WHO  IS  IAAD

WE ARE IAAD

At Infinite Abilities Assistance Dogs (IAAD), we’re passionate about helping people live their best lives with the support of specially trained service dogs. Whether it's offering mobility assistance, alerting to medical needs, or providing comfort and security, our dogs are here to make life easier and more independent. We believe in the power of the human-animal bond to create real, lasting change. At IAAD, it's all about matching the right dog to the right person, and making a difference, one paw at a time.

The Operations Team

  • CANINE PROGRAMS DIRECTOR

    Heather is the voice for the puppies and the driver behind our training and delivery of content. Canine governance and training standards are built, refined, maintained and executed through Heathers leadership.

    She provides volunteer support, helping to guide our volunteer towards building the most resilient and reliable assistance dogs

    Heather joined IAAD with over 20 years of experience in training service dogs as well as training other professionals that train assistance dogs, having provided hundreds of individuals their life changing canine partners. She has been an instrumental part of the Founding team, building IAAD into a successful organization with strong roots bound in stability, consistency and program resilience.

    We are extremely honoured to have Heather in the drivers seat.

  • ADVANCED TRAINER

    She is committed to building our assistance pups in training into service dogs; growing life changing partnerships through advanced training, building specific skillsets needed to assist their clients.

    Sammy has raised and trained assistance dogs for over a decade, honing her skillset and completing her formal training with the Karen Pryor Academy; Animal Training and Behaviour, with distinction no less.

    She is always honing her skillset and recently completed canine medical alert training in California with the Dogs 4 Diabetics assistance dog school.

    We are so thankful for her commitment, excitement and motivation and look forward to growing our assistance dog cohort together.

  • DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS and FOUNDING BOARD SECRETARY

    Sam is fully committed to helping drive IAAD towards long term growth and sustainable success through her role on the Board of Directors as well as her role in the operations team, helping to lead the operations through committee leadership, governance and policy implementation and management as well as client support and marketing and communications; driving the organization towards process driven resilience.

    Sam brings years of puppy raising and training experience to the operations team along with her extensive experience as a risk manager in oil and gas, contributing to her skillset in policy implementation, credit and insurance. Her operational motivation is grounded in her passion for leadership and mentoring.

    Sam also brings Board of Director experience to the team, with over 6 years of board experience, sitting for her second term on the Board of Directors for the International Energy Credit Association (IECA).

Brent Foster IAAD Board Treasuter


  • IAAD TREASURER and FOUNDING BOARD TREASURER

    Brent, a CPA specializing in tax within the oil and gas sector, brings his financial expertise to the IAAD Operations team as well as the Board of Directors. With Brents experience he has helped drive the financial responsibility for the organization through budget and financial strategy creation, maintenance, and management.

    Brent and his wife, Charlene, along with their two children, moved to Calgary from BC 14 years ago, eager to connect with the community and embrace Alberta’s agricultural spirit, subsequently acting as the Board Treasurer for the Millarville Racing Track. As a family, they have been actively involved in community events for many years, supporting various initiatives and volunteering their time to make a difference.

    Their commitment to giving back and strengthening their community continues through their work with IAAD.

Laura Watamanuk and IAAD Navi


  • DIRECTOR OF DONOR AND SPONSOR RELATIONS and FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER

    Laura’s work on the operations team; building and maintaining relationships with our donors and sponsors to help grow our outreach and fund our operations is a cornerstone of the organization - funding the care and growth of our little partners in training.

    With a deep passion for service dogs and their life-changing impact, Laura has dedicated her career to non-profit leadership, program development, and advocacy. As the formal founder of Infinite Abilities Assistance Dogs, her mission is to create meaningful partnerships between assistance dogs and the individuals they serve.

    Throughout her career, she’s helped expand innovative service dog programs to support diverse needs—including Service Dogs, Accredited Facility Dogs, and PTSD programs. Her work extends beyond program development; she’s been a strong advocate for disability and assistance dog rights at the provincial, national, and international levels.

