Staff
Victoria Rhodes
Director of Wild Blue Dog Camp and Founder of
Wild Blue Dogs-canine cancer charity 501(c)3.
"Dog Camp is literally my favorite week of the year-GREAT dogs, like minded owners, fantastic instructors, and the most beautiful location in the world. Every camper goes home having learned something to improve their lives and their dog’s life, plus they have strengthened their bond with their dog-all while having the most fun that you can have. It's the ultimate vacation and you are playing with a purpose-all the proceeds go to canine cancer treatment and research."
Recommendations from the professionals
“A lot of animal people say they do it for the animals. I do, too, but I really enjoy working with my clients, and being able to help improve their bond with their pets.”
“If you are looking for a magical place to enjoy beautiful scenery, awesome dog activities, and learning along with your dog….this is the “go to event!” And with all of this going to benefit canine cancer research, it’s a win-win for all!”
“If you ask any Wild Blue canine camper, their favorite life memories will be from happy days frolicking the beautiful shores of Lake Tahoe. Vicki & her dedicated staff create a safe environment for fun and positive connection between dogs and their beloved people - a rare opportunity to disconnect from work and the worries of the world, giving dogs the time and attention they deserve. Wild Blue should be on every dog lover’s bucket list!”
“We played the find my car keys game. At the end of an hour every single dog had found their owner’s keys in a large field of grass. How cool is that!!!! If you love to play with your dog, bring them to Wild Blue Dogs camp! Come play in their world.”
“Wild Blue Dog Camp is an awesome opportunity to disconnect from the busy world and connect with your dog(s) and nature. A perfect place to try new activities/sports, meet 2 & 4 legged friends, learn about your dog and yourself, play and relax in the beauty of Lake Tahoe.”
“It doesn’t get much better than this… dogs, Tahoe, a beach, dog people, and more things to do with your dog than you can imagine! So much fun!!! The campers are great! Always supporting one another. Great camaraderie and friendships that last forever! ”
“Victoria goes above and beyond to create a positive, fun, and safe environment for dogs and humans. The site is so beautiful and well-maintained beautiful and having access to a private beach on Lake Tahoe is beyond heavenly. ”
“Wild Blue Dogs is my favorite place to teach! The campers have become family & getting to know their dogs is the best!
Vicki & the Staff are always available to help in any way and continue to make improvements. It only gets better year after year.”
“Meeting and photographing all the dogs and campers at WBD is the highlight of my year.
So many great memories and friendships have been made at Camp.
All for a wonderful organization that helps our 4-legged friends. Win - Win!!”
“The Wild Blue Dog Camp is the equivalent to summer camp for dogs. The variety of topics and activities to choose from in just one week is astounding!”
“Agility, Obedience & Watersports Trainer
I’m OBSESSED with This Camp !!!
It’s a Bucket list Experience with your Dog!!!!! ”
Trainers
Terry Simons
Internationally Recognized Agility Handler, Trainer, Coach and Seminar Presenter
National Agility Champion – 2017
Multi Dogs and Titles including Regional and National Championships in AKC, USDAA, NADAC and AAC in Canada
Fox Network Sports Analyst
Celebrity Judge for Hallmark Channels “American Rescue Dog Show”
Founder of CLEAR - Canine Lymphoma Education Awareness Research - a 501(c)3 Canine Cancer Foundation
Award Winning Canine Cancer Documentary Producer
My Friend: Changing the Journey
Best Documentary - Los Angeles Movie Awards
Best Educational Documentary - Bare Bones International Film and Music Festival
A Reason To Change
Best Music Video Los Angeles Film Awards
My Friend: Standing Strong
Best Documentary Featurette – Los Angeles Film Awards
Best Documentary Feature – New York Film Awards
Honorable Mention: Documentary Featurette – Festigious International Film Festival
Click on the logos to visit the site.
Suzanne Leroy
CPDT-KA, CNWI, CTDI
AKC Scent Work Judge, AKC Conformation Judge, AKC Farm Dog Judge, AKC Trick Dog and Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Certified Nose Work Instructor (NACSW), Certified Trick Dog Trainer (DMWYD).
ABOUT ME: My love of training began with my horse that I adopted off the racetrack and trained for hunter/jumper competition. After college I got a job training birds at Busch Gardens. I then took a dramatic turn and spent 30 years working in the motion picture industry. During that time, I got a dog and started competing in agility. Then 2 dogs and added herding. Then well, I added more dogs and more sports. Yes, I can be called a dog addict.
Lately I’ve been judging a lot of scent work trials for AKC on weekends and working as a professional dog trainer for service and medical alert dogs, rescue dogs for home placement, as well as competition and companion dogs on weekdays.
