Greetings Simsbury, CT, and vicinity:
I am an encourager by nature, and I love a good puzzle when it comes to the learning style of a human and the learning style of their dog. I taught ninth grade math for many years, and I am essentially endlessly patient when it comes to figuring out what can help someone (canine or human) learn how to learn. The most exciting and enduring factor in using positive reinforcement for training and teaching is that it spills over into all kinds of other situations involving learning, communicating, and developing relationships. For the last five years, I have enjoyed working with 25 clients who trained in AKC agility or rally continuously and 27 others who took series of classes in beginning agility, puppy skills and manners, or private lessons. I am a retired English and math teacher with two masters degrees -- one in Sportsmedicine and one in Counseling Therapy. I have been training and competing with dogs in a serious way since 1993, starting in Huntsville, AL, continuing in Santa Barbara, CA for 18 years, and teaching more recently in my thriving business in southern Oregon. Deeply involved with therapy dogs since 1993, I have been an evaluator for Therapy Dogs International since 1997. Three of our family's Border Collies were certified as Disaster Stress Relief dogs; seven have been certified for volunteer work in hospitals, hospice, schools, and treatment facilities. I advised Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara in the development and supervision of their therapy dog program for many years. I currently compete in AKC agility with a young Border Collie and do therapy dog work with a retired agility dog who was highly successful in spite of being deaf. I competed in AKC obedience and rally obedience with our previous dogs. I am a professional member of APDT, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and a member of the Dog Writers' Association of America. I am a judge for the annual writing contest for DWAA and have earned their coveted Maxwell Medallion recognition for both writing and photography. My husband and I moved to Simsbury in January 2022 to be closer to family and our childhood hometowns. I am continuing dog training and professional photography here, and I look forward to the wonderful connections that are achieved through our work with dogs. I look forward to meeting you!
