WAGS Canine Training University Instructors

Carol Wolfe Conformation Instructor Obedience Instructor American Red Cross Certified Pet First Aid Instructor       Volunteering at the ASPCA in Virginia Beach sparked Carol's interest in canine development. For 12 years carol has been breeding and showing Cane Corsos and more recently Bolognese. As a breeder, owner, handler Carol has titled 4 different dogs in two different breeds. Also, owning and handling Scandifio's Hammer di Vintage, a four time International Champion. Carol has one of the first Cane Corso Certified Therapy Dogs. Carols true passion is puppy development, instructing puppy classes for the past 6 Years years. Carol consistently attends furthering education seminars, is a member APDT and NAPPS, past 4-H advisor, is a certified Pet Fist Aid Instructor through the American Red Cross, Mentor/Trainer for the Animal Behavior College and CGC Evaluator.	Terri Downard CGC/TDI Instructor Manners & More American Red Cross Certified Pet First Aid Instructor       Terri has instructed over 200 students to successful CGC certification. Terri started in the canine world assiting her husband training their champion dogs in conformation and coonhound field trials. Currently Terri's family consists of 3 Great Danes and Cairn Terrier. The family participates in children education programs and therapy dog visits.
Sherry Augustine Advanced Obedience Instructor & Hunting-Beginning Retrievers       Sherry has earned CDX titles on three different dogs (two flat-coats and a mixed breed) and have trained another dog through Utility. Sherry has put AKC breed championships on three Flat-coated Retrievers and have earned a JH. She has attended numerous seminars relating to obedience training, retriever field training and dog behavior which include speakers such as Suzanne Clothier, Terri Arnold, Chris Bach and Jean Donaldson. Sherry has taught obedience classes since 1997. I've bred and raised six litters of flat-coated retrievers and currently have three generations of my dogs in training.	Harry Ellis Advanced Obedience Instructor & Hunting-Beginning Retrievers       Harry has been training dogs for over 20 years. He has earned Utility Dog titles on both of his black labs. He and his current black lab, J.J. are TDI certified. Harry has earned a Junior Hunter with J.J and has attended numerous canine training seminars conducted by some the nations top obedience trainers including Jane Jackson, Fred Hulme, Terri Arnold, Mike and Linda McDonald and Adele Yunck. He is currently training his flat-coat, Tempe and has earned a Companion Dog and Rally Advanced obedience title.
Stacy Allen CGC Instructor Puppy Pre School FUNdamentals Instructor      Stacy, the leader of her pack consisting of, Thor (CGC,TDI), Emma (CGC, TDI), Pugsley (CGC, TDI), Payton (CGC,TDI),Pixie(CGC,TDI, Pierce(CGC,TDI), Paco(CGC,TDI),Polly and Preston found her love of dogs started with a little pug snort. Stacy has assisted to pass more than 200 dogs and handlers through the Canine Good Citizen program, and prepare for their TDI certification. Her compassion, positive training methods and all around fun attitude will make you learn and laugh during your classes. She loves to teach but what she truly loves is sharing the joy of dogs with others, through therapy.	Dana Ash Assistant Instructor Fundamentals, Manners & More and CGC       Dana has been training her own dogs for 45 years. Danas 2 Newfies (Bear & Cody, 8 yrs old) received their CGC & TDI certifications are members of the therapy dog program and JP (Papillion, 3 yrs. old)is in agility @ WAGS and doing well. Dana is now busy training 5 month old Newfloundland puppy. "Gator" with hopes to someday be a therapy dog and trying his paw at agility
Carol Angello Assitant Obedience Instructor       As a child Carol worked along side her parents raising and showing chihuahuas and was a child handler in puppy trials. Raising 5 children and working as a nurse at Aultman Hospital Carol has found time to work her dogs in Agility and has CGC and Delta Certified her pup Babe. Carol also assists with the Aultman Hospital Happy Trails Program.	Lynnete Wright Obedience Instructor - CPDTr       Lynnete is a social worker who loves human and dog behavior! She believes the keys to training your dog are: positive reinforcement, management, forming a relationship based on trust, and FUN! Lynnete is active with G.R.I.N., Golden Retrievers in Need rescue, as well as the Stark County Humane Society where she volunteers her time to train the dogs at the shelter. She established a reading program at her local library with her certified therapy dogs, where the children come and read to them. She currently has two Golden boys: Logan, CGC, THD, TDIAOV, & Major, CGC, TDI. Lynnete’s certifications include: CPDT-KA, AKC CGC & STAR Puppy Evaluator, TDI evaluator, as well as a professional member of APDT. Lynnete enjoys learning all she can to make her classes fun and educational. She and Major ‘play’ agility.