I try and fit in time to train my own dogs (haha). My dogs have appeared in TV, movies, advertising, magazines, calendars and dog food packaging, showing off their talents. They’ve also earned numerous high-ranking awards and titles. In the meantime, I received my own award; I was honored to receive AKC Sportsman of the Year Award in 2018 and 2019.
Click on the logo to visit the site.
Laura Nativo
CPDT-KA, KPA CTP
Founder of Nativo Pet Company
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner
Fear-Free Certified Veterinary Professional
International Speaker at Animal Training & Veterinary Conferences
TV Host of the new dog training series, Dog Masters
National Spokesperson for Embrace Pet Insurance
Resident Pet Expert of Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family for 5 years
Celebrity Dog Mom to Penelope Supafly & Delilah Jane Sassafras, stars of A Dog & Pony Show movie,
Katrina Anderson
Obedience & Agility Trainer
I discovered agility in1999 with my foundation Aussie Patty and was bit by the agility bug. Now 20 plus years later I work as a full time agility coach in Reno, Nevada. I have competed with multiple generations of Aussies that I bred in NADAC, ASCA, AKC, and CPE obtaining multiple championships along the way. I strive to create a wonderful connection and teamwork between dog and handler. I focus on teaching obstacle independence so that even if you can’t run with your dog, you have the skills to handle at a distance. Vast majority of my students are seniors and I really enjoy fostering a community of supportive, non judgmental students and dogs. Classes are a great physical and mental outlet for both dogs and their owners.
Current Dogs: Cameo a ten year old blue merle Aussie that still runs agility with speed and enthusiasm. She has achieved multiple NADAC championships and runs at the elite level in ASCA, level 5 CPE and excellent CPE. She loves to do distance and truly loves the game of agility.
Pearl is Cameo’s 7 year old black tri daughter that is my right hand in my business as a demo dog, and teacher dog running for my students as needed. She has obtained multiple NADAC Championships, ASCA Championship, Runs at the master level in AKC and level 5 in CPE. She is a very accurate responsive dog that is very easy to run.
Dot is Pearls sister and a 7 year old black tri Aussie as well. She does not find agility as fun as the other two but she is in it for the cookies and social hour. She enjoys being a demo dog and will work for anybody for cookies. She has earned some elite titles in NADAC open tiles in ASCA and level 3 titles in CPE. She loves other dogs and people and is always up for some fun and adventure.
Scott Pack
Lure Course Instructor
AKC Judge: Coursing Ability Test, Lure Coursing Test, Lure Coursing Trial
Long-term AKC/ASFA operator/equipment manager.
Operated for Greyhound National Coursing Specially
Course designer, Lure trial/CAT
Beth Williams
P.T., A.P.T.
Beth Williams, P.T., A.P.T. has been a licensed physical therapist since graduating with honors from California State University Northridge in 1985. Inspired by her heart-dog Nitro’s successful recovery from hip surgery, she opened K9 Wellness Center in 1999 to provide physical therapy and rehabilitation for dogs (and the occasional bunny/cat/goat/horse) in Reno. K9 Wellness Center's mission is to prevent injury, promote health, and facilitate healing through exercise, education, physical therapy, and training".
In 2004, Beth was honored to become one of the first two licensed animal physical therapists in Nevada and she continues to enjoy working with dogs recovering from injury or surgery, and those living with chronic neurological and orthopedic conditions. During her career as a physical therapist for humans, she served as a geriatric clinical specialist for 20 years, pursued advanced training in bodywork and movement education, was certified in Pilates, and earned a master’s degree in counseling and educational psychology.
Over the years Beth has been uniquely trained to help people and their pets heal in body, mind, and spirit. She volunteered for many years as a Therapy Dog Inc. evaluator and enjoyed countless therapy dog team visits with her past dogs Nitro and Dragster. In 2021, she completed the Dancing Hearts Academy coaches’ training and expanded her work to help people and dogs cooperatively live their best lives together. Beth believes that when we focus on understanding ourselves and others (dogs and humans), with a sense of humor and appreciation for our individual talents and abilities, life is much more enjoyable for everyone!
Beth happily resides in Reno, Nevada with her beloved “pack”: husband Dave, Rottweiler KZ, Siamese cat Luna and several chickens. She and KZ enjoy training and competing in rat sports (barn hunting, trailing, urban locating) and in 2022 KZ was the NASDA #4 Rottweiler in Level II urban locating.
Wendy Hart
CGC Certified
Before she began training dogs professionally, Wendy has always had a passion for dogs since she was a young girl. Unfortunately, Wendy spent a lot of her younger life in rentals with “no dogs allowed,” and thus wasn’t allowed to have her own furry friend. However, this restriction didn’t hinder her love for dogs. Instead, she began volunteering at the local humane society, helping train dogs to prepare them for adoption, among other duties of care-taking. She also spent many of her summers training her Grandparent’s Great Dane.
