Mahogany Ridge Dog Training and Daycare: Who is Who

Who's Who


Laura Clute Laura's love for dogs began with the Great Dane named Cassandra that her parents for her as a child. That was it for Laura -"she had gone to dogs!" Throughout the rest of her childhood, every dog she could convince her parents to rescue, she claimed as her own, Laura's home has been refuge to dogs waiting to be adopted. Laura owns Aunt Laura's Pet Sitting business in Wilton, offers training classes at Mahogany Ridge and can be reached by e-mail.	Picture by Helen Cath
She is currently training her dogs, Phred, Judith and Spice in both obedience and agility. Laura teaches the Volhard Motivational Method.

Sabine Compeyn Being an only child, Sabine has always had a dog as her companion. After she married, she switched to a cat, but two years later it was decided she needed to have a dog again. At the time she was living in Africa and adopted a mongrel named Zaria who returned with them to their home in Belgium (and later to the U.S.) where she lived happily until the age of 14.
Picture by Helen Cath	Another trip came up, to Asia this time, and she adopted a cat (no way could she have a dog in a high rise over there) but as soon as she came back, she adopted two rescue dogs - Pluto and Senji. This time, Sabine became interested in both dog training and nutrition. Senji, her challenging dog, has helped her go deeper in dog behavior and body language. Sabine participates yearly at Dog Training Camp/Instructor School, attends the annual Holistic Conference for a Healthy Dog and Advanced Holistic Study Groups (by the Volhards).
A mother of three (now adult) children, she has always loved activities with children. Theresa found a way to tap into several of Sabine's interests by inviting her to be an instructor at KidsCamp! Sabine lives in South Carolina and is looking forward to the drive up to New York to spend another full week with the kids and their dog-companions.

Irene S. Derreberry
As far back as she can remember, Irene has always loved animals. With endless patience and a good sense of humor, she set out to train every pet she has ever owned. At the age of nine she helped to train the family German Shepherd Dog in obedience, and was training her own horse.
In 1996, Irene became aware of Mahogany Ridge after adopting a new doberman/shep mix puppy, Sarah June, who was a real challenge. Sarah June (1996-2008) and Irene are pictured here. Irene liked the Motivational Method of training, so with Sarah June leading the way she decided to come to Mahogany Ridge to train her dog. There she met Theresa Richmond, who became her friend and mentor. Theresa helped her and Sarah June learn to work as a team, and later helped her to become an instructor.

Irene and Sarah June

Sarah June, CGC, O-NCC, O-NAC, S-NCC, went on to earn her CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certification, TDI (Therapy Dog International) certification and agility titles. She trained in obedience, agility and musical freestyle, along with Irene and Theresa's wonderful little corgi, Bonnie Sweet n Low, CGC, TDI (1999-2009). Bonnie also trained in Rally, which she loved.

Irene currently trains her dogs, Johnny B. Goode, a catahoula leopard dog, and her doberman, Gabriel Allon, in obedience, rally, agility and freestyle. Her dog, Valentine Sommers, CGC, TDI, a golden/chow mix, is a therapy dog and he has also completed a course in carting.

She attended the Volhard Instructors Camp in 2000 and 2002, along with other dog training and nutritional seminars and workshops throughout the years. She has attended several Adult Camps as well. Irene seeks to further her knowledge whenever possible and is an avid reader.

Irene is a typesetter/prepress specialist in the Graphic Services department at Newkirk Products, Inc., a publisher in Albany, but she also has an additional career, that of training people to train their dogs. Irene teaches the Volhard Motivational Method..

Cathy Keenan
Cathy Keenan first began competing in dog obedience when she was 10 years old with her Standard Poodle Missy. Since then she has put several obedience titles on multiple dogs including a UD. She has also dabbled in field work, herding and lure coursing. Her involvement in agility began in the early 90's at Volhard Training camp and Mahogany Ridge. Cathy's first agility dog was #2 in the country for non-sporting breeds. Her second dog was the #1 dog in the US for all breeds in Jumpers with Weaves.

Her current dogs have also been nationally ranked. Sailor a standard poodle and Flint a border collie are retired from agility. Flint has remained active in obedience and is adding Rally to his list of accomplishments. Currently she is running a rescued border collie aptly named Fidget. After a year off due to injury, Fidget is back working towards his USDAA ADCH and AKC Open titles. Her latest training challenge is a smooth coated border collie puppy named Blade.

Agility has really changed from the "early" days and to keep up with these changes Cathy continues to work with internationally known agility handlers (Susan Garrett, Linda Mecklenburg, Nancy Gyes, Monica Percival, Gregg Derrett to name a few). She believes in a positive attitude and a motivational approach for both people and their dogs. Cathy wants everyone to love agility as much as she and her boys do!

