Click to learn about the Dogs of Agility Mindset.
About me.
After a successful journey as a nationally ranked archer, I hung up my bow in 2003 and picked up the sport of dog agility, as a way to encourage confidence and overcome anxieties in a dog we rescued. My goal was to learn a little, meet some new people, have fun, and perhaps compete. I’ve met those goals and also trained 3 more dogs for agility, earning 20 Championship titles in AKC, USDAA, UKI and NADAC along the way. A student of the sport, I am eager to learn various methodologies and their appropriate application. As an archer, I began studying the mindset of winning and am now gaining a reputation as an effective sports results coach, in part, because of my personal philosophy to “Make it happen.” I focus on building mental strength, confidence and the mindset needed to be successful in sports and life.
In Nov. 2019, Happy (Shetland Sheepdog, Jandale’s Make It Happen) and I won a spot on the AKC European Open Team that will represent the US in England in July 2020. We’re excited to be part of this prestigious team, and competing with the world’s best from dozens of countries.
With Cruzer Patterson, my previous agility partner, the achievements were amazing. We won a spot on two national teams (AKC World Team and UKI United States Team) and were chosen as alternates for the AKC European Open Team. In competition, we stood on podiums at Cynosports as the 3rd place winner in Grand Prix, at the Westminster Agility Masters Championship (16″ division Champion) and were 2-time AKC National Agility Championship Finalists.
My support system includes Billy, my husband of 34 years, and the Patterson Pack: Boomer (rescue terrier), and 2 shelties: Catcher and Happy.
Achievements
- 20 Agility Championships in AKC, USDAA, NADAC and UKI
- Westminster Master’s Agility Championship 2016, Finalist, 1st Place
- Westminster Master’s Agility Championship 2015, Finalist, 4th Place
- AKC International Team Tryouts 2015, Round 1, 2nd Place
Team Spots:
- AKC European Open Team Tryouts 2019, 1st Place JWW, Team USA Win-On Spot
- AKC International Team Tryouts 2016, 1st Place, Team USA Win-On Team Spot
- UKI US OPEN 2015, National Biathlon Champion, 1st place, Win-On Team Spot
- AKC European Open Team 2015, Alternate, Medium Team
National Events:
- AKC National Agility Championships 2016, Finalist, 6th Place
- AKC National Agility Championships 2015, Finalist, 8th Place
- USDAA Cynosports 2015, Grand Prix Finalist, 3rd Place
- USDAA Cynosports 2015, Steeplechase Finalist
- USDAA Cynosports 2015, Team Relay Finalist (202 Teams)
Regional Events:
- USDAA New England Regionals 2015, Team Competition, 1st Place (52 Teams)
- USDAA New England Regionals 2015, Team Standard, 1st Place
- USDAA New England Regionals 2015, Grand Prix Finalist, 3rd Place
- USDAA New England Regionals 2015, Steeplechase Finalist, 4th Place
- USDAA New England Regionals 2015, Place Biathlon, 3rd Place
Education:
I have been blessed to work with some of the finest trainers, to attend amazing seminars and camps, to participate in incredible competitions, and to have grown a network of friends and colleagues that will be forever a part of this experience.
For all the incredible skills I’ve been taught, I have understood though, that the one aspect of the sport that is on me, is my mental strength, and of my connection, my true connection, to my canine partner.
My Zen of Archery and Agility
The discipline of archery is simple: Focus. Breathe. Trust. Repeat. To master this ancient art requires patience and centering, consistency, and a powerful mindset of mastery.
Before agility, archery provided me with skills and a viewpoint of the need for a “wholistic” approach to training that transitioned well to dog agility. That foundation led me to understand that handling the mind is equally as important as handling the lines of a course.
That is what I want for you. And, it can be yours, with an Agility Mindset.
Focus. Breathe. Trust. Repeat.
The Agility Mindset 