Cathy's love for dogs began at 8 years old with her family German Shepherd named Duke. He was her best friend and she was allowed to go out on walks in the woods as long as he came with her - an HDD dogwalker in the making!

When Cathy is not out on the trail spending quality time with the HDD dogs, she works at the Assistance Dog Institute, a non-profit organization that, as a college, offers Associate and Master of Science degrees in Assistance Dog Education and Human-Canine Life Sciences, and as a facility, breeds and places assistance dogs with people with disabilities. Her role there is the Dean of Students. Please visit www.assistancedog.org to learn more about the programs offered there.

Cathy's personal and professional goal is to become an ever-more diligent "dog whisperer", to be more in tune with the canine viewpoint in order to serve, make safe and ensure a fun time on the trail with all the wonderful HDD dogs!