From K-12, he attended Douglas County School District in Colorado, including Buffalo Ridge Elementary and Rocky Heights Middle School. He graduated from Rock Canyon High School where he attained a 4.0 while completing 12 credits of Advanced Placement Coursework. Brian was an accomplished musician performing with the Colorado Honor Band for 8+ years, receiving the Lewis Armstrong Jazz Award from Rock Canyon High School, and helping his high school bands receive high awards in symphonic, jazz and marching band competitions. He performed in and received high rewards in the Colorado Solo and Ensemble Contest. He started wrestling at the club level at age 6 and won many matches throughout his K-12 years. He participated in the Rafael Mendez Brass Camp and the University of Denver Lamont School of Music Summer Camp.
He was accepted into multiple universities but decided on the University of Denver where he was rewarded academic and music scholarships. He graduated from The University of Denver with dual undergraduate degrees in Low Brass Classical Music Performance (Trombone & Euphonium) and Biology. During his undergrad education he participated in a study abroad program at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia where he conducted research on the Great Barrier Reef as part of his education. Upon graduating from DU, he donated 9 months of his time to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where he worked with and helped many marine animals including those featured in the Warner Bros. Pictures and Alcon Entertainment Dolphin Tales movies.
At the time of his passing, he was on track to graduate in May 2020 from Colorado State University with a Professional Science Master’s in Zoo, Aquarium and Animal Shelter Management. He had been accepted into the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine and would have started at LSU in the fall.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic there will be not be a Celebration of Life gathering at this time. Please share some of your experiences with Brian through the “Add a Memory” option.
The Denver Animal Shelter Veterinary Clinic has been selected as Brian's Memorial benefactor. Brian donated 100s of hours to the Denver Animal Shelter as part of his Professional Science Master’s in Zoo, Aquarium and Animal Shelter Management program at CSU. Brian was passionate about helping animals and the core mission of the Denver Animal Shelter is just that.
Donations can be made via the shelter's on-site donations center bit.ly/DAPDonations or by mailing a check to the following address. Please write Brian Canitz in the memo field of the check.
Denver Animal Shelter
1241 W. Bayaud Ave.
Denver, CO 80223
DONATIONS
Denver Animal Shelter Veterinary Clinic 1241 W. Bayaud Ave., Denver, Colorado 80223
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