About The Family

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About Us

David and Charlena met in 1985 at West End Alternative high school in Toronto, Canada. They fell in love and a year later moved in together. March 2021 celebrates their 34 year living together.

They raised and home-schooled 4 children of their own. 

  • Jennifer, born in 1989, is married to Denis Joduoin, and has a beautiful daughter, Annabelle.
  • Benjamin, born in 1991, is engaged to his long-term girlfriend with Michelle Cyr. They will be getting married in August 2021. He is a social service worker for children with developmental delays.
  • Kyle, born is 1992, has always been our most active child. He is a professional scuba-diver and is currently finishing his Yachtmaster license to become a ship's Captain.
  • Rebecca, born in 1995, is a university student working on her doctorate to become a psychologist.

Over the years they had numerous other children living with them and raised them all in an enviroment of love, tolerance, and support.

In 2001, they moved from Toronto to a Northern Ontario farm. They embraced Canadian winters by dog sledding and offering dog sled tours to others. The family kennel consisted of up to 40 Siberian Husky dogs, all of whom were rescued. They also lived a farm life, having up to 200 farm animals at their homestead. All of the farm animals were raised in their natural environments and not caged or penned.

Over the years, they have been hosting children of all ages and from different cultural backgrounds. They have hosted 4+ children at a time and can accommodate for the different learning styles and strategies that parents look for in a well rounded educational program.

In 2015 having 4 adult children and an empty nest, they decided to embark on a lifelong goal of travelling. They traveled the Caribbean by sailboat with with Kyle and Rebecca who decided to join the adventure, and Cedar, their Standard Poodle.

Since then they have travelled to a dozen countries on three continents, and lived in a half dozen countries.

Jennifer

Jenn dog-sledding with a client
Mr's & Mrs's Crawford & Jodouin
Jenn dog-sledding
Out for a day canoeing
Jenn with some M.U.S.H.E.R.S. clients
Jenn out for a bike ride with Annabelle
Jenn with some M.U.S.H.E.R.S. clients
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Jenn dog-sledding with Dr. Barry Shapiro
Making new friends, Dominican Republic
Jenn with some M.U.S.H.E.R.S. clients
Jenn riding her horse, Emmy
Jenn dog-sledding with Rebecca and some students
Jenn at Algar waterfalls, Spain
Jenn leading a dog-sledder
Jenn leading a group of dog-sledders
Mr & Mrs Jodouin
Jenn leading a group of dog-sledders
Jenn & Annabelle enjoying the Bahamas weather
Jenn leading a group of dog-sledders
Jenn marrying Denis
Jenn dog-sledding with Rebecca
Jenn riding her horse, Emmy
Dog-sledding on a snowy day
Jenn and baby Annabelle
Jenn with M.U.S.H.E.R.S. clients from Renaissance Academy
Zip lining through the Dominican jungle
Jenn leading a group of dog-sledders
Jenn with some M.U.S.H.E.R.S. clients, feeding 2 Black-belly sheep
Jenn dog-sledding with Rebecca
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At the age of 16, Jennifer began her post-secondary studies at Laurentian University, becoming their youngest student ever at that time. After completing her 4 year Bachelor of Psychology degree in only three years, she turned her attention to her dog-sled hobby.

Jennifer became the youngest ever recipient of a $50,000 start-up loan from FedNor (A Canadian government loan program). This allowed her to open up M.U.S.H.E.R.S. Dog-Sled Tours (Making Unique Siberian Husky Experiences Running Sleds). The 5 year goals of 80% occupancy were achieved in year two. By year three her occupancy rate had exceeded 100% and she had a one year wait list for tours. This wait list continued until she sold the business.

M.U.S.H.E.R.S. Dog-Sled Tours was ranked in the top ten things to do in the Sudbury region 5 years straight by Sudbury Tourism, with the last 3 years being the number one winter activity. Satisfaction surveys were over 99% positive, with only having 2 complaints in 5 years.

The heavy physical demands of dog-sledding had the unfortunate side-effects of triggering complications from her horse accident years earlier. With a heavy heart, Jennifer sold the business in 2014.

In 2013, Jennifer spent her summer working road construction, where she met her now husband, Denis.

After leaving MUSHERS in 2014, Jennifer worked in a private school where she quickly rose to become the principal, a title which she held until leaving her position to have her daughter late 2016.

In September 2016, Jennifer and Denis celebrated the birth of their beautiful daughter, Annabelle.

After many years of improving her lifestyle to be more health-focused, Jennifer decided it was time to make it official and be able to help others. While staying at home and raising her infant daughter, she studied different aspects of nutrition under the School of Natural Health Sciences and earned herself seven diplomas in health and nutrition. Her new business, Healthy Living With Jenn, helps people with nutrition and lifestyle choices to obtain better health, and a happier life.

Credentials

Degree - Bachelor of Arts Psychology, Laurentian University

B.A.Psychology Degree

Diploma - Advanced Nutrition, The School of Natural Health Sciences

Advanced Nutrition Diploma

Diploma - Child & Adolescent Nutrition, The School of Natural Health Sciences

Child & Adolescent Nutrition Diploma

Diploma - Ethical & Sustainable Eating, The School of Natural Health Sciences

Ethical & Sustainable Eating Diploma

Diploma - Exercise for Health & Wellness, The School of Natural Health Sciences

Exercise for Health & Wellness Diploma

Diploma - Holistic Nutrition, The School of Natural Health Sciences

Holistic Nutrition Diploma

Diploma - Nutrition for Age 50 Plus, The School of Natural Health Sciences

Nutrition for Age 50 Plus Diploma

Diploma - Vegetarian & Vegan Nutrition, The School of Natural Health Sciences

Vegetarian & Vegan Nutrition Diploma

 


In The News

2006-06-15 Bear Article, Sudbury Star

Bear Article, Sudbury Star

2010-05-08 M.U.S.H.E.R.S. on CBC Radio

Marcus Schwabe hosts a morning show CBC Radio and had a section each week on young entrepeneurs. Jennifer's season had ended so they delayed her interview until the following winter. At that time, he had cancelled his young entrepeneur section. However he was so impressed with Jennifer that he interviewed her for a special on his morning show.

