STEPHANIE MICHENAUD

In 2016, I discovered mantrailing thanks to Paulina Druri. Since then, I’ve been passionate about this activity and the canine olfaction, regularly participating in and organizing seminars with European GAK9 instructors. I practice mantrailing with my Karelian Bear Dog, Norek. I have practiced with my two other dogs (Ishkane, my labradoodle and Youmi, my Karelian Bear Dog). In 2024, I completed the sportrailing trainer certification with Paulina Druri (France).

My career path in the field of dogs began in 2004. Since then, I have worked:

• as a behaviorist and dogs trainer in my own business,
• as the manager of breeding female dogs and a technician at the National Breeding Center for Guide Dog Schools (CESEACAH – Lezoux, France),
• as a trainer of assistance dogs  (Handi’Chiens – Alençon, France)
• as a teacher in private schools training family dog trainers, behaviorists, and practitioners in canine-assisted interventions.

Today, I work in my own business, offering sportrailing sessions for family dogs. Additionally, I conduct scientific research (Paris Nanterre University and Picardie Jules Verne University) in applied canine ethology and social psychology. I am completing my PhD on the topic of interactions within military and Gendarmerie canine teams during olfactory searches. Previously, I worked from a psychosocial perspective on the compensation of visual impairment by guide dogs: its impact on the quality of life of individuals and the consideration of the dogs’ well-being.

Practicing sportrailing with my dogs, using the approach developed by Jeff Schettler and Georgia K9, helps me reconnect with one of the origins of the bond between humans and dogs: their skills in following a scent and hunting. Working and living with dogs are aspects that contributed to their domestication. In both my activities with dogs and my scientific research, human-dog teamwork is at the heart of my interest. I focus on interactions, communication and the building of trust within the team, the progress of both members of the dyad, and the development of the dog’s autonomy.

The GAK9 philosophy aligns with my approach, focusing on dogs’ natural abilities and double-blind training methods, which I apply with both my dogs and family dogs.

Geographical area: Vendée (85), région Pays de Loire

Contact: Stéphanie Michenaud – [email protected]

Website: Accueil – Mantrailing Vendée (www.mantrailing-vendee.fr)