after a 13 year battle with non Hodgkins Disease. Originally given mere months to live, when diagnosed at stage 4, she battled thru multiple chemotherapy sessions, radiation, and other life hurdles. Never have I seen someone hang on and battle so fiercely for so long.
Rest in peace Dear Heart. May your light continue to shine on the other side.
Megan Wood
Megan joined the team in November 2007, after retiring from the manufacturing & production industry. Megan accompanied Kandi on all her courses, remaining in her alloted spot for the duration. Megan became a certified therapy dog in March 2009, with Therapautic Paws Of Canada. She worked with people with Altzheimers, Dementia and various other cognitive challenged patients. In her spare time
, Megan loves swimming, playing ball, swimming, hiking, swimming, persuing scent on the trails, oh, and did I mention swimming?
It is with deep sadness that I announce my beloved Megan crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Dec 30, 2013. She was 12 1/2. She brought sunshine with her, wherever she went, touched hundreds of people’s hearts with her gentle, kind nature and put a smile on everyone’s face. Her tail never stopped wagging and she really seemed to ‘smile’ at you.She will be missed terribly and her absence at classes will be deafening. Rest In Peace now my beautiful Megan…..
If you would like to know more about the work that Therapeutic Paws does please check out this web site:
http://www.tpoc.ca/
Molly Wood
Molly was born on Feb 15, 2014 and ‘came home’ at the end of April. No dog can replace Megan, but Molly has her own distinct personality and adds her own flavour and energy to class. Molly became a Therapy Dog in May 2015 and will now continue Megan’s legacy. She accompanies me to all training classes.
Molly loves to play with her toys, fetch the ball and sticks and LOVES to swim! When she’s not doing those things she’s usually on squirrel patrol at our country home.