I have always loved animals.  I grew up riding horses and our family pets consisted of fish, guinea pigs, mice, a cockatiel, cats, and of course - dogs.  As a youngster, I used to try and get our Miniature Schnauzer, Skippy, to jump over jumps made from fence rails propped up on cinder blocks, and I used to walk around the yard with him pretending we were doing obedience commands.  Later on when I was older, I would catch occasional brief moments of agility being shown on tv.  I would watch with intense interest as the dogs went over jumps, through tunnels and up A-frames, and I 'd think "I want to do that!"  When I finally got out on my own and was able to get a dog, the first thing I did was sign her up for obedience classes so we could get started working on agility.

I am currently owned by three dogs - Piper, Gryphon and Cadence.  Piper is a Parson Russell terrier/Beagle mix (but who really knows?), adopted from Happy Hills Animal Foundation in Staley, NC on August 11, 2001.  She is 8 years old and currently competes in flyball tournaments with our flyball team, Go Dog Go.  She has earned several flyball titles, up to Flyball Master Excellent (FMX - 10,000 points).  Agility proved not to be Piper's "thing" but she excels at flyball and is a champion snuggler.  She does dabble a bit with NADAC's Tunnelers and Touch n' Go classes and has earned one leg toward to a TNG title and two legs toward her Tunnelers title.  I am also proud to say that, thanks to Piper's continuing efforts, our back yard is totally free of the pesky, evil toads that have the audacity to enter our yard and hide in small spaces!

Gryphon (Image's Syncopated Rhythm) is an Australian Shepherd.  He was born March 21, 2004 at Image Aussies in Verona, VA.  When it came time for my second dog, I really wanted a dog that I would be able to train from day one, who was intelligent and biddable, with a friendly temperament and willingness to work.  After a lot of research and talking to people and breeders I decided to get an Aussie and I've never regretted it.  Gryphon is a smart, sweet, goofy boy and I just love him to pieces!  He currently competes in agility and is in training for Rally Obedience and Musical Freestyle.  Gryphon competes in AKC, USDAA and NADAC agility.  We may one day try our hand at herding, but for the time being, he has shown more interest in cleaning up after the sheep, rather than herding them.

Cadence joined our family on April 1, 2006.  He is a color-headed white Australian Shepherd born January 27, 2006 and was adopted through Aussie Rescue Placement Helpline (ARPH).  Click here to read more about Cadence.

In addition to the dogs, I also share the household with my husband, Tracy (who would rather spend his time playing computer games or building something with wood and power tools, then spend all day at an agility trial...can you believe it??) and our cata, Harmony and Calliope, who mostly spend thier time keeping the guest bed or couch from flying away and trying to figure out how not to get chased by the dogs.

I started at Teamworks as a student in 2003.  A year later I became a volunteer, then a class assistant, and I took over the Administrative Assistant position in October, 2004 and worked as Admin until May, 2008.  I currently teach the Monday night Pre-Agility, Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Distraction Proofing classes in North Raleigh; and the Tuesday daytime Beginner and Intermediate Agility classes in Youngsville.   I am the judge hostess for Teamworks' agility trials and twice have been trial secretary for a former agility club.  Although my original training was in audiology, I have left that behind that to pursue my dream of being a vet tech.  I currently work as a vet assistant at Crossroads Veterinary Hospital.  When I'm not at my "real" job, I can usually be found at Teamworks - either taking classes, practicing, or helping out with an agility trial.  There is nowhere else on earth I'd rather be on the weekends than attending a doggie sporting event!

You'll notice that all of my pets have musical names (Gryphon's musical theme is his registered name).  I spent my entire academic career playing clarinet and alto sax in wind symphony, orchestra, jazz band and marching band.  I am very proud to have been a member of the James Madison University Marching Royal Dukes (MRD).  I do miss playing my clarinet and one day I'm sure I will figure out a way to combine running an agility course and marching with an instrument.  But for now I am content just giving my pets musical names.