Our volunteers

I’ve always competed in handling and breed showing, and for a short time tried agility. I also enjoy training younger members for show handling competitions.

What do you do for work?

I work at the University of Birmingham managing the original historic listed buildings on Campus. Some of these buildings are over 100 years old and require a lot of work and looking after by the Estates team. 

What is your favourite activity?

I will always love show handling, but I also really enjoy watching agility and how all the handlers control their dogs. It’s certainly something I’d like to try again!

Have you competed at Crufts, if so what was your favourite part?

I was lucky enough to compete a few times at Crufts – my first being the South East’s final representative for the KCJO regional handling finals which was a big honour. I’ve also been incredibly lucky to judge at Crufts twice for the Young Kennel Club, both in 2019 and 2020 for the Crossbreed of the Year finals. My favourite part of both handling and judging at Crufts has to be stepping onto the green carpet – it gives me a buzz every time!

What do you do with your dog outside of your activity?

Freida my Field Spaniel is only a puppy at the moment, so we have been to puppy obedience training classes and passed our Good Citizen Dog Scheme puppy foundation course. We’ve also been going to ringcraft training, but also some training at home too. When we aren’t training, we enjoy walks in the woods and park, and also meeting up with her other canine friends – her best friend being an Italian Mastiff called Vito!

What is your favourite part about the Young Kennel Club?

The friends you make! I’ve made friends for life after meeting them at various Young Kennel Club events. We are all from various parts of the country so it’s tricky to always see each other, so we always make the most of being together for birthdays, special occasions and Crufts. It’s no secret that I met my wife through Young Kennel Club, so it will always be a special organisation to be a part of.

Have you volunteered for the Young Kennel Club, if yes what is your favourite part about volunteering?

I first volunteered in 2006 being one of the handling trainers at Young Kennel Club Camp at Melton Mowbray. The following year I took a part in the Outward Bound leadership course and then was asked to volunteer at Discover Dogs and Crufts. I was then asked to be a Team Leader at Young Kennel Club Camp, where I went on to win the overall Camp Team Champion three times. These are some of my favourite memories as they were so much fun to take part in – designing and winning the Young Kennel Club 25^th Anniversary Cake which was made into a real cake for Crufts, the numerous talent night dances, Mary Ray coming to train heelwork to music, line dancing, and my personal favourite – sports night!  

If you could offer any advice to someone wanting to join the Young Kennel Club what would you say?

Do it! You won’t regret it! There are so many things to do and try and the Young Kennel Club has access to all of the dog activities and brilliant trainers just waiting to help you. The training weekends are brilliant – you get to try activities which you normally wouldn’t do, and you may even find your dog has a hidden talent for them! You can also put these to the test by trying to qualify for Crufts too on the competition day. There are also activity specific training days too – I’m lucky enough to run a handling one before Crufts which also features a qualifier for the following year. And it’s not just the training – it’s the free Crufts and Discover Dogs ticket you get too! If you’ve never been before, you can come and see what the Young Kennel Club is all about. And don’t forget the Fetch magazine which is filled with fun stuff to do, articles about the members, and competitions a-plenty! Also, keep an eye out on the social media channels for all things Young Kennel Club. So what are you waiting for – go sign up!

What are you and your dog up to during lockdown? 

There is lots of training when you have eight dogs so we are constantly busy. I have recently just kept a puppy from our litter, she is 15 weeks old and is keeping us super busy. 

You have competed at Crufts before, what was your most memorable moment?

​My most memorable moment at Crufts was when I was awarded Overall Young Kennel Club Young Person of the Year 2019. This was a lifetime achievement. I have also had a variety of places over the years.

You are also a keen volunteer for the Young Kennel Club, tell us more about why you enjoy volunteering for us?

​I have volunteered at Crufts for the past four years along with a number of other Young Kennel Club events such as Discover Dogs and Young Kennel Club camp. I also volunteer for clubs who need help. As well as volunteering I like to always support the Young Kennel Club training days as they are a great way to make friends and see other members improving. I highly recommend joining them!

What is your favourite competition?

My favourite competition is obedience. I enjoy the activity and love training and competing. It really helps to build a bond between both the handler and the dog. 

What is your favourite part about being a Young Kennel Club member? 

The people! The YKC is great for making life long friends all of the competitions are very welcoming and you learn a lot from not only the trainers but other members too.  

If you would like to volunteer at any of our days, please email the Young Kennel Club.

How did you get involved in the world of dogs? 

The Young Kennel Club introduced me to agility and I have gone on to be part of the Junior GB team that went to Luxembourg. I have also competed at Crufts numerous times with my Spaniel Whispa. I got my Border Collie, Deefa, from fellow Young Kennel Club member Paige Jepson.

What do you do for training? 

I train agility at my dog club, Rugby Dog Training Club. I am a volunteer trainer at Rugby Dog Training Club and Young Kennel Club members may have seen me training agility at East of England and Newark.

Where do you work? 

Medical Detection Dogs.

What do you do there? 

I am the Health and Welfare Assistant. We train dogs to detect diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease and malaria. We help aid research to develop an early, non-invasive diagnosis of diseases such as prostate cancer. We also train medical alert assistance dogs, who alert clients which conditions such as type 1 diabetes with hypo unawareness, based on odour. At work we are now starting training of Covid-19 detection dogs! It is amazing to be part of this charity and get to work with these life saving dogs.

