by Heather Kolesa | Jul 15, 2021
Tina started doing agility when she realized her Welsh Terrier, Caru, needed an outlet for her nonstop energy. She was out for a drive and stopped at a trial to see what it was about and she was hooked. She started training at HOA in 2012. Caru has been a very willing and fun teammate and Tina credits agility for enabling them to build a deep connection.
Tina started instructing at the Beginner’s level and has recently decided to try her hand with instructing Agile Kindergarten. She really enjoys watching teams master new skills and is fascinated by the role of play and fun in training.
In her spare time, she also enjoys sailing, hiking and almost anything outdoors.
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by Heather Kolesa | Jul 15, 2021
Debbie Lazaro has been training dogs since 1993. She first began showing in obedience and then started agility in 1997. She also participates in herding, Schutzhund and barn hunt, and runs the rescue group, ECHO (East Coast Herding Dog Rescue). Debbie has been known to work successfully with many difficult and reactive dogs, enabling the teams to reach their potential. She takes a behavioral and relationship approach to all her training. Debbie stresses the importance of foundation training, training in drive, finding what motivates each particular dog, finding the most efficient path, as well as focusing on details while still maintaining fun for both handler and dog. Her handling system incorporates traditional, motion based handling as well as the One Mind handling system. Debbie has attended UKI Nationals, several AKC National events (both agility & obedience) as well as numerous USDAA Nationals (Cynosport) where her dogs have made it to semi finals, finals and/or placed in the top 10 of their class. Her dogs have also made the podium at several USDAA Regional events, with numerous placements throughout the years. Her dogs have achieved many advanced titles, including MACH, AdCH, OtCH, UDX, NATCH.
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by Heather Kolesa | Jul 15, 2021
While Pat Foley started her animal career with horses, she has been involved with dogs and dog sports for nearly 50 years. She has extensive experience in Conformation and Obedience handling, in breeding, grooming and in rescue work. She has served as a Sweepstakes Conformation judge for numerous breeds. She is a Founding Member of Greater Philadelphia Dog Fanciers and the Delaware Valley Samoyed Club, having served both organizations in various capacities including Presidency and Board membership. She has worked as a vet tech. She is an expert groomer, having once taught a symposium for the National Dog Grooming Association. She has lived with a variety of dog breeds, including Samoyed, Pomeranian, French Bull Dog, Lhasa Apso, Irish Terrier, Beagle, Border Collie and American Cocker Spaniel. She teaches both Obedience and Conformation Show Handling classes in NJ and PA. Her educational goal is to empower people to learn to communicate clearly with their dogs and to understand “dog speak,” or what their dogs are saying.
by Heather Kolesa | Sep 3, 2024
Dina Melendez fell into agility with her Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers in 2006 and was captivated with training her dogs in dog sports. Besides agility, her dogs have competed in barn hunt, scent work, tricks, rally and FAST CAT. Her first dogs, Boone and Raphael appeared in the Emmy award-winning movie "The Normal Heart" staring Julia Roberts and Mark Ruffalo which was where her love for teaching “tricks” expanded.
Dina's agility partners included MACH3 PACH "Boone", a 6-time AKC Invitational qualifier, multiple AKC Nationals qualifier and number #1 ranked SCWT 2015 & 2016, "Raphael", OA, OAJ, RATI, RATN and MACH PACH2 “Vida” who is Dina’s most titled and versatile SCWT. At 2 years of age, Vida placed 4th overall in her first NW1, placing 3rd in Exteriors and was invited to her first of several AKC Agility Invitationals finishing as the Top SCWT at Invitationals in 2022 as the #1 Preferred SCWT. Also a multiple AKC National Qualifier, Vida was the first SCWT to attend, qualify and place, in her class, at the Westminster National Championship. Vida also has multiple titles in Barn Hunt and AKC Scent Work, as well as Tricks Titles and is currently enjoying retirement competing in Rally. Dina’s newest partner is a Lakeland Terrier, Andele! and shows promise to be a multifaceted sport dog, who is currently titled in agility, barn hunt, scent work, tricks and FAST CAT.
Dina’s classes focus on solid foundations on all pieces of agility equipment, adding in handling, plus concepts and behaviors in incremental steps. Dina strives to instill confidence in her students as they learn the tools needed to perform the necessary fundamentals. Along the way, they also develop appropriate habits. Dina's many years of teaching these behaviors helps the handler understand the aspects of positive reinforcement and behavior generalization, all while having fun!
