About Me

Timeline 

1986

I  started working dogs back in 1986 when I was just 16 years old.  I originally worked at a Kennel named Big Basin School For Dogs, it was in the hills of Saratoga, CA.  I learned a lot about handling dogs in different disciplines and able to observe them working in obedience, Schutzhund and general pet dog behavior.  I later started working for a Saratoga School for Dogs and had a similar focus but also worked with actors for movies.   

1990

In 1990 I started working with my dogs in Schutzhund and basic obedience.    I also started going to school to become a Veterinary Technician.   I passed my Registered Veterinary Technician Board Exam in 1994 and started working in a Veterinary Hospital (Adobe Vet Hospital) .

1994

 I was first introduced to search and rescue (SAR) in 1994.  I was trying it with a German Shepherd named Otto that I got for a birthday present.  He unfortunately did not have the drives to be successful.   I had been also raising a Guide Dog for the Blind puppy (puppy raiser) named Glacier.   Glacier had completed all of his test and was partnered with a blind person.  Unfortunately, or fortunately in 1996 he was listed as a "career change" for barking at a pigeon and something else very minor and I was offered the chance to get him back.  I was ecstatic to get him back!! I tried Glacier out with SAR and he seemed to be doing better but we had some issues with him learning to work away from me.  He had a very relaxed demeanor but caught on to the duties quickly.  He was a very methodical searcher and I was able to get him certified in Wilderness Area (Area) within 14 months.  I continued on getting him certified in Human Remains Detection (HRD) in 1998.   I continued working dogs in both Area and HRD .

2007

This was one of my life changing moments.