Doris McFadden - Dog Lover and Trainer for 70 years

I wish you could all get to know my friend Doris McFadden. 

Her connection with dogs began at the age of 12 when she handled Dalmatians at a kennel in San Francisco area in the 1940s and trained puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. She attended obedience classes and showed her own dogs in obedience and conformation. That means Doris has spent 70 years in the world of dogs.

Doris graduated from San Francisco State and bred German Shepherds. After her marriage to Don McFadden, a California State Humane Officer who shared her passion for animals, they trained, bred and showed Appaloosa horses and trained German Shepherds. Doris showed in obedience and worked for a small animal vet.

After moving to Arizona, Doris taught obedience classes in Camp Verde, organized a Doggie Drill Team, judged at Chino Valley Kennel Club shows, presents programs at her local library, and continues to train dogs of all breeds and ages, offering private classes and classes through the OLLI (Yavapai College - Osher Life Long Learning Institute). 

Doris was also a Charter member of the Richmond Dog Fanciers Club and an AKC Evaluator of “Canine Good Citizen” program. Guide Dogs for the Blind Legacy Society, Board of Directors U.S. Wolf Refuge)

Doris presently owns Lucky, an Australian Shepherd, and Sirius her rescue Greyhound. She's busy private training class for two Mastiffs, planning her next Wolf Workshop Dancing with Wolves, and taking in a few yoga classes every week. Doris recently traveled to Egypt and to my favorite place in the Southwest – Chaco Canyon.

Doris is especially dear to me for her support during my writing of dogs and wolves in fantasy. She continues to be invaluable for her enthusiasm and spirit.

Learn more about Doris and her work with wolves on Oct 17th post.