Spirit Ridge Brags

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In Memorium
"KOUKLA" (1998-2011)

A Tribute to Koukla's life

"TEQUILA" (2005-2011)

"KOAL" (Sept 1995-May 2008)

Spirit Ridge K9 Training & Rescue

PO Box 70,
Hillsburgh, Ontario, N0B 1Z0

E-mail: jim@spiritridge.net

"........ because sit happens"

SPIRIT RIDGE 'BRAGS' (Cont'd)

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OWN 'SONIC BOOM'
In the context of a Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) sanctioned Rally Obedience Trial on the weekend of June 5-7, 2009 in London Ontario, our own dog N' Sonic Boom Van Arek, earned his CKC Rally Novice title managing to also come in first place amongst 12 entered dogs in his first run. On the fourth run, he moved up to the Rally Advanced category (which is all off leash) and achieved a qualifying run (three are needed to earn a title) while coming in second place! All this was without any training at the advanced level!

At the same time, Sonic Boom also earned his CKC Herding Instinct Certificate (HIC) on Thursday June 4th, 2009 in IngersolL Ontario.

Following up on those successes, on July 7, 2009, Sonic went on to qualify two more times (with one 1st place and one 2nd place finish) at the CKC sanctioned Rally Obedience trials in Blyth, Ontario and achieve his Advanced Rally Obedience title. Since he is still not even 1.5 years old, we expect a long competition career ahead of him while he simultaneously helps out by being Spirit Ridge's main demonstration dog in classes as well as helps rehabilitate dogs with behavioural issues.

N'Sonic Boom Van Arek with his Advanced Rally O title ribbons (July 2009)

CONGRATULATIONS TO SPIRIT RIDGE'S STUDENTS:
Brenda Z. of Orangeville, who trialed her Chesapeake Bay Retriever 'Ripley' on November 8, 2008 at the Rally Obedience trials hosted by Rat Pack in Georgetown Ontario and was awarded her Rally Obedience Advanced title! Not to be outdone and simply because the challenge was not big enough, Brenda also trialed her 1 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever 'Dixie' who also achieved her Rally Novice title on the same day! Both of Brenda's dogs achieved an average score of over 190/200 and have received their titles with distinction (MCL - Magna Cum Laude).

Lori T. of Erin, Ontario, who entered her rescued dog 'Dini' (Jack Russell Terrier cross) at the same trials and received his Rally Novice title! Lori and Dini's story is truly a remarkable one. So remarkable, that it appears on the Canadian Association of Rally Obedience (CARO) website in the 'brags' area. If you have a moment and wish to read this uplifting story, please click here. I would recommend reading it, although make sure you have a tissue on hand. It is a truly uplifting story and we, here at Spirit Ridge, and all her classmates are really proud of both of them!

Lori with Dini and his Rally Novice title rosette Brenda with Dixie and her Rally Novice title rosette

Joan R. of Georgetown, Ontario who entered her Collie 'Ryder' in the Rally Obedience Georgetown trials and received his Rally Novice title with distinction (MCL - average score over 190/200). Joan also qualified her Collie 'Indy' at the London Ontario Rally Obedience trial the week prior and achieved two qualifying scores (note: three are needed to be awarded a title) towards Indy's Rally Advanced title.

Joan with Indy (left) and Ryder (R) with their London                 Spirit Ridge trainer Jim Tsitanidis with Jesse (L)
Rally Obedience qualifying rosettes-Nov 2, 2008                             along with student Joan and her dog Ryder (R)

Linda M. of Georgetown, Ontario who entered her Border Collie 'Leaper' and received two qualifying scores at the November 2, 2008 London Ontario Rally Obedience trials and "finished" her dog with a successful entry at the Bowmanville rally Obedience trials on November 22nd!

Note: Joan R. intends to 'finish' her dog Indy and get her Rally Advanced title for Indy in the Spring of 2009. We wish them both good luck and have no doubt we will once again be 'bragging' about them in the Spring!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OWN SPIRIT RIDGE DOGS:
Spirit Ridge's 'Jesse' our 3 year old rescued Belgian Malinois who received her Rally Novice title with distinction (Magna Cum Laude - MCL- requires an average score of over 190/200) on November 8, 2008 at the Georgetown C.A.R.O. Rally Obedience trials.

Spirit Ridge trainer, Jim Tsitanidis, and Jesse with all three Spirit Ridge dogs' Rally Novice rosettes

Spirit Ridge's 'Zorro' our 9 year old Belgian Malinois who received his CARO Rally Novice title with distinction on November 8, 2008 at the Georgetown CARO Rally Obedience trials.

'N' Sonic Boom Van Arek our Belgian Malinois puppy who at the age of 8 months also received his Rally Novice title with distinction at the November 8, 2008 Georgetown Rally Obedience trials.

Both 'Jesse' and 'Sonic' (Boom) will be training for the Rally Advanced title trials over the winter in addition to their other regular duties of helping with Obedience and Agility Training. Our senior dog 'Zorro' will retire from the trial ring and continue to be our number one assistant when it comes to both teaching group obedience classes as well as helping rehabilitate clients' dominant and aggressive dogs.

The Spirit Ridge gang cleans up at the Nov 2, 2008 Rally Obedience trials
(from left, Lori & Dini, Brenda, Jim & Jesse, Joan and Ryder, Linda & Leaper)

CONGRATULATIONS TO SPIRIT RIDGE'S STUDENTS:
Brenda Z. of Orangeville with her dog 'Ripley' and Joan R. of Georgetown with her dog 'Indy' for titling in the Rally-Obedience ( C.A.R.O. ) trials held in Georgetown, Ontario on November 10, 2007! 'Ripley' accomplished a first place finish and achieved a tie in 'High in Trial' for the day. 'Indy' also achieved a third place finish. Way to go Ripley and Indy!

Left to right, Joan & Brenda with their dogs, Indy and Ripley

Congratulations Spirit Ridge's Koukla!
On June 30, 2007 our Koukla was certified for a second time to do therapy work through Therapeutic Paws of Canada. This re-certification was necessitated by the fact that we had moved from Toronto in 2005 and had not done therapy work with Koukla since then. Not to worry; our social butterfly passed all the test requirements with flying colours and is raring to start giving back to our new community.

At nine years of age, Koukla will resume her nursing home visits in an Orangeville area nursing home and will spread her usual good mood and joy to all residents that allow her into their hearts.

Below are select pictures from the certification process that took place in the Avalon retirement residence in Orangeville. Way to go Koukla!

                            Koukla being examined by an                 Koukla being simultaneously 'rushed' by
                                    unfamiliar person                             several unfamiliar people - simulating
                                                                                            a crowding situation in a nursing home facility

CONGRATULATIONS TO 'Outlaw' & Tressa P. of Rockwood!
On November 17, 2007, our student Tressa P. and her awesome dog 'Outlaw' successfully completed the Therapeutic Paws of Canada test requirements and Outlaw became a certified Therapy Dog! This is a wonderful achievement for Tressa who came to us in February 2007 with a request to help Outlaw overcome his 'issues' of dog-on-dog aggression. Through careful training and exposure to other dogs plus work on Tressa's leadership skills, they were both able to breeze through the test certification requirements! Now they are both looking forward to starting their visits to nursing homes to bring residents joy & doggy love! Way to go Outlaw!