I started agility in 2001 with my Labrador Archie and then got the agility bug and started competing. He did have his odd quirk of picking his moment, on the odd times, to leave the ring with no warning should he notice food near by, especially burger vans!! He got me into the Starter Cup Final at the biggest agility show in the UK before he retired. By then I also had Fern, a crazy border collie who was great fun and suddenly I found myself going from a steady reliable Labrador to a full speed crazy Merle who had amazing contacts and again competed and got me to grade 5 and several novice cup finals before she retired from injury. Since then I have owned a black and white collie called Drift and now a Mini American Shepherd called Rio who loved his agility and now retired.

I have also been an agility instructor since 2006 after completing my Agility Club Approved Instructor Course and have also just passed my Pro Dog Trainers course 2018.

  

I’ve always worked with animals from leaving school and have been veterinary nursing for 25 years and now I do more admin/reception work. I have also set up with Sarah, Severalls Agility School.

I started agility in 2005 with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Someone at the obedience class we attended said I should try it and I’ve never looked back! She got to grade 2 but her love of running in every direction possible and also my nerves meant we didn’t get alot further! I then had a crazy rescue dog that got to grade 5 with one win to grade 6. She taught me so much about dog training in general and how love and patience really do help to build an amazing relationship. We have appeared on TV and qualified for the Agility Club Starters final. I miss her gorgeous face and funny, crazy ways. I now own a working cocker spaniel and due to mine and his health issues we now do slower paced activites!

I became an assistant instructor to build my knowledge for a few years before passing my Agility Club Approved Instructors Course in 2013. I volunteered for Colchester Dog Agility Club for a number of years as a trainer and their Training Co-ordinator. It is a real buzz to see the dogs and handlers progress and the love everyone shares for agility. When you catch the bug it becomes a life of shows, training and making amazing friends!

A chance meeting at the Dogs Play Centre meant that Julia and I could build our love and knowledge and teach the clients and other visitors to the Dogs Play Centre and we now run various classes and one to ones weekly.