David Regnier, RRTS®, didn’t set out to build a career in home health care. He admits it started almost by accident — a fluke. At just 20 years old, he accepted a job as a shipper/receiver for a small health care company in Sydney, Nova Scotia. “I thought it was just something to do until I figured out my next step,” Regnier said. But the work drew him in. What began as a temporary job evolved into a vocation, and nearly two decades later, Regnier is still in the same field. Now, he is a trusted expert and sales professional with Lawtons Home Healthcare, serving the Cape Breton Island area with dedication and depth of knowledge that only experience can bring.
“I’ve been in sales for 14 years, but I’ve been in this industry since 2006,” Regnier said. “I started at the bottom and worked my way through.” That firsthand knowledge of the field — from logistics to service to client care — has shaped his approach to what he does now as a rehab product specialist. “You understand how all the parts work together. That’s important when you’re dealing with someone’s mobility. And ultimately, quality of life.”
Cape Breton Island is a large, mostly rural, area with about 130,0000 residents. Regnier spends much of his time on the road, serving long-term care facilities and individual clients in their homes. “We don’t have a rehab center here on the island,” Regnier said. “I work with occupational therapists and physical therapists to trial and deliver equipment and make sure each client has what they need.”
That need varies widely. Regnier’s work touches nearly every facet of mobility and accessibility — wheelchairs, power chairs, lifts, home modifications, vehicle adaptations and more. “Everything is the same, but different at the same time,” he said. “Every person is unique. And that’s what keeps me interested. I’m always learning, always adjusting.”
One of the constants in Regnier’s work is the importance of communication. “I always try to manage expectations,” he said. “People often don’t know exactly what equipment will do or what it won’t do. I try to be as clear as I can up front so they’re not disappointed later.”
He has learned to ask the right questions from the start: What do you want this equipment to help you do? What are your goals? Are there any safety concerns? “Sometimes goals conflict. I help the client prioritize, taking into account possible cognitive limitations.”
(Left to Right: 1. David, Lilly, Noah and Annabelle Regnier at the Ontree Fun and Adventure Park in Nova Scotia. 2. David Regnier ready to hit the road for a short bike trip. 3. David and Lynne Regnier at the Fantasy Fable Masquerade charity ball for the local library. 4. Family selfie: (l to r) Noah, David, Lilly, Annabelle, and Lynne Regnier.
That ability to listen deeply and to make clients feel heard is one of Regnier’s strengths. “I’m a man of few words,” he said. “But that works in this field. People may come to me upset, sometimes angry, but I don’t take it personally. I’ve learned to let them talk. I understand that  they are not mad at me; they’re just frustrated with the situation. I listen, and then I offer some solutions.”
Over the years, he has heard hundreds of stories — some heartbreaking, some inspiring. He recalls a patient who was paralyzed after an auto collision. “They were a quadriplegic, and even if their equipment wasn’t working properly, they were always smiling. In spite of this person’s circumstances, they were a positive, resilient person. You remember people like them.”
While Regnier finds his work fulfilling, it is not without frustrations, particularly when it comes to funding. “Most programs will cover basic, medically necessary equipment. But when it comes to devices that improve someone’s quality of life, power assist add-ons for manual wheelchairs, for example, they don’t qualify.” He tries to inform clients of these possibilities when appropriate, even if they’re not covered by insurance, because he believes in promoting independence and community engagement. “It’s tough when you know something could help, but the funding just isn’t there.”
Staying energized in such a demanding role requires a clear mindset. “There are definitely days that feel overwhelming,” Regnier said, “But I try to remind myself it’s just one day. It won’t last forever.” He makes time to recharge, especially with his family. “We love to travel. It’s a four-hour drive to a city from where we live, so we plan trips and camping getaways. My wife and I have three kids — Noah, Annabelle and Lilly — and we’re all big Formula One racing fans. We follow the whole calendar, debate races, argue about drivers. It’s a fun, family activity.”
Regnier and his wife, Lynne, have been married for 20 years and live in a wooded area just outside of Sydney. “When we bought our home, I was already thinking about accessibility,” he says. “I’ve seen so many people forced to leave their homes because they weren’t accessible. I wanted a place we could stay in as we age.” His career has shaped how he sees the world. “Now, wherever I go, I notice whether a place is accessible or not. It’s second nature to see the world through my career experiences.”
That sense of awareness, of attentiveness, is a through-line of Regnier’s work. It is not just about selling equipment, but it is also about meeting people where they are, hearing their concerns and helping them maintain dignity and independence. He credits much of his early development to mentors like Tim and Valerie Spencer, who gave Regnier his first job in the industry in their family-owned business. Later, after the Spencers sold their company, Tim hired him as a service tech in another home health care business. “Tim eventually moved on, and I stepped into his sales position,” Regnier said. “Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to learn from someone like Tim so early in my career.”
Asked how he defines success in his role, Regnier doesn’t hesitate. “If no one’s mad at me, that’s a good day! Seriously, I consider my day a success when I’ve helped solve a problem. When I’ve made sure a client or their family understands the equipment and what it can do. When I’ve communicated clearly enough to avoid surprises. For David Regnier, that’s not just a good day—it’s the whole point of being in this profession.”
Regnier’s work is about listening well and guiding others through complex decisions with clarity and care. In a profession where the smallest detail can shape the quality of someone’s daily life, this kind of quiet dedication has a lasting impact.
David may be reached at David.Regnier@lawtons.ca.
David Regnier, RRTS, with 20 years’ experience in the industry, is a rehab product specialist with Lawtons Home Healthcare, a large provider in the Maritime Provinces of Canada. He lives in Sydney, Nova Scotia, with his wife and three children. Regnier is primarily responsible for Cape Breton Island, a region with a population of 130,000, which is directly connected to mainland Nova Scotia via a causeway.