Karen Reilly CPDT KSA, CNWI
Karen’s journey in dog training began with Steve Diller and his Center for Applied Animal Behavior and Canine Training and soon after working with Steve, she worked with SPCA shelter dogs and in 2002 created the Lead the Way program to help increase adoptions and provide enrichment and training to the dogs waiting to be adopted,
Karen also runs her own business, Paws for Obedience, and works to help dogs and their humans live together more harmoniously.
In 2003, Karen became an instructor at the Port Chester Obedience Training Club and then became the training director for the newly formed Family Manners Program. Karen updated the club's curriculum to focus on positive reinforcement and science-based training and saw the new division of classes flourish.
After reading an article in The Whole Dog Journal about K9 Nose Work in 2010, Karen was instrumental in having two of the founders of the sport come to PCOTC for a presentation. She was hooked immediately! Fourteen years later she is still intrigued and amazed at the dog's scenting ability and all they can teach us. She became one of the first Nose Work instructors at the Port Chester Obedience Training Club and then in 2011 was among the first East Coast certified Nose Work Instructors.
She enjoys sharing the delight of students as they get that ah-ha! moment when they realize the picture their dog is drawing with their nose as they solve the odor problem. She enjoys cheering her students on at trials as well as volunteering at trials.
Karen has been a professional member of APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers) since 2001. She has also attended many Clicker Expos to increase her knowledge of how dogs learn and how to train, as well as to fine tune her clicker skills.
Karen is looking forward to the new Alert K9 adventure with Ashlin Cooke, CNWI and Kathie Nurena, KPA, CNWI. There are so many wonderful adventures ahead!
Karen is owned by: Leo 16 yr old Wirehaired Pointer/Siberian Husky/Coonhound mix, CGC, R1, R2, ORT, NW1, NW2, NW3, Elite, L1C, L1I, L1V, LE, L2C, L2I, L2V.
Suka 11 yr old Siberian Husky, ORT, NW1, Nw2, Nw3, Elite Ch, L1C, L1V, L1I, L1E, L2C, L2V, L2I, L2E.
Miska 7 yr old Siberian Husky, CGC, ORT, NW1, NW2, NW3, L1I, L1V, L1E
Her dogs continue with their Nosework fun taking classes or trialing with the exception of Leo who has earned the honor of retirement.
Ashlin Cooke, CNWI
Ashlin’s first introduction to nose work was in 2011 with her Saint Bernard. Bo was recovering from shoulder surgery and Ashlin anticipated that his first class session would be purely to give Bo some desperately needed mental exercise. However, both quickly became avid and dedicated fans of this most engaging sport. Bo continued to trial until he passed away at 10 years old becoming the first Saint Bernard to achieve a Level 3 Title nationally. Ashlin has run her much loved Boxer, Hank, to finish Elite Champion before he retired. Currently, Sacha (Saint Bernard at Elite), Archie (Saint Bernard at NW3) and Birdie (Saint Bernard at NW2) are all enjoying their nose work journey.
In 2019 Ashlin began the two year-long process of becoming a certified nose work instructor of the National Association of Canine Scent Work. She was an instructor at Port Chester Obedience Training Club for 4 years and has continued to expand her knowledge by taking seminars, instructing at outside venues,, offering workshops, hosting, volunteering at trials and co-managing nose work events. She is now an official judge for NACSW Odor Recognition Tests. Ashlin finds nose work a tremendously inspiring sport for both dogs and their guardians. From the seniors and handicapped to the toy and giant breeds, all can participate and enjoy what comes most natural to them: to hunt. Benefits of nose work include increased confidence, independent problem solving and plenty of mental stimulation for both dog and handler. She is forever thankful that she could take that first step for Bo with Nose Work.
Ashlin is excited to be part of the most talented Alert K9 team of instructors and their long history together. She is looking forward to continuing working with dogs and their handlers.
Kathie Nurena CNWI, KPA-CTP
Kathie has loved animals all her life.
Through years of observation and education, Kathie has become interested in the bond and understanding that develops between a handler/canine team through training and playing together. Her introduction to scent work started at a workshop in 2010. It was clear her Maltese, Shorty, loved it. Kathie continued her education in Nose Work by attending camps, classes and workshops, and trialing when time allowed. In 2017, she participated in the Certified Nose Work Instructor training course, earning her CNWI.
Kathie believes all dogs and all handlers can improve their skills and their bond through training together. Helping teams partner and be successful is one of the reasons that Kathie has taken her passion for training with her own dogs, to helping others attain their training goals.
She has competed in agility, nose work and freestyle with her dogs. She knows great dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and is volunteer with Metropolitan Maltese Rescue and American Bouvier Rescue League. Kathie has completed Karen Pryor Academy’s Dog Training Professional course, and the Certified Nose Work Instructor Course. She is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
When she isn’t training and playing with dogs, she is a Family Physician, working in a Family Medicine Residency Training Program. She contributes her expertise to the Stamford Hospital Facility Dog program as the Medical Director. Kathie has merged her medical background and animal training interest to speak at conferences on the intersection of health and behavior with humans and animals. She has spoken at several national animal training conferences with a veterinary colleague as co-presenter. She has been a guest on podcasts for Michael Shikashio and for Animal Training Academy.
Kathie is honored to partner with Ashlin and Karen and to share NoseWork with more dogs and their people.