I stepped into my first agility class the fall of 1998 thinking “I’ll just give this a try”.  In May of 1999 Jewel and I entered our first agility trial in Granby, MA, taking a crate, a chair and my Aunt Rose along for the ride.  I was still thinking “I’ll just give this a try.”  Ten years later I’m still just giving it a try.  I never would have imagined that this sport would become such a large part of my life.

This sport has certainly changed from that day in 1999.  Now I have a plan for when I’ll be adding that next puppy to the family and the next one after that.  I have a coach, my good friend Chris Parker of Speedoggie Performance Dog Training (www.speedoggie.com), who trains me and my dogs, who allows me to travel with her to trials and who supports me in so many ways.

I study mental management techniques, sports psychology, animal behavior, core strengthening exercises, foundation work, relationship skills, clicker training, classroom management and more. 

I walk around with my video camera, surveyor’s wheel, clicker, targets, baggies, notebooks, training plans and pockets of kibble – even in my “work clothes”.

 I talk about yards per second, lineage, puppies, who pooped when, random reinforcement schedules and variations in performance.

 I use terms like FM and WWCPD and ARG.

Now, I travel about 40 plus weekends a year competing in three venues of agility: AKC (www.akc.org), USDAA (www.usdaa.com), DOCNA (www.docna.com).  At any time I may be running between 1 and 4 of my canine partners trying to qualify for some regional or national event.  In 2007 I became a DOCNA judge.  I’ve hosted sanctioned NADAC and DOCNA trials over the past 7 years.   

In addition to agility we’ve trained in obedience, rally, herding and flyball but agility is our first love.
I have been teaching agility and other human/dog sports since 2001.  Flying High Agility was born in 2003.  My focus, after attending two Speedoggie skills camps and discovering the value there, is building a solid foundation for agility training and all canine relationship and developing a positive relationship with your canine partner. 

I occasionally offer weekly group classes but focus mainly private lessons at Sugar Bush Farm in Stephentown, NY and in Rhinebeck, NY and as well as workshops and seminars in the CT/NY/NJ/MA/VT area.  All upcoming events are posted on the calendar page and announcements are made to my yahoo group.  Please mail me for information.  I also have the fun and honor to teach for Speedoggie on occasion.

An avid learner I actively attend workshops, seminars and private lessons with my own dogs.

In my non-dog life I work at the Yerwood Center (www.yerwoodcenter.org) in Stamford, CT.  Torch and Flicker are Delta Society Pet Partners.  They accompany me to work on a regular basis and spend time with the children in the programs at the Center.  They both simply adore the work and may be found listening to the kids read aloud, playing Candy Land, offering Math Challenges and Spelling Bees even playing basketball.  Of course the kids love to play vet with the dogs, look in their mouths and check out their teeth and feet.  And, both dogs do their share of agility demos, often weaving and jumping with 25 to 40 kids one after another.

I hold a MA in international marketing and business communication.  In addition to my dog life I have worked in fundraising, marketing and education for about 20 years.