Now happily retired, "Poppa Jim" Gilchrist trained dogs for over 40 years.  Before leading our team of professional trainers, he was an instructor and member of the elite Royal Air Force Police Display Team (Canine Core) who performed regularly for the Royal Family. He loves his Timmy's Coffee, spending time with family and creating beautiful wood carvings!

Born in Glasgow Scotland, Jim raised Cairn Terriers and showed in conformation before joining the Royal Air Force Police & becoming an instructor at the R.A.F. Police Dog training school at Netheravon Wiltshire England.

He became a member of the elite R.A.F. Police Dog (7 member) Demonstration Team, touring Britain doing demonstrations such as Military Tattoos, Royal Agricultural Show, White City (London, England), Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Edinburgh, Scotland) which included being viewed several times by the Queen & Members of the Royal Family. Jim moved to Miami (Florida) and assisted with the Police Canine Unit.

Upon moving to Canada, Jim lived in Cambridge, Ontario and was an original member of The Centennial Dog Obedience School, which worked in conjunction with Hamilton & District Obedience Club. Jim became President and Trainer. Here he trained and showed his German shepherd to his Canadian Championship in Conformation and Obedience; competing both in Canada and in the United States. 

After 7 years as a dog training instructor at Aurora High School and Georgian College in Barrie, Jim brought his talents and passion for all living creatures to Pet Country Estate in 1994.  While assisting in managing our Kennel & Breeding operations, he was responsible for establishing our Training School, as well as Pet Country Estate’s demonstration team which took part in various community events such as: Innisfil's Summerfest, Barrie's Kempenfest, area dog shows, Santa Claus Parades and of course our Paws for a Cause/Family Days.