We did not really have any dogs in our family growing up.  Instead I played with all of my friends' pet dogs.  I always wanted a dog of my own.

The first dog I owned was a dog we rescued as a stray in 1987 or so. His name was “Hoover” after the Hoover Dam! He seemed to be already trained, and he went with me every day as a true "therapy dog" in the Upper Extremity Clinic in Denver that I worked at as a Hand Therapist.

I became interested in dog training a few years later when my husband and I adopted a Labrador puppy at 6 months of age who had no training. She opened the world of dog sports to me.  "Mesa" had to be trained and I started learning about dog behavior training, obedience, and agility.

I joined the Durham Kennel Club as soon as we relocated here from Pennsylvania in June of 2021. I participate in agility, obedience, scent work, nose work, hunt tests and have also done some therapy dog work with multiple dogs.

Durham Kennel Club has been instrumental in my success with finishing Ripley ’s CDX title. With the help of several of the members to provide some “team” training and open practice sessions, we have been able to simulate trial-like conditions to prepare for competition. I have attended Obedience Classes that have been helpful to us as well.

My proudest moment in dog sports was being a finalist at the Westminster Kennel Club ’s Agility Championship for three consecutive years with my Labrador, “Piper”.

I have found the members of Durham Kennel Club to be very gracious and accepting of new people coming in to the area. It has been fun getting to know new friends and their wonderful dogs.  It is a true blessing to have such a nice facility for training.