Shalimar Blanchard

Shalimar is from Vancouver, BC, Canada, with an extensive background in dance, having trained at the prestigious College of the Royal Academy of Dance in London, England. In 1998 she founded Howe Sound Dance Academy in Squamish, BC. The school quickly grew to 200+ students a year, offering 8 different styles of dance, employing 5 other teachers and maintaining 2 studio locations. She regularly organized and prepared students for international dance exams, national and international competitions, year-end shows as well as smaller community events. Shalimar created and interacted closely with the Parent Board raising funds and ensuring that funds raised were used in the most beneficial way for students and their families to offset costs to them. In 2019, in order to pursue a dream of moving to Mexico, Shalimar passed her business on to one of her long-term teachers.

Having moved to Puerto Vallarta in 2020, she was keen to give back to her new community and wanted to find a way to incorporate the many cats and dogs of Vallarta into the mix. Volunteering at mobile spay and neuter clinics for PEACEAnimals was the perfect opportunity, not only because pets are involved but its mission is one that Shalimar completely believes in. Volunteering has also enabled visiting lesser-known communities, getting to know the people of those communities, and learning the language. Always a quick study, she has been able to apply her knowledge of multi-tasking and organizing with maintaining a main focal point gained from operating her business for over 20 years. Shalimar has always considered pets family. She currently enjoys 1 beautiful doodle, Dudley, 1 Mexican cat rescue, Damita, and 1 incredible husband, Alain.