Dog training group from Medicine Hat seeks to hold classes at Armoury

Posted on September 2, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

Maple Creek News

Paws 4 Resiliency, a non-profit group based in Medicine Hat/Redcliff, wants to use Maple Creek Armoury for weekly dog obedience classes.

Classes will cost $25 for regular attendees, it is proposed, and $35 for those who drop in.

The group would like classes to begin mid to late September and carry on indefinitely.

Marilyn Stork, the Maple Creek representative for the group, attended last Thursday’s Maple Creek Town Council meeting to request use of the Armoury at a significantly reduced rate.

Accompanying her was a service dog she had trained from the age of six months.

Stork said class fees would need to cover the Armoury rental and transport costs for trainers and incidentals such as cleaning supplies.

In an August 21 letter to the Town, Stork said Paws 4 Resiliency trainers were certified through the Government of Alberta and brought a wealth of knowledge, skill, and experience to classes.

“They train dog owners to teach their dogs basic obedience commands such as sit, down, stay, come, how to safely meet another dog. Issues such as pulling while walking on-leash, reactivity to other dogs and people, and barking also are addressed.

“Additionally, participants also learn about dog health, dog behaviour, and good dog owner citizenship through conversation and observation.

“Since our numbers in Maple Creek are small, all dogs train together rather than in small levelled groups as is typical in most Obedience Classes.”

Stork said participants attend until they feel they are satisfied with what their dog has learned; for some, that could be 10 classes while for others it could be on-going,

Classes, she added, are a prerequisite for anyone wishing to train their pet as a therapy dog or service dog.

The Armoury would provide a perfect place for training, said Stork.

“It offers a large open space so that dogs can be grouped but also work individually when needed. In my experience, there never has been any damage to the venue created by the dogs.”

Speaking to Council, Stork said the plan was to hold weekly evening classes, which would run for two to three hours.

So far, she has received a commitment from 13 people to train on a weekly basis. All training levels would be held at the same time.

Councillor Tina Cresswell expressed concern about the possibility of dog nails damaging the wooden floors of the Armoury, and she asked whether there was flexibility about scheduling of classes.

Michelle McKenzie, the mayor, also raised the issue of scheduling flexibility. She wondered how much notice would be required by Paws 4 Resiliency if the Armoury was needed for another event, such as a funeral.

Stork said good grooming, including care of nails, was covered by the training.

She added that scheduling consistency was preferable, since classes depended on the availability of a trainer.

Councillor Holly Gutfreund asked whether the drill hall, near the High Chaparral Arena, had been considered as a possible venue.

Councillor Betty Abbott pointed out, however, that the drill hall got very cold in the winter.

Councillor Len Barkman asked whether young people, such as teenagers, would be able to join the classes.

Stork said anyone was free to bring a dog. There was no discrimination about breeds.

All that was required, she said, was proof of vaccination.

The Paws 4 Resiliency’s request to use the Armoury was also on the Council agenda for the private portion of the meeting.