2010-06-09 Students to learn about sled dogs
2010-06-16 Sudbury News - Husky sled dogs up close and personal

Sudbury - Students from Chelmsford Public School got an up close look at Siberian Husky sled dogs when Jennifer Crawford, owner of M.U.S.H.E.R.S., brought Kaila and Greenie - two members of her sled dog team.

2010-11-01 A Dogs' Life, Sudbury Living Magazine
2011-02-21 Go to northern Ontario, Canada to experience the world of ice and snow (translated from Chinese)

Go to northern Ontario, Canada to experience the world of ice and snow

The original article can be seen (in Chinese) here: http://www.chinanews.com/hr/2011/02-21/2857403.shtml

2011-02-23 Get your tail on a trail!
2011-03-13 M.U.S.H.E.R.S. on Wow TV

Here is a video produced by WowTV, an Chinese TV network in Toronto. In it they interview Jennifer about MUSHERS. The quality of the video is not great, as the person who recorded it and posted in to Youtube did not do a great job. The hosts spoke in Chinese, and interpreted Jennifer's dialogue.

2019-03 Meet The Jodouins - Adopting Healthy Change in Springwater, Springwater Neighbours

Jodouins - Adopting Healthy Change in Springwater, Springwater Neighbours
Jodouins - Adopting Healthy Change in Springwater, Springwater Neighbours
Jodouins - Adopting Healthy Change in Springwater, Springwater Neighbours
Jodouins - Adopting Healthy Change in Springwater, Springwater Neighbours
Jodouins - Adopting Healthy Change in Springwater, Springwater Neighbours

 

Rebecca

Credentials

Primary & Secondary Care CPR/First Aid, Emergency First Response

Primary & Secondary Care CPR/First Aid

Open Water Diver, Professional Association of Diving Instructors

Open Water Diver

Kyle

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Energetic sailor/mariner

  • Meticulous, often catching things others wouldn't.
  • Able to read and understand temperature and pressure gauges, record data, analyze information, and respond appropriately.
  • Strong working memory and processing speed.
  • Problem solver with dependable critical thinking skills.
  • Particularly useful for troubleshooting and repairing equipment malfunctions.
  • Calm demeanor enables me to make good decisions in high-pressure situations.
  • Experienced operator of ship equipment.
  • Positive role model.
  • Diligent worker performing job tasks thoroughly and efficiently.
  • Motivated to follow orders.
  • Ensure the objectives of the journey are met.
  • Encourage crew members to perform their best work.
  • Exceed standards of cleanliness and safety.

Credentials

Personal Trainer

Diploma - Health & Wellness Coach

Diploma Health Wellness Coach

Diploma - Personal Training

Diploma Personal Training

Diploma Personal Training

Diploma - Pilates

Diploma Pilates

Diploma Pilates

Diploma - Mindfulness

Diploma Mindfulness

Diploma Mindfulness


Other

Canada-Ontario Driver's Licence Record Check

Driver Record

Canada Criminal Record Check

Criminal Record


First Aid/Medical

Primary & Secondary Care CPR/First Aid, Emergency First Response

Primary & Secondary Care CPR/First Aid

First Aid Certified, Royal Yachting Association

RYA First Aid


Scuba

Open Water Diver, Professional Association of Diving Instructors

Open Water Diver

Advanced Open Water Diver, Professional Association of Diving Instructors

Advanced Open Water Diver

Enriched Air Diver, Professional Association of Diving Instructors

Enriched Air Diver

Rescue Diver, Professional Association of Diving Instructors

Rescue Diver


Maritime/Yachting

Pleasure Craft Operator Card, Government of Canada

Pleasure Craft Operator Card

Professional Practices and Responsibilities, Royal Yachting Association

Professional Practices and Responsibilities

GMDSS Short Range Radio Certified, Royal Yachting Association

RYA Short Range Communication

Commercial Power Boat Level 2, Royal Yachting Association

PBL2

STCW - Standards of Training & Certification of Watchkeeping, Bluewater

STCW

 


References

Letter of Reference, John King

Letter of Reference
Letter of Reference

Letter of Reference, Tom Johnson

Letter of Reference


In The News

Asthma News Article, Your Hospital Magazine, Toronto East General Hospital

Your Hospital
Your Hospital

Subcategories

Asperger syndrome (AS), also known as Asperger's, is a developmental disorder in the Autism spectrum that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests.

People with Asperger syndrome see, hear and feel the world differently to other people. If you have Asperger syndrome, you have it for life – it is not an illness or disease and cannot be ‘cured’. Often people feel that Asperger syndrome is a fundamental aspect of their identity.

Autism is a spectrum condition. All autistic people share certain difficulties, but being autistic will affect them in different ways. Some people with Asperger syndrome also have mental health issues or other conditions, meaning people need different levels and types of support.

People with Asperger syndrome are of average or above average intelligence. They don't have the learning disabilities that many autistic people have, but they may have specific learning difficulties. They have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.

We have three diagnosed cases of Asperger's in the family, and a forth case that, while not officially diagnosed, is believed to exist.

Raising children with Apserger's is tough, and growing up with Apserger's is even tougher.