HOOD RIVER — “It’s quite the overwhelming experience for humans and dogs [staying] in basically the middle of Times Square. That was an adventure for my two farm dogs turned middle of New York City dogs,” said Dana Reid, speaking about her experience at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Reid is co-owner of Cascade Pet Camp and owner and physical therapist at Thrive Kinematics.
She traveled to New York to compete in one of the largest dog shows in the country along with about 3,000 people, with her Swedish Vallhund dogs Aster and 2-year-old Whittaker, a mother and son duo. “It’s quite the spectacle!” Reid said. Dogs and owners are available for the public to talk to and meet through the day, which only one other show in the country still requires; but “the dogs handled it better than I did,” she said.
Aster, handled by Reid’s husband, Reid Ketcher, was awarded Best Opposite Sex which in this instance was the female “runner up” to the male winner. Whittaker received an Award of Merit, which Reid explained means “he’s a worthy dog but didn’t win.”
“So that was really special to have a [young] dog that I bred be awarded a ribbon at the biggest show in the country,” she said.
Reid will be showing her dogs again in Colorado in September, and qualified for the Crufts dog show in England next March.
“Part of what got me into dog sports was just wanting to have a better-behaved dog,” said Reid. She was introduced to it by Shannen Fogarty, who owns Cascade Pet Camp with her. Reid and Fogarty incorporate their competition experience into their business. “I had a dog who was really stressed out, and she needed something to get that anxiety out. Now a decade later I’m competing in it. [It’s been a] journey of trying to make my own dogs’ lives better and then finding a passion for learning new things and learning things with my dogs.”
To see updates on Reid’s work in shows and at the dog and cat facilities, visit www.cascadepetcamp.com.
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