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| Maureen and Bo winning the 1989 JRTCA Obedience Nationals. |
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Dog Works Training Center is located on Lee and Maureen's farm overlooking Lake Summit.
Maureen has been owned by dogs and horses her whole life. She has competed in agility for 16 years. Her Jack Russell Terrier, Bo, was the first Jack in the U.S. to earn the top level Utility Title in Obedience.
SVF Poison Ivy, her Australian Shepherd, earned Obedience Dog World Awards, placed in the USDAA Agility Grand Prix National Finals, was fifth 3 years in a row in the AKC Agility National Finals, an earned an Agility Dog Championship.
SVF Bar Hopper was Maureen's 25 wedding anniversary gift from Lee. "Toad" and Maureen finished third in the American Kennel Clubs 2000 National International Class. Toad, like Ivy, is an Agility Dog Champion both in USDAA and AKC agility. Toad has been seen many times on Animal Planet, been a USDAA Steeplechase finalist as well as Grand Prix finalist, and was a 30 inch top ten in Jumpers in his young age.
Maureen has also trained her rescue Border Collie, SVF Lightning Bug in Agility. In 2005 Maureen brought out Bug in her first National competition. Bug did an outstanding job winning he 18" team standard and jumpers combination on Friday and took second place in the 16 inch "hybrid" round on Sunday, earning her way into the "Challenger's Round". Many will tell you that this round is the most exciting round in the entire AKC competition!
SVF Leap'n Lizard, arrived August 28, 2004. Maureen spends most of her personal dog training time working with Lizard as she learns the exciting sport of sheep herding. Maureen and Lizard started competing in 2007 and are enjoying themselves. They have won some pro-novice and nursery USBCHA classes and are already competeing in Open. This accomplishment is unusal for new dogs being trained by new herding handlers. Maureen credits their success to Lizard's breeding and the good instruction they have received from top trainers. Lizard qualified and competed in the Nursery class at the Border Collie Handlers National finals 2007 . Lizard was voted by the four judges at the 2007 Bluegrass Classic to be "The Most Promising Young Dog". The Bluegrass Classic competition is one of the longest-running and most prestigious trials in the country. The trial typically draws top handlers from across the USA and Canada, as well as hundreds of local spectators.
SVF Newt will arrived at the farm March 2007. In November, 2007, Newt was running a Pro-Novice course and enjoying himself. May 2008 finds Newt following in Lizards footsteps as he too brings home a special award from the Bluegrass Classic.
Sadly, Maureen is down to only one Jack Russell Terrier now. SVF Possumbiltees or "Possum" is living the high life of hunting on the farm, stealing training treats, and being the number one house dog. Both Possum and Bug are often seen competing in agility, being handled by Dog Works students and instructors.
Maureen has also trained and judged horses in several disciplines, riding her own to multiple National Championships. Maureen grew up in Central Florida, attended college in North Carolina and Vaginia, and has lived with her husband, Lee, in Western North Carolina for 37 years. Her son, James, graduated from UNC-Charlotte and her daughter, Maren, from Appalachian State University. Lee is an accomplished tennis player, while Maureen pursues photography as an outside interest. In 2002 Maureen started raising rare breed chickens as well as Border Liecester wool sheep.
DOG WORKS, 200 SMYRE ROAD, ZIRCONIA, NC 28790 (828) 693-1070 |