I never had dogs growing up, so I came to the dog world as an adult, and I think that has given me a unique perspective. Since my “day job” is university teaching, it was natural for me to research—obsessively—every aspect of dogs, training, and dog-human interactions. Because working with dogs was not part of how I’d grown up, I learned to break everything down into pieces of a process. And because being a teacher IS part of my DNA, I thoroughly enjoy sharing what I’ve learned with others.
I’ve competed in nose work for about a decade, and it’s my favorite thing to do with my German Shepherd, Kassiani. Aside from being a fun sport that lets me work as a team with my dog, nose work has built confidence, independence, and joy in my dog that carries over into our regular, everyday lives. Kassiani and I compete in NACSW and C-WAGS regularly and in UKC periodically.
I am a C-WAGS trial Advocate and completing NACSW score room training to be a Score Room Lead. Additionally, I’m an AKC Certified Fetch Judge, Canine Good Citizen, Puppy S.T.A.R. and Trick Evaluator. I’m fortunate to have Lisa Godfrey as a nose work training mentor, and we work regularly together to expand my knowledge and skill base as an instructor. I also participate frequently in nose work training seminars, webinars, and coaching to improve my own team nose work skills and then can share that learning with nose work classes I teach.