What activities have you taken part in?

As a member I mostly competed in the handling competitions and occasionally the stakes. I also entered one of the last biathlon and triathlon competitions being placed 5th in both! I went to a lot of the training events and activities hosted by the Young Kennel Club with my mum. At the training weekends and camps I tried all of the activities on offer - agility, obedience, flyball, heelwork to music - I loved them all! My mum was also able to get involved at camp with activities and would bring my older sister who would also get involved.

What do you do for work?

I'm a police officer. It's a very rewarding career and I enjoy that everyday is different and that I can help the community in which I work in. 

What did you study at school/university/other courses?

I studied Public Services at college followed by a fast track degree in Psychology and Criminology.

Have you competed at Crufts? If so, what was your favourite part? 

I have competed at Crufts in breed and Young Kennel Club handling. I love being able to compete on the green carpet in a new suit and catch up with friends from all over the country. I've been privileged to have been placed in both breed and handling which is always memorable. When I was a Young Kennel Club member I would volunteer in the Young Kennel Club ring and on the membership stand at Crufts. I have also been lucky enough to commentate live on the Young Kennel Club ring!

Do you take part in any dog activities? 

I will always love handling, but I find the agility and heelwork to music fascinating and so entertaining to watch. I don't compete with my dogs anymore, but we enjoy dog walks and snuggling on the sofa with films and blankets. I have in the past also stewarded as well as judged at limit open and championship dog shows in both breed and handling. 

What is your favourite part about the Young Kennel Club? Or why is the Young Kennel Club important to you?

I absolutely love the Young Kennel Club. I get to catch up with friends from all over the UK and it has filled me with confidence in so many aspects of my life. I have developed life skills which have assisted me in my career. I spoke about the Young Kennel Club in my final interview when becoming a police officer. I was able to use the Young Kennel Club for so many examples of skills and behaviour required by the Police Force, these included leadership and teamwork. 

Have you volunteered for the Young Kennel Club? If yes, what is your favourite part about volunteering?

I've volunteered for the Young Kennel Club as a senior member and even though I'm too old to be a member now, I still volunteer as much as I can, as I know how important the Young Kennel Club is to its members. I love being able to help out as much as I can. One of the reasons as I've already mentioned is I get to see my friends and I enjoy being able to give something back to the Young Kennel Club. It's amazing to see the members develop their skills and confidence as the training day/weekends come to an end.

If you could offer any advice to someone wanting to join the Young Kennel Club, what would you say?

Join, join, join! If you love dogs and are aged 6-24 years why wouldn't you? It's the best place to make friends who also have a love of dogs and it's the best place to learn new skills in a fun and friendly environment. You get taught so much more than dog activities. The Young Kennel Club has given me so many opportunities, including commentating at Crufts and placing the group boards in the main arena. I've had some of the most memorable moments at Young Kennel Club camp as a member and a team leader! All of these opportunities and more are available if you become a member of the Young Kennel Club. They will always support their members and help each member achieve their goals, whether that's competing or training in dog activities or for anything else outside of the dog show world.

I mostly take part in handling and breed showing and have done since a young age.

What do you do for work?

I currently work in London as an Emergency Medical Technician. I respond to 999 calls and provide emergency medical care to people across London.

What did you study at school/University/other courses?

I finished my A-levels in 2014 and had no clue what I wanted to do, so decided not to go to university and got a job instead to fill my time. I kind of bounced from post to post a bit before I finally settled in my current job in 2018 and loved it ever since. I’ve recently started studying at Birmingham University to become a Paramedic.

Have you competed at Crufts, if so what was your favourite part?

I’ve competed at Crufts multiple times, both in the handling ring and breed showing ring. I really enjoy the atmosphere and buzz of competing at Crufts and I love the sportsmanship of most of my fellow competitors. I used to compete in handling with a Crossbreed and it was a privilege to show others that a Crossbreed pet can be just as good as a pedigree show dog in the handling ring.

Do you take part in any dog activities or volunteer?

I volunteer at Crufts every year. I love it because I can give back to the club that has given me so much over the past years. I also get to hang out and catch up with some of my closest friends who I don’t get to see too often. Unfortunately, I live away from home so I don’t get to compete and train my dogs as much as I would like to. Over the past two years I’ve started judging Afghan Hounds and have multiple judging appointments in the future.

What is your favourite part about the Young Kennel Club? Or why is the Young Kennel Club important to you?

My favourite part of the Young Kennel Club is the social side. I’ve made so many friends through the Young Kennel Club , some of which I will have for life, although I don’t see them as often as I would like. Over the years the Young Kennel Club has allowed me to partake on various team building course and to volunteer at events across the country, these have helped me to grow in confidence and to meet new people.

If you could offer any advice to someone wanting to join the Young Kennel Club, what would you say?

My advice for anyone looking to join the Young Kennel Club is to just do it. Throw yourself into it as much as possible and you will definitely not regret it. The Young Kennel Club is such a brilliant organisation and is a brilliant stepping stone into the dog world, even if you don’t have intentions of competing, it’s great for just having fun with you dog!