Sarah with Lenny and Rhodie

Lynn and Whisper

Lynn grew up with a great love for all animals. As a child, she had a special interest in horses and started training and showing them at the age of 11. But dogs are the critter of choice in Lynn’s life now. She currently shares her home with two border collies (Whisper and Roxy) and two Jack Russell Terriers (Pongo and ZuZu), all of whom are part of Lynn’s past and present agility team.

Lynn and her dogs have earned multiple agility titles in many venues including: NADAC, CPE, USDAA, AKC, and ASCA. Some of their accomplishments include: Agility Trial Champion titles on three of her dogs, USDAA Grand Prix local qualifier and placement in the 22" division, multiple High in Trial awards, including "You and Your Dog High in Trial" for two years standing with her dog Pongo. She has qualified to go to the Nationals in two different venues, placing with her dog ZuZu in the 12" division.

 
Lynn's philosophy is that the most important aspect of the sport of dog agility is having fun with her dogs.  Her goal at the end of every run is that her dog doesn't know whether they qualified or not. What really matters is that they ran happy! Lynn believes that any breed of dog and any age person can enjoy the special bond that the sport of agility brings! 

When not working with dogs, Lynn is an agency field specialist, utilizing her degrees in Communications and Business from Chico State.

Cindy and Edie

Cindy Rich has loved, lived with, and been devoted to dogs (and other animals) all of her life. During high school, she attended Butte County’s Regional Occupational Program (ROP) to become a veterinary assistant. After graduating from the program, she worked five years for a local small animal and exotic veterinary hospital. Her love for dogs, and especially the small breeds, extends to her home life. She and her husband, Michael, own (and spoil) small breed dogs, including Italian Greyhounds and Yorkshire Terriers. Cindy has trained and competed with her Yorkies in the dog sport of agility. Her first agility dog, four pound Edie (AKA “Crazy Edie”), shown here with Cindy, received multiple titles in the sport (read more about Cindy’s furry kids here).  Cindy instructs our small dog obedience classes, agility and manages our small dog day care program.

William and Indie

William is the “go to guy” at the Canine Connection. He oversees our store and client services. William has been a dog lover since he was a child. His first Doberman Pinscher, Benny, found William’s family after escaping from a police training facility. Benny was a smart, protective, loving, big boy who inspired William’s love for dogs. Thanks to Benny, William appreciates the real and true bond shared by a man and his best friend. Because of this tireless bond, William has never (successfully) been without a dog. He and his wife, Kenyan, own a loving Golden Retriever named Indie and three cats. When not at the Canine Connection, William can be found playing fetch with Indie and working toward a degree in Theology.

Kenyan and Indie

Kenyan has had a love for animals her entire life. She grew up surrounded by animals of all varieties, having upwards of eight pets at any given time. Her love for animals was inherited from her mom, who raised, showed, and bred Labrador Retrievers. As a child, Kenyan competed in AKC Junior Showmanship with a lovable black Lab named Barney. Kenyan and her husband, William, share a happy-go-lucky Golden Retriever pup named Indie and three feisty cats. Kenyan realized that she had a knack for training dogs when taking Indie through Puppy Kindergarten at the Canine Connection. She has since joined the team as a class assistant. Kenyan is also currently working toward a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Chico State.

Serafina and Habibi

Serafina Cupido came to the Canine Connection to learn more skills to help integrate her newly adopted whippet mix, Habibi, into her life. They've had so much fun with positive training that they've decided to help share this joy with others!

Serafina has spent most of her life interacting with dogs and other furry creatures. Since 2000, she has worked in veterinary medicine as a Registered Veterinary Technician. She has a special love for sighthounds and serves as a Regional Coordinator for STOLA (Saluki Tree of Life Alliance) Rescue, helping to foster and place Salukis that need new homes. One of her recent foster dogs, Kenz, a handsome smooth Saluki boy from Kuwait, won her and Habibi’s heart and is now a permanent part of their home.

Michelle and Jeebis

Michelle Herbert ensures that all dogs have doggone good times at The Canine Connection’s Dog Day Care. A true animal lover, Michelle has been involved in animal care throughout her career. She first began dog grooming during high school and later, while her family was stationed in Louisiana, she worked with local animal shelters to help dogs and cats find good homes. During the past ten years, Michelle has owned and operated a successful professional pet-sitting service in Chico.

Michelle truly enjoys connecting with and caring for animals and is a natural at helping dogs have healthy, happy social experiences. Our day care dogs love her! Both natives of Chico, Michelle and her husband of 22 years, Jace, have four children, and many well-loved critters.