About Us
Summit is a highly collaborative & supportive team, working together to ensure our clients get the very best.
Our Mission
Summit Service Dogs was born with the intention of helping children & adults reach for the top of their mountain. To achieve greatness & to “reach the peak” as summit is defined. The climb may not be easy & there may be challenges that lie ahead, but with a Summit Service dog as a partner by their side greatness is attainable!
Our Values
Our vison right from the start was to have our program focus on QUALITY. We are a small program, which enables us to concentrate on the little details. Doing so allows us to do what is right for our clients & also for our dogs. Summit dogs are placed where above all else they will be cherished & valued as partners.
Getting to know Summit Service Dogs
Nathalie Gillespie, SDC, CPDT-KA
– Owner of Summit –
Executive Director of Breeding, Advanced Training & Fully Trained Program
Nathalie grew up in the company of dogs & horses & they have remained a huge part of her life. Nathalie has been involved with dogs from a professional standpoint since her early twenties & along with her husband & kids has been raising, training & showing Labradors for 20 years. The relationship, the partnership & the love for an animal has been long ingrained in her blood. Nathalie has worked as a Service Dog Trainer with an accredited school for 5 years & has bred many dogs that have become government approved service dogs. Nathalie was previously an instructor at the Medicine Hat College in the Service Dog & Canine Studies Management program, is a Certified Service Dog Coach (SDC) & CPDT-KA certified.
Stacey Wagner, RN, CPDT-KA
– Owner of Summit –
Executive Director of Operations, Owner Trained Program, Volunteer Program, Therapy & Facility Dog Program, & Government Assessments
Growing up, Stacey has always had a love for animals & dogs in particular. She has welcomed numerous dogs of various breeds into their home through the years. Stacey is a skilled professional as a Registered Nurse with nearly 15 years of nursing experience. She has a thorough understanding of medical conditions & the benefit, value & impact that a service dog can have on each person. Stacey has exposed dogs to medical environments through her workplace & by volunteering. Stacey’s nursing background & love for dogs has also led her to become a certified Canine First Aid Instructor & most recently CPDT-KA certified. Stacey, along with her family have happily welcomed & raised multiple service dogs in their home.
Members of our Team
Peyton Sanders, CPDT-KA
Medicine Hat Trainer
Peyton is a Summit Service Dog Trainer, who is based in Medicine Hat. Peyton’s journey in the canine industry began in 2017 as a volunteer at the Cochrane Humane Society where she fostered & cared for dogs awaiting adoption. This invaluable experience established her love & commitment to animal welfare & inspired her to pursue a professional career working with dogs. Peyton gained additional experience working at a Calgary dog daycare & boarding facility where she gained confidence & experience in dog handling skills. This experience provided her with a deep understanding of canine behavior & the ability to adapt her approach to individual dogs needs. In 2024, Peyton graduated from the Medicine Hat Service Dog & Canine Studies Management program & also obtained her CPDT-KA certification. Peyton’s comprehensive education & experience makes her a skilled & compassionate trainer dedicated to improving the lives of dogs & their owners.
Hailey Paul, CPDT-KA
Medicine Hat Trainer
Hailey is another one of our trainers, who is based in Medicine Hat. She grew up on a farm surrounded by animals & has had dogs her entire life. Hailey’s journey into the service dog industry began in 2019 when her family owner-trained a service dog for her sister. That life-changing experience sparked her passion for the field & the powerful impact service dogs can have on people’s lives. Since then, Hailey has worked with a service dog organization, gaining hands-on experience with task training, public access skills, & working closely with clients & their dogs. She later worked as a trainer with a business focused on pet & sport dogs, where she deepened her understanding of canine learning & behavior. In 2025, Hailey graduated from the Service Dog & Canine Management Diploma Program at Medicine Hat College, & has obtained her CPDT-KA certification. Hailey is passionate about empowering handlers through partnership of a well-trained service dog & loves seeing how these dogs can bring greater independence & a better quality of life to the people they help.
Lynne Spencer - Edmonton Trainer
Lynne is a Summit Service Dog Trainer, who is based in Edmonton. Lynne is a teacher with 30+ years of experience. Over the past six years, she has welcomed eight full time Service Dogs in Training into her Special Needs classroom. These dogs have been life-changing for her students as they provide unconditional love, support, & acceptance. They bring so many smiles to all the staff & students throughout the school. One grade seven boy said it best, “Having a service dog just gives our school so much soul!” Lynne also has experience working with puppy raisers & owner trainers, helping them achieve their goals in the Edmonton area.
Joanne Loberg, CPDT-KA - Regina Trainer
Joanne is a Summit Service Dog Trainer, who is based out of Regina. She has owned & fostered dogs her whole life & always had a passion for dogs & helping others. After graduating high school, she received a diploma as a Vet Tech & worked for eight years in small animal medicine. Joanne is also an Educational Assistant in an elementary school. Joanne has developed a passion for assisting children with disabilities & finding ways to improve their experiences. In 2022, Joanne moved to Medicine Hat to pursue her lifelong dream of training service dogs by attending the Service Dog & Canine Studies Management program at the Medicine Hat College. This career combines Joanne’s love of dogs, training & helping others to meet their full potential. Joanne has also most recently also obtained her CPDT-KA certification.
Valarie Reimer - Calgary Trainer
Our Junior Trainers
Our families are a huge part of who we are & why we do what we do. Our husbands give us the support & time to spend with the dogs. Our kids we consider to be the “Jr. Trainers” – they are why we are able to offer dogs that are calm, loving & predictable with children. They love to help & expose the pups to all the experiences only kids are capable of. Our dogs grow up sharing their lives with our children from the moment they are born & this prepares the dogs for their future in working with children.
