Meet Canine Trade Group – Hampton Roads Dog Training’s exclusive support team

John Van Olden – President/CEO – Canine Trade Group 

John is a recognized and respected member of the canine professional community, and the president of Canine Trade Group.  He started the company in 2010 to provide professional development, peer support, administrative, marketing and back office support for an exclusive network of invited professional dog trainers, who are all highly successful, independent, business owners. 

His more than 30 years of experience began in the military and continued to grow as he started the very first dog training franchise in the country, K-9 Advantage, becoming one of the earliest members of the International Association of Canine Professionals, eventually serving on their Board of Directors. 

Cristin Ellis – Operations Manager

Cristin has been around dogs her whole life and currently owns three Border Collies, named Sike!, Elsa and Phineas. She’s been training dogs in agility for over ten years, and her knowledge of the canine psyche has earned her several titles, including two AKC Master Agility Championship titles with her Golden Retrievers, Rocky and Hunter.

Since coming to work for CTG as the Operations Manager her knowledge of behavioral training has grown, and she was able to use the CTG in-home training methods to help Sike! overcome his anxiety, fear aggression, and resource guarding. She is a trainer, a client liaison, and a CTG testimonial.

Dr. Karen Usselman V.M.D. – On Staff Veterinarian Consultant

Dr. Usselman is originally from western New York, attended Cornell University and then the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia.  She graduated in 1996 and joined Brenford Animal Hospital in May 1996.  She is currently a partner with the practice.  Dr. Usselman enjoys working with dogs and cats.  She is particularly interested in internal medicine, ultrasonography, behavior and dentistry.  She serves as the treasurer of the Delaware Veterinary Medical Association and has taught in the Delaware Technical College Vet Tech program.  Dr. Usselman is married to Dr. Jeff Booth and has two children, three dogs and a cat to keep her busy at home.