Her love for animals lead her to other job opportunities working in pet stores, dog boarding facilities, and as a vet tech. This gave her the opportunities to broaden her knowledge and has resulted in over 20 years of experience in obedience training, behavioral consulting, and caring for dogs, among other animals. She continues with broadening her knowledge through many different channels, other trainers, books, and webinars. There is always more to learn.
Wendy is also an evaluator for American Therapy Pets. This provides her with an opportunity to practice her two passions, giving to others and love of animals.
Her main goal is for you to be able to enjoy your dog in every environment. This is accomplished through strengthening the bond and respect between you and your dog. She also takes into consideration that every dog and owners are unique, living individuals with different needs.
Wendy strives to make training fun for the dog and the owner.
Joe Bailey
Joe Bailey has been a dog person since his parents got him his first dog, a German Shepherd at 13 years old. They encouraged him to attend a basic obedience class with his new dog. After Joe retired from police work in 2009 his wife gifted him his first Border Collie and he has been an agility, rally and obedience competitor ever since. Looking for something to do in retirement, in 2015 Joe attended dog trainers school at a busy board and train facility. There he learned all facets of dog training, but wanted to specialize in behavior issues such as reactivity and aggression. He is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). He owns his own business and is a contract trainer for the Santa Barbara Humane. Joe lives in Lompoc, CA with his wife Beth and their five Border Collies including 9 year old Jameson who is his co-instructor.
Lori Wells
Natural Animal Therapies Consultant
Lori Bauer is a graduate of the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies as a Natural Animal Therapies Consultant. Her training has allowed her to help pet parents navigate the ever-changing world of diet and nutrition for both dogs and cats. Lori discovered her passion for animal nutrition after graduating with her certificate in Nutritional Therapy at Portland Community College, during her time managing a small independent pet store in Chico, CA. Her services include: diet and supplement recommendations for a healthy pet, critical care and disease management, weight loss consultations, diet recommendations for animals with allergies and food intolerances as well as home cooking for all life stages! Lori’s main goal and purpose is to boost your pet’s natural healing capabilities holistically while focusing on species-appropriate nutrition and holistic treatment options. Lori is joined by her new puppy, an American Labrador named Miller! (wellspetnutrition.com)
Joanne Osburn
Joanne Osburn is a veterinary stem cell technician in Lafayette, CA. After working for nine years as a biology tech at a government laboratory, she is delighted to be working in the veterinary field where she can help improve the lives of pets. She lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband Paul and super-sniffing, paddleboard-loving Portuguese Water Dog Guster.
Josie Le Balch
CNWI / Certified Nose Work Instructor NACSW
AKC Scent Work Judge, Fetch Judge 105338
Josie has three (3) Golden Retrievers and a Flat-coated Retriever she has trained in Agility and Nose work along with dabbling in Rally and Obedience. The oldest, Jack, is a retried TDI working dog, and all four have their CGC titles. Josie also has handled her female ‘Bella’ in Conformation including the Golden Retriever Nationals and other shows and works closely with GRCGLA and the Local Golden Retriever Rescue. Currently Josie is owner-handler working towards Jett’s Grand Champion Bronz. Josie is a Certified Nose Work Instructor with the NACSW and AKC Scentwork Judge and enjoys training and competing with her 2 Summit Dog Luc and Bella, Elite dog Jett. Both Luc and Bella have their Master level titles in AKC scent work and both are working on their Detective titles, with Jett not far behind.
Josie has volunteered at the West Valley Los Angeles Shelter in Chatsworth working the Nose Work Shelter Program and is a level Three canine handler for the Los Angeles Shelters. Along with working the shelter dogs in nose work, she participated in “the big dog” engagement play group designed to introduce the shelter dogs to each other for better placement in multiple dog homes. She also teaches nose work/scent work in the San Fernando Valley and Altadena areas, and leads all levels of nose work practice groups in hide placement and training, Josie is available for nose work and obedience training with private clients.
Melissa Goodman
My name is Melissa Goodman, and I am the owner of Mission Pawsitive Dog Training, which is based in Woodland Hills, CA. I am a certified dog Trainer through the Victoria Stilwell Academy For Dog Training & Behavior and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA). I offer training for everything from basic puppy training, obedience/life skills, and tricks, to more complex behavioral challenges, and a lot in between using reward-based techniques to make learning FUN. If the learning process is fun and rewarding, you will have a dog that wants to respond to you with enthusiasm! I enjoy helping people build the best possible relationship with their dogs, raising them to be confident and happy dogs that can thrive in our world. I am looking forward to being back in one of my favorite places, having fun at camp with all of you, and learning some new skills & activities!
Photographers
Diane Ciminero & Barbara Buckley
Professional Photographers
Specializing in Animal Photography
We are still working with a number of new instructors to add to our exceptional staff. Continue to check our website and facebook page for new additions.