After being dragged to dog shows on weekends with Mom I finally decided I wanted to try showing.  I was allowed to show my Mom's first show dog, CH Cha-Moi's Lady Brigantine, "Cassie" as a filler bitch, where she won Winner Bitch, Best of Winners, and Best of Opposite Sex under Miss Virginia Lyne at age seven at the Shoreline Dog Fanciers Association summer show.   After my first taste of showing (and winning) I was hooked!

 

I began working for Kim and Marty Griffith at the Mission Circuit shows over Memorial Day weekend when I was 10 and gradually went to more shows with him as more birthdays passed.  Kim and Marty taught me the basics of being a professional handler and more importantly about owning a show dog.  They showed me how to care for the dogs and the responsibilities that come with different breeds.  Marty taught me how to groom and trim Newfoundlands, Australian Cattle Dogs, Alaskan malamutes, and other various breeds.  Kim taught me how to control and handle dogs that outweigh me and those who do not.  I thank Kim and Marty for getting me hooked into the dog show world and showing that my love for the dogs is more important than any win.

 

During high school I decided I wanted to learn about terriers and sporting dogs.  I was Peter and Valerie Attkinson's assistant for three years and learned a termendous amount about presenting dogs to a judge.  While I was working for Peter and Valerie GSP BIS/BISS Ch. Kan-Point’s VJK Autumn Roses , "Carly"  (number 11 Owner-Handler Sporting dog of all time), BIS/BISS Ch. Kensbridge Karbon Kopy, "Bailey" (a "Mick" kid who was a top winning Kerry Blue Terrier in 2003 and 2004) and other top ranked show dogs.  Thank you Peter and Valerie for intoducing me to terriers and helping me make the "perfect picture" when presenting dogs to the judges.

 

After working for Peter and Valerie for a number of years, I left to work for Amy Rodriques and Adam Wilkerson.  There I learned to put the final touches on dogs and myself that make all the difference.  It was a good experience because I learned about the business of handling dogs.  While working for Amy I showed a dog in Best in Show for the first time, BIS/BISS Ch. Stagedoor Rock It Man, "Rock It" an English Setter.  I also won my first group with him.  Amy and Adam have become more than teachers, they have become friends who I can turn to in a time of need.  In addition, I learned how much I liked working with my sister.

 

After Amy moved to Michigan and participating in the AKC Summer Internship program I decided it was time to go out on my own with my sister as a partner.  While  handling dogs professionally I also finished my Bachlor's in Social Science and a Minor in Marketing in June 2007.

 

I started showing dogs when I was about seven years old, in the breed ring because I was too young to show in Juniors.  During this time I showed Chad at the Kennel of Beverly Hills show when it was at the LA Convention Center, where we won Winners Dog, Best of Winners, and Best of Opposite Sex.  We were so close to winning Best of Breed that day as well! 

 

At most of the shows I, along with Mom and Adrienne, would spend most of our time at Kim Griffiths set up.  I guess this could be considered my first experience with a handler. Even though I did not work for him, I helped out whenever I was able to. 

 

When I was about fourteen and just entering high school, I began to work for Amy Rodrigues.  Under her supervision, I learned how to effectively run a set up, make the best use of time and groom many different breeds of dogs. Most of these breeds consisted of sporting and terrier breeds including golden retirevers, smooths fox terriers and Brittany's.  The very first show I worked at was Cabrillo / Del Sur and it was pouring rain and I had to "do up" an Irish setter for the first time.  That was an unforgetable experience.  Amy and I had many memorable moment s together and she was very influential to me when it came to both dog shows and life. 

 

Before I worked with Amy I had rarelly been around top quality dogs.  During my time with her I groomed and worked with BIS/BISS Ch. Broxden's Best Dressed, "Tux" (the top winningest breeder, owner, handler smooth fox terrier of all time) and Ch. Teran's Impeachable Offense, "Monica" ( the top winning golden bitch in 2003 amd 2004).  I even handled Tux in a Best Handler's Assistant competition at Santa Barbara making it to the finals. 

 

During my last year working with Amy my beagle, CH Regal's Danny Boy,"Danny," was specialed.  He was the number 2 15" Beagle in 2005 and won the first Award of Merit at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship and Westminster Kennel Club.  Danny also won two Group 1's and I handled him in Best In Show while being campaigned with Amy.   My time with Amy ended when she moved to Michagin after almost four consective years of working for her. 

 

Currently I am a Sophmore at Mt. San Antonio College studying Kinesiology.  Studying Kinesiology has helped me apply my knowledge of the human body to the dog's body to help them move better, improve toplines, and fix kinks and cramps.  I also pole vault for the Track & Field team.  While attending school and pole vaulting I show our new client dogs on the weekends with Adrienne.

 

As many people know, Adrienne and I grew up breeding and showing Newfoundlands.  So far, I still enjoy showing my big, silly dogs the best, although sporting breeds give them a run for their money.