Jack has owned Cairn Terriers for over 40 years. “As a kid, my family always had a dog of one type or another. The dogs always found us and stayed”. “As an adult, I saw a Cairn pup in a pet store. I then checked out a few breeders and bought the first of a long string of Cairns.” Within a year or so, Jack joined the Albany (NY) Obedience Club, and soon earned CDs on two Cairns. Jack was then invited to be an assistant instructor at the Club. He became a full Instructor and taught for over 30 years and is now a Life Member.
In 1995, a breeder friend placed a two-year-old Cairn with him. The dog had had two failed placements. At first, Jack tried working him in Obedience classes, with minimal results. The Training Director suggested that he might try Agility with this dog. “What’s that?” I asked. I then went off to an Intro to Agility Seminar. The Dog, Happicairn Sherman Too, went off to become the first Cairn to earn the MACH Title! Back in Obedience, he then earned a CD, and a CDX. He also became a Therapy Dog, as did Stewie, another of my Cairns. The two of them enjoyed going to Nursing Homes and performing their repertoire of tricks.”
In September of 2004, Jack passed the Judge’s Seminar in Raleigh, NC. “I enjoy judging around the Country, meeting exhibitors, and seeing some really great runs from the best seat in the House.”
Jack currently serves as Delegate for the Washington State Obedience Training Club. As such, he serves as Secretary to the Companion Events Committee. He has also served as Show Chair for two All-Breed Clubs, and Trial Chair for an Obedience Club. He has held a number of Board positions over the years in these Clubs. As a Licensed New York State Social Worker, Jack worked for many years in the Behavioral Health field, most recently serving for 20 years as the Mental Health Commissioner in an upstate New York County.
“I am really looking forward to February, and hope that all of the Teams have great, fun runs and a most enjoyable and memorable time”.