    She has also contributed to landmark initiatives by providing consultation and expertise; the BC Guide Dog & Service Dog Act Advisory Committee, the Alberta Service Dog Act Committee, the Canadian General Standards Board and International Accreditation Standards.

    With a track record of helping to scale programs, engage communities, and influence policy change, she is a proud member of the Infinite Abilities Assistance Dogs team, helping to unlocking human potential through the power of service dogs.

The Board of Directors

Jim Bowhay IAAD Board Vice Chair


  • FOUNDING BOARD CHAIR

    A lifelong leader, mentor, and advocate for agriculture, Jim Bowhay brings a wealth of experience to his role as IAAD Board President. Alongside his wife, Nola, he runs a mixed farming operation in Sundre, raising commercial beef, turkeys, and laying hens. His passion for agriculture, education, and community shines through in everything he does.

    With over 55 years in 4-H—as a member, leader, and mentor—Jim has dedicated his life to empowering the next generation. His ability to connect with people, from youth to government officials, has made him a driving force in leadership roles, including:

    Sundre/Bergen Show & Sale Committee – Past Chairman, Current Member
    Sundre & District Agriculture Society – Vice President
    Alberta Beef Producers – Past Director, Current Delegate
    Canadian Cattlemen’s Association – Director
    Feeder Association of Alberta – Provincial Board Vice-Chairman

    Recognized for his contributions, Jim has earned Farm Family of the Year (Sundre Chamber, 2013) and the Farm Family Award (BMO/Calgary Stampede, 2019). He’s also a four-time Canadian Wild Cow Milking Champion and a three-time Calgary Stampede Champion, proving his dedication to the industry runs deep.

    Beyond agriculture, Jim has built strong relationships with government officials to ensure rural voices are heard. He believes in mentorship, sustainability, and equipping young farmers for success. His leadership philosophy is simple:

    "God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason—listen to understand, not just to reply."

    With his deep commitment to community and leadership, Jim is proud to support IAAD’s mission, helping individuals and families thrive with the assistance of service dogs.

Rob DeKlerk and IAAD Nessie


  • FOUNDING BOARD VICE CHAIR

    With 35 years in the food industry, Rob has a deep understanding of market dynamics, operations, and growth strategies. From owning a leading Alberta food brokerage to his current role as Director of Sales for a global food company, he has built a career on business development and leadership.

    Rob’s passion for animal welfare began during his time as a Board Member for the Calgary Humane Society and Edmonton SPCA. His dedication grew stronger through 11 years with an assistance dog organization, including seven years on the board, where he gained firsthand insight into the critical need for service animals in our communities.

    As a family, Rob and Janet, along with their now adult children, have proudly raised 13 Assistance Dogs in Training, further deepening their commitment to this life-changing work.

Brian Doucette and IAAD Nakona


  • FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER

    Brian is a retired engineer after a 33-year career with Suncor Energy in various technical, leadership and strategy roles. Brian brings 15 years of board experience as well, that includes fiscal responsibility, long term strategy, and capital investments, coupled with 8 years of puppy training at another assistance dog organization.

    Brian keeps himself busy helping a family business, skiing, mountain biking, fishing, travel and training Nakona one of the new IAAD puppies.


  • FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER

    Ken is a HVAC Contractor and a long-standing Co-owner of Arrow Kirk Heating (30 years). He has been a volunteer with other assistance dogs organizations for over 17 years having raised, trained and provided care to advanced dogs.

    Ken has spent many volunteer hours providing fundraising and building maintenance for the facilities in operation as well. Ken sits on the Board at #148 Legion in North Burnaby BC and spends his free time skiing, cooking and volunteering in other community endeavors.

We are so thankful for the meaningful contributions from our operations team, Board of Directors and all of our incredible volunteers that have helped build IAAD’s incredible community. It truly ‘takes a village’ to accomplish all that we have with integrity, resilience and heart.

“As a team of seasoned service dog experts, we bring unmatched experience, training, and insights to create a strong foundation for IAAD. Our collective expertise will position IAAD as a leader in the Canadian service dog industry, setting new benchmarks for quality, innovation, and impact.”

Laura Watamanuk

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