Build a Winning Herding Team!

Building a successful herding team that starts with a solid foundation is the core of Kathy's system. Paying attention to details, using her intuition and deep knowledge of dogs and people, her ability to see the whole picture and communicate in a way that handlers of all levels of experience can readily grasp is what Kathy brings to the herding field with her students.

Kathy's heartfelt devotion to teaching the skills and developing the teamwork that will create your success as competitors or shepherds is what you can expect at every lesson, clinic or camp.  Her students have dedicated themselves to learning and practicing, going on to achieve wins, titles and honors in all venues.

Collaborative partnership and positive learning is at the center of Kathy's coaching style, which suits handlers of all herding breeds who are seeking a better and more compassionate way to teach and handle their dogs. Relationship driven handling and training advice will be offered to each team...with heartfelt success and winning in mind!

Whether competing in herding trials or having a great dog to help you on your farm is your interest, Kathy can help you: 

• Create a winning partnership with your dog

• Focus on skill building for you and your dog

• Work on stockmanship and handling

• Build teamwork with your dog at the pen and in the shedding ring

• Learn to stay focused and calm during competition thru mental conditioning and preparation

• Whistle with clarity and modulation

• Coach you and your dog to be prepared for USBCHA trials,  AKC, AHBA and ASCA trials

  A Message from Kathy regarding her background and experience:

"I am an open USBCHA handler, starting with my first border collie who I raised, trained and handled myself from novice on up to Open, and who I qualified for the finals her 1st and 2nd year in open, in addition to her qualifying for the Midwest Regional championships and making it into the finals round. Oh, and she won three beautiful sterling silver belt buckles for me over her trial career! Dallas had to be retired from trialing at 8.5 due to illness, but she continued to help teach many beginner students at the farm. Sadly, I lost her last year at 13. She was a great teacher and friend who still inspires me every day. 

Currently (in 2009) I trial a 12 yr old Open dog, with about 25 pts this year, and a just turned 3 yr old Open (rescue) dog who has about 7 pts, with about 5 trials under her belt. I also have two Nursery dogs who are qualified for the 2009 Finals that I bred, raised, trained and handle myself.

I am self employed as a trainer, coach, teacher and mentor in herding, dog training, holistic animal behavior,  a life and business coach, as well as being an intuitive. Before border collies I trained and showed quarter horses, as well as bred and started thoroughbred race horses.  I am a devoted teacher, learner and student, with a life purpose of bringing more peace and compassion to our world. I have worked with top experts in the fields of herding, animal behavior, horse training, coaching, teaching, human-animal relationship, spiritual enlightenment, personal growth, mind-body connection and more. I continue to attend workshops and herding clinics with a chosen few top international experts...learning and evolving each year. I am a certified Telllington TTouch practitioner and employ that method and philosophy into all of my work with animals.

I would be honored and pleased to coach you and your dog to an amazing team!"

Private Lessons

Private lessons are customized to meet the needs of you and your dog. Private lessons are available as individual 30 or 60 minute lessons; or as 30 or 60 minute 4 week courses.

Clinics and Camps

There are weekend Herding Clinics and Camps scheduled throughout the year at Dancing Hearts in Manhattan, IL and at other midwest locations. Herding Clinics and Sheep Dog Camps are wonderful for staying on track with your herding education, and you are sure to find one or more that fits both your schedule and your focus of learning.

Schedule a private lesson with Kathy for insight and advice that will help build Your winning herding team!