Our Members

 

The Executive Board:

President: Lisa Clark

with Vala SchH3 AWD1 CGC B/HOT

My introduction to "dog training" came in the early 80's when my family was looking for some help with a rather dominant male Dobe. A couple of classes later I was hooked. In 1992, bored to death with AKC obedience, I contacted several local SchH clubs, joined one with my then 7 year old GSD, joined USA, and have never looked back. I am currently working my home bred female, Vala SchH3 AWD1 CGC.

 

 

VP: Marcia Cavan

with Navarre BH NAJ JJ

Marcia has been actively training and competing with multiple breeds of dogs since 1980 when she completed the requirements for an AKC Companion Dog (CD) title on her first Pharaoh Hound, Rohirrm's Kestrel. Kestrel was one of the first of her breed to achieve this obedience title. Since then Marcia has completed multiple obedience titles on 4 different Pharaoh Hounds along with a Whippet, a rescued mix breed and a German Shepherd Dog. Marcia and her Pharaoh Hound "Bristol" (Ch. Galadrial's Dream Weaver UD SC FCh CGC) became the first in her breed in AKC history to obtain a Utility Dog (UD) title. To this date Bristol is still the only Pharaoh Hound with a UD. Marcia also competed at the 2001 World Series of Dog Obedience with her rescued mixed breed, Jazzabelle, who went on to get her UKC CDX and multiple agility titles. Over the years Marcia has also competed and titled a number of dogs in many other areas of dog training including tracking, conformation, and has had multiple nationally ranked lure coursing dogs. Marcia currently is working with her 5 year old working line German Shepherd Dog, Navarre BH NAJ JJ, and looks forward to many wonderful years competing with Navarre BH NAJ JJ in Schutzhund, AKC obedience and agility. Marcia and Navarre BH NAJ JJ also have fun with dock diving, skijoring in the winter and have even done some herding.

 

Treasurer, training and National level trial helper: Sean Murphy

And Varick

 

Secretary: Donna Trouten

with Varda OB1 TR1 CGC

Donna has been actively competing in many dog sports since the early 90's involving precision K-9 drill teams, AKC conformation and Obedience. She has received awards from the AKC for achieving Championships on homebred Basenjis, finishing
her first homebred Basenji at almost 7 months old. CH.MoonLyte's Ima Teenage Witch was the youngest Basenji at that time to take AOM at Westminster Kennel Club. All were breeder/Owner/Handled. Since then she has finished championships on other breeds and dogs. Donna became tired of the same routine with AKC, but enjoyed the training and time with her dogs, so she looked for a sport where the dog and handler could really work as a team. And that's how SchH was introduced into her world. Donna is currently training a young female GSD, Varda BH TR1 CGC, and her new young male GSD, Drigon..

Full Members:

Stephanie Sevelis

with Aragorn SchH3 IPO3 HOT

Stephanie started out by titling a mixed breed and then a border collie in agility and obedience. With her love of the working line border collie, she decided to try training a German Shepherd Dog in Schutzhund. Aragorn SchH3 IPO3 is her first Schutzhund. Stephanie is also working her young female GSD Ceridwen, aka Cuddlebear.

Fred Willey/Helper in training

With his dog Kane BH

Alysia Mefford

With Varen

I entered into the world of Schutzhund around 2004 and since then it has developed into my addiction. I work a 5 year old female German Shepherd named Kado. To add to my family, I acquired a young male German Shepherd named Varen in September 2008. Kado has her SchH3, TR 2 and her OB 2. My favorite part of any week is training day. Working my dogs is my peace of mind. I am also grateful to find such a great club that I can call my own. I joined the South Michigan group in May 2008.

Al Johnson/Helper in training

and Banner BH

My last dog was already trained in Schutzhund. So I had some limited experience with the sport. She was the best behaved and the best trained dog I have ever owned. I wanted to learn to train my next dog in this way. The main reason is obedience. In this phase the dog learns to behave like a good citizen. The handler learns how to properly control the dog in street situations or around other people and animals. The protection phase is not to teach the dog to bite, but to teach the dog when it is appropriate to bite and when not to bite. It also
builds the dog’s self confidence. Finally, although tracking is not my favorite part, it is part of the sport. It helps keep the dog multifaceted and is an important phase in titling the
dog. The dogs enjoy all three phases and love to work in them. I am working my young GSD, Banner BH.

Bill Hanna - training/club level helper

and Rogue BH

 

Mary Barrington

and Frans BH

 

 

Our Associate Members:

Steve Robinson

With Yo SchH3 FH2

Brandon Fracassi

with Louie

 

 

And Our Honorary Member:

Bill Szentmiklosi Jr.

Bill is the cofounder and past president of SMSPC. A USA/DPO judge and our most respected teacher.

Thank you Nate Harves for allowing us to use this photo