I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunities that I have by being involved with Teamworks Dog Training.
I am also fortunate to be able to live my dream by being involved in the world of dog training and dog
sports. When I started in agility, I had no idea what all this was about, other than dogs running an obstacle course
and it looked fun. I started off training at Bon-Clyde Learning Center in Sanford, NC. When I moved from Sanford to
Cary, NC, driving an hour to Sanford proved too much. A friend suggested I look into Teamworks. I began training
at Teamworks in September, 2003. Since that time, I have met the most wonderful, supportive people who have taught me
more than I could have imagined in just the few years I've been doing this. Around May. 2004 I found out about the volunteer
program at Teamworks and it took off from there. Through those opportunities I have been able to continue my training,
both my own and my dogs'.
I wanted to get involved with agility before I actually ran a dog in competition, so that by the time
I got into the ring to compete, I would have a good idea of what to expect and not all of it would be new to me. Being
involved with Teamworks has allowed me to work "behind the scenes" in every aspect of agility! I have helped in and
out of the ring, assisted with set-up and course changes, helped at the scoring table, and gotten involved with chauffering
judges. I have even been Trial Secretary twice...all before ever running a dog.
I finally was able to enter my first agility trials in late Autumn, 2005 with Gryphon, my Aussie.
As much as I learned outside the ring, being in the ring is a totally different experience! How exciting -and
nerve racking - it was to first walk a course with the rest of the exhibitors, planning out my strategy; wait
outside the ring for our turn and then actually run the course, with all my friends clapping for us as we completed.
Who needs drugs?? Agility has its own natural high and, as anyone who does agility will tell you, is
highly addictive! I now run two Aussies in agility - one full time and one part time, only because he's still a bit
too young and needs some work. But he'll get there!
I am very fortunate that I have had so many wonderful people help me and take me under their wing.
I enjoy passing that on to other people, answering what questions I can about the sport and offering people the ability to
get involved as I have. There are many people to whom I owe great thanks but a few I speficially have to mention
are:
Michele Godlevski - for giving me the opportunities that you have to get involved
with Teamworks and to continue training, at a time when it would not have otherwise been possible. You gave me
a reason to get up in the morning when I had none and for that I will be truly grateful. You are a great mentor and a
wonderful friend, but I still swear every time I see you I end up in tears!
Leanne Brown - another mentor to whom I owe a great debt of thanks. You, most of
all, have taken me under your wing and taught me just about everything I know about teaching and training. You gave
me a chance to work with you and I had absolutely no experience whatsoever, other than taking classes. I'm glad that
we've gotten along so well. What a long way I have come under your guidance! You give me encouragement,
kick my butt when necessary, and you (figuratively, of course) smack me upside the head when I need it. If your friends
can't do that for you, who can?? Thanks for always reminding me to keep it in perspective and that everything I do effects
my dog.
Renee Westich - for being a great friend and truly special person, for sharing in
my trials and tribulations and for sharing my love of dogs and training. Girl, you know you can count on me, even when
you've got bears in your backyard (wink wink).
Andy and Nadine McBride - thanks for letting me join your team. You guys are....um,
you guys are...well, what can I say? You guys are just nuts.
