K9 ACADEMY

BarkFest is proud to welcome K9 Academy Sponsor, Andrew Churley of Optimus Gear, for two practical, safety-focused sessions designed to help dog owners feel more confident, prepared, and ready to act when it matters most. 

From car travel to emergency response, these talks are built around one simple idea: the best time to prepare is before something goes wrong. 

Andrew is a certified canine CPR instructor and works directly with dog owners across Canada and the United States through Optimus Gear, a Winnipeg-based company that designs and manufactures premium dog vehicle safety equipment. His hands-on role in sewing, CNC machining, and manufacturing gives him a deep understanding of not only why safety equipment matters, but how quality gear is built, fitted, and used in the real world. 

Working alongside our P.Eng. co-founder, Gordon, Andrew helps bring thoughtful design and Canadian manufacturing together to create gear built for everyday use and serious safety. 

The first session will focus on general preventative safety for dog owners, including car safety, travel preparation, proper documentation, identification, emergency contacts, and everyday habits that can help keep dogs safer at home, on the road, and out in the world. 

The second session will focus on canine CPR and emergency response, helping owners understand how to stay calm, take action, and support their dog until professional veterinary care is available. 

These sessions are built for everyday dog owners, not experts. The goal is to leave with practical knowledge you can actually use. 

Because safer dogs start with smarter owners.