Sharon Muller Head Agility Instructor       Sharon is the Director of Agility at W.A.G.S K9 University. Sharon's knowledge comes from a background in competition, and instructing in the Sport of Agility since 1992. She has championed her two current Belgian Malinois Holiday and Passion in breed, has worked them in Herding, Obedience, Rally, and currently competes in the upper levels of Agility both locally and in the surrounding states in various Agility Associations and has placed in competition at the National level. She has attended seminars with some of the country's top Agility handlers, both in the United States and Canada, and continues to do so passing those skills on to both the instructors, and students of W.A.G.S.	Kathy Darmstadt Instructor       I began taking agility classes from Sharon when she had her school in Canton. I started, as most people do, as a way to have fun and build confidence in my 7 month old lab rescue, Bucky. I was hooked from the beginning and have been taking classes, going to seminars and competing ever since. Bucky is retired now, but between my mom and I we compete with our Vizsla's Asti, Seneca, Capri, Treska, and the up and coming Jimmi and Josh. Now 12 years later I am honored to be teaching agility at WAGS. I want to share my enthusiasm and of agility to the students at WAGS.
Therese McClain Instructor-CPDT       Therese is an agility instructor at WAGS and has been competing in agility for over a dozen years with her beloved pets, most of whom are rescues. She also has been teaching agility and pet obedience for over 10 years. She keeps up to date by attending training and agility seminars and is a strong proponent of positive training techniques. Her dogs have earned GCG's, TDI's, CD's, and AKC Excellent and Masters tittles in agility. Therese's certifications include: AKC CGC and STAR PUPPY Evaluator. She is currently competing with her 8yr old rescue Beagle, Mikie and her 3 year old rescue Sheltie, Pip.	Connie Hofer Instructor       Connie Hofer is owned by 6 Miniature American Eskimo Dogs. They are from 17 months to 12 years old. The pack has or is showing and participating in agility. Connie has been active in agility for 9 years training. Tashia, UKC Grand Champion and an AKC Champion, MACH 2, qualifying for Nationals twice and has been ranked as one of the top10 American Eskimo's in agility several times. Kit is a UKC Grand Champion and AKC Champion, an EXA JWW and Open Standard qualifying for Eukanuba twice. Anna, UKC Grand Champion and AKC Champion currently working on her MACH. Nadia, UKC Champion and is working in EXB Preferred JWW and EXA Perferred Standard. Conan,UKC and AKC Champion, earning his PAX in August 2009. Chance only needs 2 points to finish his AKC Championship. Connie strives to teach her student the importance of positive reinforcement and to be fun.
Kathy Vretas Open Agility Proctor Kathy Vretas lives in Lake Cable with husband, Jamie and 4 year old wire fox terrier, Lacey. I started Lacey in puppy classes at WAGS in 2006. I soon discovered her love for agility, and we have been training at WAGS ever since. We have been competing in CPE trials locally for the last 2 years.	Marleen Lehman Advanced Agility Local resident of Green, Ohio, Marleen has been teaching advanced agility for the past six years. Marleen’s family member Motzie has been the #1 Standard Schnauzer in AKC since 2005. Marleen and Motzie have competed in the AKC Agility Invitational in Long Beach the past 5 Years, and now in Orlando in 2011. They have competed at the AKC National Agility Trial the past 5 Years always finishing in the top 15% of 200 or more dogs. They have just achieved their 10th MACH (Master Agility Champion), becoming the first dog in the working class in AKC history to ever earn 10 MACH’s. In 2009 Motzie was also named the top agility dog from the Working Class by “Front and Finish”. They also have their MXF (Master Fast Agility title). In 2011, Marleen also achieved her 1st MACH on Gus, her young male Standard Schnauzer.

Carol Wolfe Conformation Instructor Obedience Instructor American Red Cross Certified Pet First Aid Instructor       Volunteering at the ASPCA in Virginia Beach sparked Carol's interest in canine development. For 12 years carol has been breeding and showing Cane Corsos and more recently Bolognese. As a breeder, owner, handler Carol has titled 4 different dogs in two different breeds. Also, owning and handling Scandifio's Hammer di Vintage, a four time International Champion. Carol has one of the first Cane Corso Certified Therapy Dogs. Carols true passion is puppy development, instructing puppy classes for the past 6 Years years. Carol consistently attends furthering education seminars, is a member APDT and NAPPS, past 4-H advisor, is a certified Pet Fist Aid Instructor through the American Red Cross, Mentor/Trainer for the Animal Behavior College and CGC Evaluator.	Sherry Augustine Conformation Instructor       Sherry has earned CDX titles on three different dogs (two flat-coats and a mixed breed) and have trained another dog through Utility. Sherry has put AKC breed championships on three Flat-coated Retrievers and have earned a JH. She has attended numerous seminars relating to obedience training, retriever field training and dog behavior which include speakers such as Suzanne Clothier, Terri Arnold, Chris Bach and Jean Donaldson. Sherry has taught obedience classes since 1997. I've bred and raised six litters of flat-coated retrievers and currently have three generations of my dogs in training.
Laura Owen Conformation Instructor       Laura has been involved with dogs and other animals since childhood. She has raised several varieties of exotic birds and has been very successful in raising show rabbits along with her dogs. Her first love in dogs is the sighthounds. She has chosen Basenjis and Whippets as her breeds and enjoys the different skills and challenges that each breed requires in the show ring. Laura attended a recent two day George Alston handling seminar and was awarded "Top Handler" of the seminar. Along with showing her dogs, she is accepting new client dogs.	Sharon and Jim Blackstock Conformation Instructors       Sharon and Jim Blackstock have both been showing their dogs since they retired from teaching college 5 years ago. Sharon's first show dog was an Australian Shepherd which she also titled him in Rally. She is currently showing their Papillon and one of their Beagles. Jim is specialing their Smooth Fox Terrier and showing their other Beagle. They have also shown other breeds for friends. Both Sharon and Jim have taken 4 seminars from handler George Alston as well as completing a certificate program, Canine Behavior and Training, with trainer and behaviorist Dr. Jim Akenhead through Youngstown State University. They have a registered therapy dog and make regular visits to area nursing homes. Sharon and Jim are currently working with a new Smooth puppy, eagerly preparing him for the show ring.

For class times see our Schedules page