Bragging Rights:
I have had a love and dedication to training dogs my entire life. I began training dogs competitively in my teenage years when I began showing Rough Collies and Doberman Pinschers in Conformation and Obedience Classes for my parents and began training dogs professionally in 1981. I titled my first Breed Champion, a Doberman Pinscher, when I was only 13 years old. In 1982 I joined the Victoria Dog Obedience Club where I was an active member and Obedience Instructor teaching Novice, Open, Utility and Puppy Classes and was on one of the first Agility Teams in the United States. Throughout the years, I have constantly expanded my education in regards to dog training and in particular working with difficult behavioral issues such as aggression. I specialize in evaluating behavioral issues and defining programs to assist owners in overcoming these issues with their canine companions. I am a Certified Veterinary Technician and have served on the Board of Directors for the Veterinary Health Care Team of Arizona since 2002. I served as the Education Committee Chairman from 2002-2009, setting educational opportunities for Veterinary Staff statewide, I served from 2008-2009 as the President. I continually work with and collaborate with Veterinarians and Veterinary Staff on educational programs for the general public as an advocate for keeping pets in their homes through proper training and reducing the numbers of pets in shelters by spaying and neutering. In 1988 I took an interest in Search and Rescue and have volunteered countless hours every year since, in this endeavor. During my years of involvement with SAR I have responded to numerous searches, nationally and internationally, that resulted in many finds and letters of commendation for service. In 1997 alone I responded to approximately 35 searches as a K-9 Team Leader and Handler of Sheik & Remington, which resulted in them having many finds. These finds included wilderness, water, urban, disaster, cadaver, evidence and bone identification. I began my SAR Career with the Kentucky Search Dog Association. I was instrumental in the formation of MARK-9 (Maricopa Association of Rescue K9’s) and Arizona Search Track and Rescue, Inc. (a non-profit organization) and have served in numerous capacities with both organizations. I also helped set some of the highest standards and testing & evaluation procedures for K-9′s and Handlers in the state with these organizations. Currently Arizona Search Track and Rescue, Inc. has some of the highest standards in the Nation. The past few years we have responded to over 40 searches a year with approximately 98+ search days each year. I have trained 9 of my own dogs to Advanced Operational Levels and have assisted in the training of hundreds of other Operational SAR Dogs across the country. I currently have three operationally trained SAR dogs who are at advanced levels, as well as a young dog in-training. My AZ STaR Roles have included: Founder of AZ STaR in 1989, Board of Director President, Commander, Training Officer, Standards & Records Officer, Team Leader, Public Information Officer, Search Management, Lead Instructor, and Operational K9 Handler in the following disciplines: Airscent, Trailing, Cadaver, Water, Evidence and Human Remains Detection. Outside of working my dogs, I volunteer many hours doing guest speaking, public appearances, demonstrations and working with youth and adult groups to educate them about wilderness safety as well as the capabilities of search dogs in various disciplines. Additionally, I became certified through The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) as a Dive Master (professional level diver) in 2010. I teach and assist in teaching many scuba diving courses.