Newfoundland Dogs have been an important part of my life for more than thirty years.  My dogs have been successful in conformation, obedience, rally, tracking, and scent work.  They also participate in Newfoundland water rescue and draft work.  I owner handled my Lucy to the Newfoundland Club of America’s Top Twenty Conformation dogs four years in a row.  Oliver was ranked in the top-five Newfoundland show dogs for three years in a row.  Both dogs also achieved the coveted Versatile Newfoundland title.  To achieve this, they were required to be a Champion, have a Companion Dog title, be a Water Dog and a Water Rescue Dog, and a Draft Dog.  Both dogs were awarded a Best in Show award.  Oliver received two invitations to show at the Westminster Kennel Club.  My Nelson was one of the few Newfoundlands to ever earn a Tracking Dog Excellent title.  Lucy, Oliver, and Nelson are also Canadian Kennel Club Champions.  Matilda is a AKC Silver Grand Champion. 

 

   Perhaps, my Newfoundlands greatest achievement has been working as therapy dogs at Craig Hospital and Denver International Airport.  My dogs have worked at Craig since 1990 and at the Denver Airport since 2015.  Nelson became a 7News Everyday Hero for his work at Craig Hospital.  I consider the role of therapy dogs to be very important.  Because of this, I’m a Tester/Observer for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

 

   As a result of living with my wonderful Newfoundlands, I participate in a variety of dog-related activities.  I’m an AKC conformation judge.  I currently judge two Groups and a total of seventy-three breeds.  I’m working to be approved to judge my third group, the Toy Group.  I also judge AKC Rally.  For the Newfoundland Club of America, I serve as a Mentor Water and Draft Test judge. 

 

   I believe it is important to contribute to organizations that support our dogs.  For this reason, I serve on the boards of the Dog Judge’s Association of America, The High Country Newfoundland Club, The Denver Foothills Tracking Association, The Evergreen Kennel Club, The Roaring Fork Kennel Club, and the Rocky Mountain Non-Sporting Club. 

 

   Blue Springs ‘n Katydid Dog Training Center has been an important part of my dog life for more than twenty years.  I have trained my dogs there and been an instructor.  In the past, I have taught conformation classes, obedience, rally, and puppy kindergarten.  Because of my dog show judging schedule, I no longer regularly teach classes, but I’m often invited to substitute for various classes.