Don Brown

• Our Faithful Founder

With his dogs: Oscar, Skeeter, and Rolex

Don Brown is the Founder of The Academy of Dog Training and Agility. With more than 25 years of experience training, showing and breeding dogs, he is well versed in the necessary components for dogs to be positive members of their communities. Don started out in confirmation, owner handling his English Pointers to their championships.
     Don has trained in obedience with Susan Strickland, Carolyn Price, West Chester Obedience Club and with Pam Helmer of the Talbot Kennel Club. He has taught for the West Chester Obedience Club and the Wilmington Kennel Club. He has put obedience titles on two of his standard poodles. He trains in agility with Linda Snyer of the Talbot Kennel Club. At the present time he is running "Ross", standard poodle, in agility.
     It was while training at Talbot Kennel Club that Don became familiar with the clicker training positive method. We emphasize the word "positive". It makes training fun for you and your dog.
The following are the dogs and the titles Don put on them:

• Harmonie Buster Blanc Chein  -  CD
• CH Trelarken’s ‘Bout Time  -  CD
• CH Wedgewood Yankee Traveler
• CH Worthalls Worth The Chance
• CH Wedgewood Worth A Million
• CH Trelarken’s Time For Liberty

Anna Brown

• Our Other Faithful Founder

With Oscar, Skeeter, and Rolex

As her candle faded on earth today, the heavens just got brighter. My mother, Anna Brown, passed away today in exactly the manner that she would have wished--- falling asleep at home. She always got exactly what she wanted even in her passing. (This is bringing us all comfort.) There will be a celebration of her life at a later date with a private burial. She and my dad were married 57 years.

Carrie Eicher, CPDT-KA, CGC & ACT Evaluator

• Owner

• Instructor:

  • Beginners Obedience

  • Intermediate Agility

  • Puppy Head Start

• Swimming Paws

• Trainer

• Email: carrie@academyofdogtraining.com

With her Doberman Pinscher, Anya
Her German Shepherd, Trinity
Her Siberian Husky, Sadona
Belgian Malinois, Hans

John Hadfield

• Instructor:

  • Beginner Rally

  • Intermediate Rally

  • Puppy Head Start

  • Dog Tricks One Classes on Sundays

• Trainer

• John is a former circus performer and has worked with large and exotic animals. He is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy Professional Dog Trainer Program.

With his Akita, Reggie

Sandy Issler

• Instructor:

  • Basic Manners

  • Puppy Head Start

  • Focus on Therapy Dog

• Trainer

• Sandy has experience training and competing dressage horses and dogs. She is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy Professional Dog Trainer Program.

With her Golden Retriever, Rosie

Cheryl Ulissi

• Instructor:

  • Pre-Beginners and Beginners Agility

• Trainer

• Organizer Extraordinar

With her Chihuahua, Choo Choo

Her Miniature Poodle, Zeek

Her Powder Puff Chinese Crested, Buddy

Her Whippet, Hawkeye

Angie Greenway

•  Instructor:

• Beginners/Basic Manners/Obedience

• Puppy Head Start

• Focus on Trick

• Trainer

Angie Greenway is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Professional Animal Training Program (KPA-CTP), and an AKC Evaluator for CGC and Tricks. She is also a member of the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants), and is a professional service dog trainer for a non profit organization in the Philadelphia area.

Angie has competed and titled in USBCHA (United States Border Collie Association) sheep dog trials all over the country with her border collies. In addition to Herding, she also enjoys Agility, Rally Obedience, FreeStyle, and Trick Dog Training with her dogs.

She currently resides with 4 border collies (Ben, Liz, Moss, and Kassie) and a Shih Tzu (Sammy). The Border Collies keep her active

Laurel Pearson

•  Instructor:

• Beginners/Basic Manners/Obedience

• Puppy Head Start

• Trainer

Laurel is a KPA certified instructor with years of experience. She teaches Manners classes and Puppy classes.

She has extra certification’s for Canine fitness. She has participated in the sport of agility for over 15 years.

Pictured here with her three border collies: Morgan, Maverick, and Gemma.

