Lori Skinner
Vice President, Massachusetts, USA
My life can be summed up very simply, family and dogs. My husband and I gave each other dogs as wedding gifts. We took training lessons with a wonderful woman who took me under her wing and mentored me. It was very exciting time because positive dog training was in its infancy. I was also lucky to attend the Volhard trainer's camps. I began teaching on my own and have continued for 20 plus years. I have taught at training facilities, Petsmart and private lessons.
Four active boys came shortly after and in quick succession. I was fortunate to be a stay at home mom, busy supporting them in school, sports and other activities. My boys are now young men with three in college and one graduating high school next year.
Along the way, I continued to teach dog obedience and stay involved with dogs in the breed ring, doing therapy work and rescue. Ten years ago my grooming business started by accident. I had learned to groom my show dogs and soon friends began asking me to groom their dogs. It is now my main focus and continues to grow. I maintain my education by attending grooming and training seminars.
A fork in the path:
Eight years ago, I bred my English Cocker Spaniel, Cricket. On a cold December evening, she gave birth to 7 puppies. I had high hopes for the litter and was looking for my next champion to keep. Within a few weeks, I began to become suspicious that there was a problem with two of the puppies. At 5.5 weeks, I had the litter BAER tested and my fears were confirmed, two were deaf. It came as a shock because there was no history of deafness in either line. After getting over the shock, I decided to look at it as a challenge and learning experience for my family. We kept Emily Kate and Rugby and they became wonderful loving companions. I learned there really is no difference between deaf dogs and hearing dogs. It is just a matter of learning a different language. The experience has been wonderful for my family. My children have learned compassion and tolerance, something that has served them well in the community at large.
While researching canine deafness in those early years, I was horrified to learn that many deaf dogs were destroyed. I vowed to make a difference through rescue and education. We've been privileged to share our life with many deaf dogs through the past years. Most have been fosters and have gone on to live in loving homes and three have stayed. They are Rugby, a deaf English Cocker Spaniel, Clover, a deaf Bull Terrier, and Tilly, a deaf Border Collie. I've also been able to educate the public by hosting booths at rescue events, going into schools to educate children, and using my deaf dogs for demonstrations in my classes.
I do have a few other passions, such as James Taylor, Faith Hill, power walking, kayaking, sports and gardening. I couldn't have done this all alone, and I owe a HUGE debt of thanks to my very special and patient husband, David.
