Meet the instructors.

Hi! My name is Karen, and I've been involved in agility for about 15 years. I started as a junior handler and have gotten back into the sport as an adult. That first agility dog was a miniature Rat Terrier named Minnie — I didn't realize until I started another dog what a gift she was, and I owe her much for what she taught me.

My current agility dog is Lilo, a deaf border collie whose big goal is an ADCH. I own three border collies, two tortoises, and an Arabian horse.

With agility training, I'm a big advocate for each dog as an individual. If you can find strengths and build on them, you can achieve anything. Your dog is beyond capable — and so are you.

Hi! My name is Beth, and I started agility with my first dog, Finn, at GDA in September 2023.

As a new instructor, I'm excited to share with handlers what I've learned these past few years. Every class is an ah-ha moment for me — there are so many layers to agility. I'm looking forward to helping others have fun with their dogs, and to have those ah-ha moments too!

Finn is my best friend and my best coach. Agility has helped strengthen our bond and communication skills, and I hope I can help other teams have fun and strengthen their bond with their dogs.

I came to Good Dog Agility with my first agility dog in February of 2008 and have been with them ever since. That first dog was a Queensland Heeler mix I adopted as a puppy from the Arizona Humane Society. She graduated from Beginner Class in June of 2008 and went on to earn her PDCH in 2015. I trained a second dog, an Australian Shepherd also adopted from the Arizona Humane Society, who earned his PDCH in 2015. I'm currently working with another Australian Shepherd who is close to completing his P1 title.

I started teaching agility classes for Good Dog Agility in the fall of 2008 and have taught various levels on and off since then. I especially like seeing the special bond between dog and handler develop and grow as they work with each other.

My teaching philosophy is that it should be fun for both you and your dog. Patience and consistency will get you there. Be open to trying new things even if you don't think they'll work for you or your dog — you may be surprised.

I've picked up many training tips from instructors, students, other competitors, and even USDAA judges over the years. It's amazing what you can learn just talking and listening to other agility people.

I'm retired US Navy — I spent 21 years in submarines, so I didn't have time for a dog until later in life. I'm so happy to be able to make up for that now. I also took over as the club equipment manager in 2014.

I got interested in dog agility while watching my grandpa run and train his dog when I was about three years old. I would go home and run my stuffed toy puppies on a pretend agility course in the living room, using chairs and pillows as obstacles. Grandpa eventually made miniature agility obstacles including a set of weaves, and taught me the proper entry and all about contacts too.

I started running one of his dogs in competition when I was eight and got the final Snooker Q he needed to earn his PDCH. As that dog got older I ran him in the Veterans Class and earned another title with him. I placed third with him in the Junior Handlers Showcase at Cynosports. I now run and train his third agility dog and we're close to earning his P1 title. I also have my own dog, adopted from Border Collie Rescue, in the Continued Beginner Class.

I started teaching Beginner Classes in the fall of 2019, encouraged by my Intermediate and Handlers instructor Maureen Hughes — and I'm glad that I did. I enjoy seeing the dogs and handlers gain confidence and learn to work with each other.

I've also been riding horses since I was nine. I ride English and have competed in Junior Hunter Jumper shows.

Growing up, I rode horses competitively. After I started my family and my technology career, I downsized to dogs — agility was a natural fit.

I've been competing in agility over 20 years with pure breeds and mixed breeds. I currently have three Labs: Cork, Juice and Fizzy.

I've earned multiple championships with different dogs and organizations, and have several AKC Top 25 Agility Dog breed rankings for Labs. I've competed in numerous AKC and USDAA national events with multiple top-ten finishes, and been on the podium at regional and national events, including the AKC National Agility Championship finals.

Agility is constantly changing, so I regularly attend seminars offered by top national and international trainers to keep my skills current. Besides agility, my dogs and I also compete in scent work, obedience and hunt tests.

I'm addicted to training. Watching the “light bulb” moments is such a rush. As dog trainers we're very lucky to be able to connect and communicate so intimately with a different species — when it all comes together in that one special performance, it makes all the hours of dedication worth it.

My training philosophy is to build a strong foundation in both skills and theory, so no course seems too difficult or unachievable.