Michelle began K9 Nose Work classes in 2010 with her spaniel mix puppy, Kacie, and has been a NACSW Certified Nose Work Instructor since 2013. She greatly enjoys helping facilitate learning and connection for handler & dog. 

Her favorite focus for training is foundation skill reinforcement for dogs of all levels, as well as “Dog Driven Searching”, in which the dog’s choice of path to solving the puzzle creates empowerment and clearer communication to the handler. Over time, Dog Driven Searching further increases a dog’s confidence and fulfillment from the activity of K9 Nose Work. 

Her own dogs have achieved various title levels: Nate, a tricolor Collie mix, earned his NW3 Elite in 2015 with High In Trial on his final NW3 and ELT2 a few months before his passing of old age in 2019;  Cedar was among the first three purebred Collies to earn a NW3 title in 2016, with a Pronounced designation and Second Place overall; and the third purebred Collie to earn an Elite title. Clover earned her NW2 title with a Pronounced designation and second place overall, and was the fifth Collie to earn NW3 Elite.  Burdock was the 4th Collie to earn ELT1. He earned 3rd place overall in his first NW3 Trial & first place in L2I. Lilac earned NW3 Elite in 3 trials within six weeks. Her first K9Nose Work partner, Kacie, a Brittany  mix, earned her NW1 title with Second Place overall in 2012. 

• Nate (r.i.p.) Elite2, L2I

• Cedar NW3 Elite, L2I, L2E

• Clover NW3 Elite, L3C, L1I

• Burdock ELT1, L2I, L1E

• Lilac NW3 Elite, L1I, L2C

• Kacie NW1