Let me introduce you to the dedicated TCOTC Volunteers who are responsible for setting up the Agility Courses in the Annex room each week.
It all starts with the Course Designer, Shari Vespestad. Shari, a TCOTC Agility Instructor and CPE Judge Apprentice volunteered to design a course each week that would provide appropriate and fresh challenges to TCOTC Agility Students. She works with software customized to the layout of our Annex room, and each piece of Agility Equipment.
“My goal in designing the set-up each week is to create a smaller skills section for work on particular handling challenges commonly seen on agility trial courses. These are a great tool for instructors to guide students towards increasing various skill-sets and options available to them. In the greater part of the room, the skill-work challenges are often seen in an actual course setting. I really enjoy the design piece and am always open for ideas for layouts!
Based upon Shari’s course design, the setup crew does the physical work of moving equipment and obstacles into place. It is hard work, but once it is complete the crew has the opportunity to walk the course, strategize, and even run the course with their dog.
Finals of Performance Speed Jumping at 2015 USDAA Nationals
Anitra Francis was one of the first members of the crew over 2 years ago. She trains at TCOTC in agility and competes in NADAC and UKI Agility with her Chug River. She is also very active member of a rescue organization Secondhand Hounds. “At any one time, I am working on agility with 3 or more of my rescue dogs. They all are at different levels. I appreciate the practice time after set-up to work on skills specific to each dog. I can’t do that during a class. It helps keep me fit and my dogs socialized.”
Ann McKasy trains at TCOTC and competes in AKC Agility with her Portuguese Water Dog, Winnie. “I learned quickly that Winnie and I would not progress in Agility through a one hour class each week. The Set-up Crew Volunteer position has given me a chance to learn more about agility and an opportunity to practice our skills outside of class while supporting TCOTC as a volunteer. After a career spent at a desk, it is refreshing to get out on a course and move stuff.”
Marlene Wexler trains her Standard Poodle Mya in Agility at TCOTC and competes in Luring. Marlene is a competitive Weight Lifter with several titles of her own. “The Set-up Crew gets a first peek at courses for the week and a chance to run them. I like the opportunity to chat with fellow Agility students outside of class. For me, it is also an additional weight training opportunity!”
Anitra, Marlene, and Ann celebrate 2 years of TCOTC Set-up!
Scott and Dorothy Bensen, from Hastings are the newest members of the team. They have two Australian Shepherds and one All-American. They all love Agility!
Dorothy and Scott Bensen
DO YOU LOVE AGILITY ?
We are looking for a few Volunteers to Join the Set-up Crew either as a Regular member or back-up.
Sunday Evenings at 7:45PM
Please contact Anne Bentley at anneecbc@comcast.net if you are interested!!