BRAINERD — The bond between humans and their dog companions is at the center of a new nonprofit in Brainerd.
Canine Connection Brainerd Kennel Club is a dog training initiative offering various classes focused on agility courses, puppy training and other sessions for dogs and their owners.
Executive Director Janet Hennies has always loved dogs and saw a need for a central training location in the Brainerd lakes area.
But there’s more to it than just that.
Tim Speier / Brainerd Dispatch
“Something that’s really important to me is mental health,” Hennies said on Nov. 18 while at the training facility.
On Jan. 22, 2022, Hennies’ 19-year-old son Jack died by suicide.
“And from that day forward, I’ve been teaching mental health,” she said.
Hennies is the adult adviser for REEL North Alliance, a student-led mental health group at Pequot Lakes High School, where Jack graduated.
Dogs were always a focal point of Jack’s life.
“The times that Jack was at his best — at his happiest — that I remember is when he was working with his dog, Bandit,” Hennies said. “What animals can do for humans is amazing.”
While people typically think about how they can help shelter animals, Hennies knows rescuers get so much back in return, too.
“And to me, I think one of the most critical pieces that we need to really focus on today is our mental health,” Hennies said. “I think it’s really important that we prioritize that in our lives.”
Tim Speier / Brainerd Dispatch
After Jack’s death, the Hennies family created the Jack Hennie Memorial Fund to honor his life and support things that mattered to him — mental health awareness, outdoor adventure and the healing bond between people and animals.
Canine Connection was born out of that vision, when Hennies felt there weren’t a lot of options in the area for dog training. So she brought a team of trainers together into one central location that could serve the community. Because she doesn’t foresee making a ton of money through the business, she decided to establish it as a nonprofit.
Two puppies graduated on Nov. 18 from the inaugural six-week puppy class offered through the organization.
Deb and Matt Eberts attended with their 17-week-old English cocker spaniel puppy Emperor Augustus, also known as Gus.
“He loves it,” Deb Eberts said. “He has no fear of anything, so this is fun for him, and it’s really good for us because it actually forces me to dedicate my time to training him.”
Gus and fellow graduate Memphis — a 17-week-old golden retriever puppy owned by Izzy Lee and Grant Thompson — showed off their leash-walking skills and how well they respond to “sit” and to their names being called.
“For us, a big part of it was just working on getting to focus, to stay,” Deb Eberts said. “He’s very treat-motivated, so it was getting him to learn to sit nice to get his treats instead of jumping up to grab them out of our hands.”
The puppies donned graduation caps and formal ties to celebrate their graduation.
This winter Hennies plans to offer a class that would allow dogs to earn certification as therapy dogs. That certification would let them visit schools, hospitals and other facilities. For more information, visit
canineconnectionbkc.com.
