Emerging Leader, Valina Pope, shares Summit experience

Anna MacNeil-Allcock

InfoStream Staff Writer 

Eight emerging leaders were awarded scholarships to attend the 9th annual Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in October 2014. Co-founder of Starstruck Labradors, Valina Pope, accepted one of two Rolf C. Hagen Emerging Leader Scholarships. 

InfoStream staff writer Anna MacNeill-Allcock caught up with Valina at her home north of Calgary to discover the qualities that caught the attention of the urban animal industry and ask about her Summit experience.  

InfoStream (IS): How did you come to be involved in the pet industry?

Valina Pope (VP): I had plans for university at a very young age. I wanted to do something in medicine, or genetics, and research involving both. However, after working so hard in school and saving money, I was in a head-on collision on a major highway. One of my many injuries was head trauma, which has resulted in long-term memory issues. To this day, I can not remember the years since the accident, but the years before are crystal clear! I could not attend university due to my injuries. 

I was employed by Colette Francis (Pooch Palace Kennels) as kennel help after the accident. She taught me what it meant to be an ethical breeder, regardless of what you breed. She opened my eyes!

So, when I applied the knowledge I have kept from before the accident to my current life, somehow, I ended up breeding Labrador Retrievers! I chose “labs” because of the potential to create genetically superior pets that can better serve as healthier, longer-lived pets and assistance dogs. We have already seen some of the results of our unique approach to breeding.  

IS: What is driving your passion in the pet industry?

VP: I feel that if we can truly work together, we can build a positive pet experience, as well as eliminating the suffering of animals - both homeless and poorly homed. 

IS: What is the most satisfying part of your job?

VP: Personally, the moment for me, is seeing the positive difference I have made in families across North America.  

IS: What is the most challenging part of your job?

VP: Well, the more people I meet, the more I like my dogs! The most difficult (although rewarding) part of my job is the struggle to educate people. It feels like some people will not, or can not, be taught or want to learn! It can be frustrating. At the same time, when successful, this can be one of the most rewarding experiences! 

IS: Do you have any programs/ initiatives that you are especially passionate about?

VP: We are working to improve the quality of pet we offer, the education we can provide, and the ways in which we deliver these. I hope to use collaboration between different branches/organizations involved in the pet experience to accomplish this.  

IS: What would you like to see happen in your sector over the next few years?

VP: Further collaboration of vested parties to benefit the pets and companion animals in our reach.

IS: What was your experience at the Summit?

VP: My experience was very good. It taught me lessons I can apply both professionally, as well as personally. I couldn’t have hoped for more! 

IS: How might  attending the Summit have helped you in your mission?

VP: Attending the Summit enabled me to meet many new people in the industry and will help me along the path that I hope to tread for many years to come. I will be applying the many lessons I learned at the Summit to all aspects of my career and projects over the coming years.

IS: What kind of an impact do you expect this to have on the Companion Animal Industry?

VP: Ideally, of course, we all hope to begin a wave. Like ripples in a pond, we aspire to change the world around us. Some of our efforts will be, of course, quieted by larger waves. But that can not dissuade us from making a splash when something really matters!

Valina Pope is the owner of Starstruck Labradors and was awarded the Rolf C. Hagen Scholarship for her contribution to Retail and Commercial Services.

Valina has adopted one of the more unique models for breeding and raising dogs on a larger scale. Starstruck Labradors involves more than 30 breeding Labrador Retrievers, each living in a home environment with their families. Given that one of the largest concerns with commercial breeding facilities is the welfare of the adult female dogs, this model is of great interest.

To encourage the highest quality of care, Valina has developed a strong contract and holds her adoptive families accountable. The adoptive families agree to breeding their pet and Valina is responsible for finding homes for the puppies. Only once has she needed to remove one of her dogs from a home that was not living up to her required standards.