Sue Ann Lesser, DVM, CAC

Sue Ann Lesser, DVM was graduated with distinction from Cornell University in 1974 in animal science. She received her MS in Physiology from The Pennsylvania State University in 1976 and her DVM from Cornell University in 1980. The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association granted her Certification in Animal Chiropractic in 1991 and Advanced Certification in Animal Chiropractic in 1996. The Healing Oasis Wellness Clinic granted her Certification in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy in 2005 making one of the few practitioners that is certified by the two major animal chiropractic educational institutions. She is currently enrolled in the Healing Oasis/ Advanced Chiropractic Neurology Course. 2006 marks fifteen years as an exclusive animal chiropractic practitioner.

Dr. Lesser's practice extends from Connecticut to Maryland and is restricted to small animals. Her patients include the two past Westminster winners, the 2006 Agility Invitational winner in 8", and the #1 Working and Herding group winners at the 2006 Obedience Invitational's. She has had three patients on the World Agility Team. She is very proud of all of her "kids" whether famous or an unsung trusted and faithful companion.

Dr. Lesser competes with her Dobermans in Obedience, Rally and Freestyle and thus brings to her practice, the competitor's viewpoint as well as the practitioner's.

Bonnie Murphy
Bonnie has been involved in the dog world since she was a youngster. Her first dog was a Scottie named Dory. Growing up in a breed show home she was involved in Junior handling. About 10 years ago she got her first performance dog, a Lakeland Terrier named Tillie.

Tillie and Bonnie started their agility training at Mahogany Ridge in 1995 and this past fall became the first Lakeland Terrier to earn the AKC MACH (Master Agility Championship).

They also compete in obedience. Bonnie and her husband Bill live with a variety of breeds most of whom do some sort of canine sport. Link.

Bonnie and her two dogs
Picture by Helen Cath

Barbara Nagy
Barbara Nagy has over 20 years experience as a dog trainer and instructor. Her education includes, but is not limited to various seminars, apprentice work, self-study, training camps, and workshops. Barbara's career in dog training began in 1983 when a seven-week old Doberman Pinscher entered her life. Barbara named her Doberman, Patience. Barbara is the founder of Patience Unlimited Professional Dog Training which is a tribute to this extraordinary Doberman. Link to Web site. Barbara followed the teachings of the late Job Michael Evans (The Monks of New Skete) and continues to use many of his techniques. In 1987, Barbara attended the Volhard Motivational Method Dog Training Camp and Instructor School with Patience, and has been using the Volhard method ever since. Even though Barbara has many tools to draw from, she finds her students to be the most successful with the Volhard Motivational Method, but will draw from these other tools when needed.
	In 1994, a male Doberman Pinscher named Bronson entered Barbara's life. Bronson became Barbara's first obedience competition dog. Together, they received two AKC obedience titles before Bronson retired due to an injury. Bronson is Barbara's working partner in her pet training business, and frequently does television commercials, music videos, and print ads.
In 2001, Jetta came into Barbara and Bronson's lives. Jetta is now working with Barbara in her training business, in addition to doing therapy work and on the obedience show circuit. Barbara emphasizes educating the owner as well as the dog. She will show you how to make basic obedience training practical and fit into your everyday life. Barbara continuously attends seminars on behavior, nutrition, training and other dog related topics. Barbara is an evaluator for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, a charter member of The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), The Doberman Pinscher Club of America, The American Dog Owners Association, and The United Doberman Club.

James Richmond

James Richmond is Theresa's son born into the world of dogs in February 1992. He has attended KidsCamp! each year from the age of seven. He began his dog training education with the family Pug, Beamer.
After asking for his own dog for as long as he could remember, he received a Sheltie (Shetland Sheepdog) puppy from his parents as a total surprise in June of 2002. He has been training her ever since. Her name is Rose, she is very energetic and smart.
They have enjoyed and excelled in Obedience and Agility classes and have attended a Junior Showmanship Class. James' favorite thing to do with Rose is to take a long walk in the woods and participate in Agility classes.

He is pictured here with Rose at her first KidsCamp! the summer of 2002.
Follow the link to James latest achievements.

Theresa Richmond

Theresa's canine education consists of a multitude of seminars, training camps and self study. Theresa received her certification as an agility instructor by Julie Daniel's in 1997 and is a follower of the Hatfield/Mah approach to agility. She has attended behavioral seminars by Katherine Houpt at Cornell University as well as training seminars with the late Job Michael Evans. Theresa is currently on staff at Jack and Wendy Volhards' annual week long training school and remains Director of KidsCamp!, Blue Ribbon Camp! and AdultCamp! all held annually at Mahogany Ridge N. Y. Forever a student Theresa seeks any information to be gathered in respect to teaching both dogs and people.
In 1999 Theresa launched Kidscamp!, a weeklong day camp for kids and their dog companions. In 2006 it was apparent that kids were returning to camp so Blue Ribbon Camp! was launched offering dog training and skill building for KidsCamp! Alumni of 3 or more camps. June 2007 Theresa introduced a three-day AdultCamp! This camp was very successful and has continued as an annual fall event at Mahogany Ridge!
In September 2009 Theresa relocated her family to the state of Virginia. Watch for changes on our web site to include a Virginia link that will keep you privy to her new ventures!