Pam started in agility in 2000 with her German Shepherd, Traudle.  Needing a more enthused agility dog she acquired her Pembroke Welsh Corgi, “Teddy” from the Visintainer’s in 2002.  Pam and Teddy have competed in agility since 2003 and are currently running at the Elite and Masters level in USDAA, AKC and NADAC.  Pam and Teddy were the USDAA Regional Champions for Performance National Standard in 2007.  Performance National Standard-National Finalists 2007.  Performance Speed Jumping-National Finalists 2007 (2^nd Place).  Pam and Teddy were the first handler-dog team in La Plata County to earn an AKC Rally title.

Pam was drawn to agility by the challenge and the strategy it takes to run a course with a thinking partner.  From her 20 years experience as a ski instructor and racer, she understands the importance of analysis of the course and a planned strategy to be successful in agility.   Her training helps her analyze the movements of the handler and the cause and effects it has on the dog.  She believes in a partnership between the dog and the handler, in which each member has a defined job and responsibility.  This then defines a working agility team.

Pam has served on the DAD Board Directors since it was formed in 2002 and has Trial chaired the local NADAC sanctioned trials held by DAD.  She is also a member of the Durango Kennel Club and the United States Dog Agility Association.

Eric has been involved with obedience and agility since he adopted his All American, Bart, in 2001.  Bart had been at the shelter for 4 months when he found a home and a “job” with Eric.  Eric enjoys agility for the camaraderie he sees among handlers and their dogs and how much fun it is for the dogs.  Eric and Bart began competing in NADAC in 2002 and have earned their Elite Agility Certificate (EAC). 

As a DAD trainer, Eric uses his patient, straightforward approach to help handlers and their dogs learn the necessary skills to successfully negotiate an agility course.  He stresses positive reinforcement and the importance of making it a fun learning experience.  Eric is an active volunteer and long time trainer for DAD and coordinates the scorekeeping for all DAD trials.

Julie brings over 10 years of professional training experience to DAD.  She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, teaching puppy classes, pet dog manners and AKC Canine Good Citizen preparedness classes.  Julie has competed with her German Shepherd, Bonnie, earning Schutzhund II, CD (Companion Dog) and CGC (Canine Good Citizen).  She has competed and titled in agility with her All American, Taxi, and her Papillion, Willie.

Julie’s focus in training is to promote science-based, dog-friendly training techniques.  She hopes to help owners and their dogs understand each other and establish a relationship based on mutual trust and respect.  Julie serves on the DAD board and has a dog training business in Pagosa Springs.

Cindy first became interested in dog agility when she watched a competition on Animal Planet.  She responded to an ad for dog agility classes and was hooked on the sport.  Four years and many runs later, Cindy sees agility as something her dogs enjoy doing as much as she does.  She competes in NADAC and USDAA with her Border Collie, Sadie and her Shetland Sheepdog, Pete.  Cindy and Sadie are competing at the Elite level in NADAC with an eye on their NATCH title (North American Agility Trial Champion).  Pete is working in Elite and Open levels in NADAC and USDAA. 

With two fast breeds, Cindy has learned how to work at a distance from her dogs.  She enjoys giving back to DAD by serving on the board of directors as president and sharing her experience with new handlers and their dogs.  Cindy is a member of Durango Kennel Club, NADAC and USDAA.

Mary started her dog training career in 1993 with a Humane Society program in Maine.  She moved on to showing in conformation and obedience as a Junior Handler. Mary responded to the needs she saw among dog owners to teach obedience skills to their dogs as well as helping owners deal with a variety of canine behavioral problems.

Mary has trained and shown her two Shetland Sheepdogs, Crash and Pistol achieving AKC titles of CD (Companion Dog) and CGC (Canine Good Citizen) with Crash and Rally Excellent title with Pistol.

Mary’s training philosophy is based on a balanced approach that helps dogs learn the boundaries of acceptable behavior.  She believes that obedience skills give a dog the keys to communication that help them succeed in agility.  She sees agility as an excellent way in which dogs can use both their athletic and mental abilities in a fun activity.

Mary worked with students in the La Plata County 4-H club dog project for four years.  She currently offers private dog training in obedience, rally and behavioral consultation and is an AKC registered Canine Good Citizen evaluator.  Mary serves on the DAD board as secretary.

Ellen, full of energy and confidence, brings high level skills and a unique perspective to her teaching.  She adopted her dog, Sadie, from the Humane Society in 2000 and started agility classes with her a year later.  “When we began competing in 2002,” Ellen says, “we were barely able to run a course, and we just blew past the teeter and weaves.”  Sadie was scared of many things, and it took them twice as long to attain the skills they now possess.

But Ellen was patient and perceptive, and her approach paid off.  This slow-to-bloom team went to NADAC nationals in 2004, winning first place in team competition with Jill Brazell and Monica, third place in tunnelers and sixth place in the regular course.

Because of her experiences with a less confident dog, Ellen’s strength as a teacher is in problem solving, in seeking different or better ways to achieve a goal or learn a skill.  This same creativity is evident in her professional work as a physical therapist, specializing in out-patient orthopedic treatment and manual therapy. 

Ellen helped to create DAD and taught for three years before taking a break.  She loves playing with her dog, and wants her students to gain both the enthusiasm for the sport and the discipline necessary to succeed.