Mary Rimmer, KPA-CTP

•  Instructor:

• Manners

• Puppy Head Start

• Focus on Fun and Games

• Trainer

Coming Soon!

Janine Britton

•  Instructor:

  • Handling & Conformation

Janine Britton, a seasoned expert in the world of canine conformation, brings a wealth of experience and passion to her Show Handling classes, making her a sought-after instructor for dog owners looking to excel in the show ring. With a background in equitation and Hunter/Jumper from her youth, Janine’s transition to showing dogs began in college under the guidance of Judith Britton at Seapsell Whippets, where she played a pivotal role in finishing many champions.

Her dedication to mastering the art of show handling led her to attend prestigious seminars with notable trainers such as George Alston and Ross C. Chandless from The Winslow Way, earning her the title of best handler at the conclusion of each seminar. Janine’s expertise is not just limited to whippets; she has successfully handled a borzoi and a dalmatian, leading them all to their championships as an owner/handler.

One of Janine’s most notable achievements includes handling her whippet, Rio, to a #1 ranking in the UKC in 2015, and maintaining a top 10 position in the AKC National Owner Handler Series in both 2015 and 2016. Rio also achieved his AKC Bronze Grand Champion status under her expert handling. Their remarkable journey culminated at the Whippet National Specialty in April 2018, where they received an Award of Merit among an entry of approximately 530 whippets.

The legacy continued with Rio’s granddaughter, Nero, who under Janine’s guidance, clinched Specialty Best In Show at the Eastern Whippet Specialty, Old Dominion KC dog show in April 2021, judged by Mr. Michael Canalizo, and excelled further in the Owner Handler hound group win and ended with Owner Handler Best In Show!

Together with her husband, Dustin, Janine has been breeding whippets for over 25 years. They currently cherish living with four generations of their meticulously bred whippets at home, where these champions enjoy a loving and pampered life.

Janine’s classes offer not just novice training but a deep dive into the world of dog handling, providing her students with the skills needed to succeed in competitive show environments. Join her to transform your show handling skills and share in the legacy of excellence Janine Britton has built with dedication and love for the sport.

Lauren Blackson

• Owner and Veterinarian at Peak Performance Canine Rehabilitation - Click Here to Learn More!

  • kppeakperformance@gmail.com

  • (856) 362-4405

• Trainer

With her Border Collies: Karma & April

Lauren Blackson began competing in AKC and USDAA agility with her Border Collie, April, in 2004 when she was just 13 years old. Over the years April and Lauren have successfully made it into the Excellent level in AKC, and the Masters level in USDAA.  In March of 2008, Lauren and April attended their first AKC Nationals in Tulsa, OK and finished 67 out of 220 dogs in the height class.  In September of 2008 April achieved her ADCH (Agility Dog Champion) Title in USDAA, followed by a MACH (Masters Agility Champion) Title in AKC in November of 2008.  In March of 2009, Lauren and April attended the AKC Nationals for a second time, this time in Concord, North Carolina where they finished 27 out 251 dogs in their height class.  In November 2009, they attended the USDAA Cynosport World Games in Scottsdale, AZ and successfully made it into the Semi-finals of Grand Prix.  In addition to her training with the Academy, she has also attended seminars and taken private lessons with some of the top agility competitors on the East Coast including Chris Halling, Barb and Roseanne Demascio, Sandi Daniels, and Darlene Paul.  She thoroughly enjoys training, and loves to pass on her knowledge to up and coming agility handlers.  Lauren recently added a new border collie, Karma, to the family, and is hoping that one day she will have just as much success in agility as her big sister April.  When Lauren isn't working with her dogs, she is busy studying as a Pre-vet student at the University of Delaware.

Dustin Britton

• Information Technology Consultant

• Webmaster

With Rio, Monkey Boy!

Martin Steinberg

• Swimming Paws Assistant Instructor

• Pool Designer

With Jordan, the Princess

Morris and Beth Bilson

• Special Project Managers

• We could not keep things together without the expertise of these two amazing humans and one amazing basset hound! They are an invaluable source of engineering knowledge and make, to order, signature “clicker board”, “clicker sticks”, and "Spin the Bottle" enrichment.

With Hank, the Bassett Hound