She started showing dogs at the age of 12 as a junior handler and a member of the Onondaga Junior Kennel Club in Syracuse, NY. In her career, she has owned and shown numerous dogs to their championship as well as taught handling skills to adults and juniors. In 1997, Karen started training and competing in agility and helped her 10yr. old Golden Retriever, Teton, achieve his Agility Excellent in 2
004. Karen and younger Golden, Jackson, currently train and compete in agility. Jackson was recently invited to be on Good Morning America presenting one of their 3-word phrases, "We Don't Judge" on September 8, 2011. Look at the GMA website and click on Sept. 8 Live 3-Word Phrases. Karen's Pointer, Parker, is now semi-retired but has had a brilliant show career, showing at the prestegious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and reaching an all-systems ranking of #3 Pointer in the US in 2008 and early 2009. Parker is completely owner-handled. Karen worked at Paws "N Effect Training Center in Hamden, CT as Manager for the Paws for Play Canine Day Program as well as instructor for Breed Handling classes and as co-instructor for the Family Basics Obedience classes from 2005- 2011. Many of her students (human and canine) have achieved titles, ribbons and wins after taking classes from Karen. Students have obtained International titles, finished Canine Good Citizen certification and completed Championships. Karen has studied dog training and handling with Ray and Ginger Scott, George Alston, Kathy Shea, CPDT, Cara MulQueen Teasdale, CPDT, Monique Plinck, and Melody Lynn. She studied dog behavior with Katherine A. Houpt, VMD, PhD, Diplomat, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists at Cornell University and with Brenda Aloff, professional dog trainer as well as Shelter Management with Wes Artope and Jane Koppelman. Karen is a member of the Pointer Associates of New England, American Pointer Club and Association of Pet Dog Trainers. In Western NY, Karen is a member of the Newfane Business Association and the Niagara County Chamber of Commerce.