Kitty Gilbertson

Classes taught: Puppy Class

Breeds: Lhasa Apso and Tibetan Terrier     Meet Kitty's Dogs

Titles (showing highest in each area):
UAG1, RN and CGC

Biography: I've been a member of EOC since 2000. After taking my first class I was hooked! This was not surprising since my love affair with dogs started at an early age. These kind of training opportunities were not available to me growing up, so I love to encourage people to take advantage of everything that's available today for them and their dogs.

Training Philosophy: The purpose of the Puppy Class is to introduce the handler (you) to training your puppy. And to introduce the puppy to learning. My goal is to make it fun for everyone. This class is purely positive reinforcement. The idea is to create an environment where the puppies can be successful. We address basic behavioral issues privately before and after class sessions, but class time is for learning and fun!

Mimi Nicholson

Classes taught: Puppy through advanced; Rally; specialty classes including engagement, proofing, and Beyond the Basics. AKC certified tester for STAR puppy, all levels of CGC, FitDog, Trick Dog, and Farm Dog.

Breeds: Border Collies     Meet Mimi's Dogs

Titles (showing highest in each area):
AKC: UD, PUTD, all optional titling classes, RAE3, PT, CGCA, CGCU, FDC, TKI, FitDog, Conformation Championship pointed
UKC: UCDX, URO3, -U-GRCH
APDT: RO-3
IABCA: International Honors Championships to Platinum level
ICE: Honors championship, Rally-O level 3

Awards
EOC: Team Award, Rally Award, Achievement Award
UKC: Total Dog, reserve HIT

Club Service: past Secretary, past President, Mentoring Committee, Library Committee

Biography: Originally from St. Louis, MO with several stops before Evansville. I received my PhD in English from Purdue and for many years taught English composition, literature, and other subjects at the college level.  Had a state and federal grant for regional teacher training and development for the last 10 years before retirement.  Served on the Evansville-Vanderburgh County School Board for 24 years.  Was a Master Gardener until the weeds won.  Am now happily retired and spending time and money on my beloved border collies.

Training Philosophy: The secret ingredient of a great training relationship is seeing your dog as a partner and exercises as games that build a strong bond between the two of you. Whatever your objectives, casual to competition, they can be accomplished with positive training that creates engagement, mutual respect, and simply the joy of working together.

Doris Phillips

Classes taught: Rally Novice, Rally Intermediate, CGC

Breeds: All American     Meet Doris's Dog

Titles (showing highest in each area):
AKC: CD, RE
Certificates
AKC: CGC, FDC, TKN

Biography: I have pretty much had a dog my entire life. I was a member of EOC many years ago and earned a CD with my Newfoundland, Shasta. I came back to EOC when we adopted our current dog, Bryzzo. I feel that training and competing with my dog creates an even stronger bond between us and as an instructor I want to help others achieve this bond with their dog. I also enjoy being with people who love dogs as much as I do. Before coming back to EOC there were just not enough “dog people” in my life

Training Philosophy: I believe in positive training, but just like people, different dogs have different ways of learning and I want to help students find what works best for their dog.

Lynn Miller

Classes taught: Rally Novice, Rally Intermediate, CGC

Breed: All American   

Titles (showing highest in each area):
AKC: CD, RE, FDC, CGCA, TKI

Awards: Terry Blake Rally Novice A Award

Club Service: Club Secretary, Seminar Committee

Biography: Dogs have always been a huge part of our family. My husband, Kirk, and our two sons have welcomed many incredible dogs into our home including our funny and loyal boxer Blue, a sweet Yorkshire terrier named Indy, an energetic cockapoo named Bogey, as well as our beloved Aussiedoodle, Teddy Rrific. I began training my dog, Teddy, in AKC Rally and obedience a few years ago and love spending time with him while working on these fun and rewarding dog sports.

Training Philosophy: Positive and relationship based training with a focus on play along the way

Lauren Kincaid

Classes taught: Puppy Class, Rally Coaching, Intro to Rally O

Breed: Black Labrador Retrievers    

Titles (showing highest in each area):
AKC: Obedience: CD, RM, RAE(2), OAP, NJP, CGCU, TKA, THDA

Awards: 2013 EOC Good Sportsmanship Award, 2020 EOC Dorothy Lang "Teddy" Award

Biography: I have lived with a dog or dogs most of my life. The first dog I ever loved was an English Cocker Spaniel. Dandy was my grandparents’ dog. He was quite a character and was the proverbial dog who stole a string of sausages off the butcher’s counter and ran out of the shop with the butcher in hot pursuit. Then it was Border Collies, because, well that’s where I lived in Scotland before my expedition to the New World. I came here to marry my husband who says he really wanted my dog and I was just part of the package. That dog was Jason, my first black lab who came with me from Scotland. I learned a lot from this master. He was followed by Cree named for a river near my home in Scotland. He was my first E.O.C. trained dog. He was a world champion counter-surfer. Then came the twins, Shane and Brodie, littermates who came to me from very successful Labrador and Newfoundland breeders in Martinsville, IN who became really good friends. There are some good stories as to how I was lucky enough to have these two brothers. They started me in Rally and Obedience competition and also Therapy Dog visits with all the training and visits involved with that aspect of our lives. They were a hit wherever we went. Sadly, I lost Shane in 2022 and now Brodie is my sole doggy companion, demo dog and therapy dog.

Training Philosophy: Positive, patient training with respect and love at both ends of the leash.

Deborah Wade

Classes taught: Puppy, Beginner 1, Beginner 2, Rally Novice

Breeds: Poodles, Miniatures and Standards     Meet Deborah's Dogs

Titles (showing highest in each area):
AKC: CD, RE, CH, NAP, NAC, SWN, FCAT. Flyball Team Member
UKC: Obedience: U-CD
American Herding Dog Society: HCT-sheep
ATTS: TT

Awards: National Speciality Club Medallion for Agility, National Specialty Club Cup for Obedience

Club Service: member since 2000, past Club Secretary, Trial Secretary, Seminar Chairperson

Biography: Poodles were in my life before I was born. I trained my first poodle in obedience at 13 years of age through 4H, earning what was then a Grand Champion ribbon. During high school and college poodles were still part of my life, but not competitive training. I got back to training in the 90's when I started working with Rosie Baldwin. In order to start to compete, I found the Evansville Obedience Club. I am a CGC, STAR Puppy Evaluator, and AKC Fetch Judge. I am a past member of the Agility Club of Evansville. I have also been an active member of the Evansville Kennel Club as President, Vice President, Secretary, Seminar Chairperson, and Hospitality Chairperson for the Kentuckiana Cluster of Dog Shows.

Training Philosophy: Be positive, Be patient, Be consistent.