After retiring from her job as a Project Manager in 2011, Thea’s introduction to dog training began as a volunteer Puppy Raiser for Service Dogs of VA located in Charlottesville.  Thea’s K9 Nose Work journey began with River, a black English lab. River was released from the program at 2 1/2 years old due to reactivity.  Puppy raisers get first dibs, so River joined the family that already had two golden retrievers. She was a trained diabetic alert dog and once released she needed a new job. After trying therapy dog work and a brief stint in agility, K9 Nose Work fit the bill!  

River loves doing nose work and has ventured into the competition world working on her NW3 title. Because there were no nose work instructors in the immediate area, Thea decided to get certified to teach through the National Association of Canine Scent Work. As a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI), she has enjoyed introducing new teams to the sport and building a large community of K9 Nose Work enthusiasts who participate in classes locally. She has also hosted multiple official trials as well as mock trials, sniff & go fundraisers and clinics and workshops.

Thea has enjoyed watching teams as they learn the game and become proficient at locating hides in increasingly challenging environments, with many of her first students now moving from the entry levels to Elite and Summit.  After eight years of teaching, applying for the CO Training program was her next step. Thea is an NACSW CNWI, CO and Judge and looks forward to continuing to host and officiate in the future as well as provide training opportunities in Virgina and Florida, where she spends the winter with her husband and dogs.