About Us

 My love for dogs truly began at thirteen, when I begged my parents for just one more dog. They agreed on one condition: if I got a puppy, I had to do something with her. Enter Dakota, my Australian Shepherd — and the dog who changed everything.

Dakota sparked a passion I didn’t even know I had. That first year, we showed in three events at our local fair and took home first place in every one, earning a trip to the Ohio State Fair where we placed 7th out of nearly 50 dogs. From there, I fell headfirst into the world of dog showing, spending weekends at AKC events with my mom while most kids my age were busy with sports (we liked ribbons better!).

That journey led to my first AKC Champion, years of breeding and raising show puppies, and eventually a degree as a Veterinary Technician — all driven by a deep love for animals and purposeful breeding.

Life, of course, has seasons. Marriage, motherhood, and raising two busy kids meant stepping away from the show ring for a while — though never from having a dog by my side. Now, as our children grow and our family enters a new chapter, it feels like the perfect time to return to what started it all — this time alongside my husband and kids.

Canaan Ridge Doodles is the rekindling of a lifelong passion, rooted in experience, family, and love for dogs. We invite you to follow along.

Willow Mae is our first-ever Goldendoodle — and the heart behind Canaan Ridge Doodles. A few years ago, I fell in love with an image of a puppy that looked exactly like her, and somehow, it feels like I subconsciously brought Willow into existence (it still makes me smile).

Having raised Australian Shepherds for years, choosing a new breed felt well outside my comfort zone. I’ve always loved Aussies for their intelligence and deep human connection, so when I began looking beyond the breed, I leaned into what felt familiar: the brilliance of the Poodle paired with the loyalty of the Golden Retriever. With an Aussie and a foster-fail mutt already at home, I was also ready to fall in love with a low-to-non-shedding companion. Willow truly became the best of both worlds — and then some.

She’s a true mama’s girl: goofy, incredibly smart, affectionate, and non-shedding. As the foundation female for Canaan Ridge Doodles, Willow Mae is everything we hoped for and more — the perfect beginning for our program.

Willow’s Embark genetic testing is complete, and her OFA clearances are planned for completion by the end of 2025. To learn more about her health testing and our thoughtfully planned future litters, visit our Puppies tab.