Instructor Bios

LeAnn Sawyer
LeAnn has been training and showing dogs for 40+ years. She has competed and titled dogs in obedience, rally, confirmation, flyball, agility and nosework. She is a certified evaluator for Therapy Dogs International, Inc., and AKC's Canine Good Citizens, and a member of APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers). She also enjoys hiking and kayaking with her dog Charlie.

Polly Pierce
I got my first dog, an Alaskan Malamute in 1972, which sent me on an incredible 45 year journey. I raised, trained and ran a team of Mals for several years. I raised 2 guide dog puppies, both of which became working guides. I switched to Aussies around 1984 and have been hooked ever since. I put an obedience title on one Mal, and a Championship on another. I put an obedience title on my first Aussie and dabbled in agility before it was agility. In 2000, I started serious agility with my 2nd Aussie and put several advanced titles on her in several venues. My third and current Aussie has numerous agility titles and rally obedience titles . I started teaching agility 10 years ago and several of my students are now the master.

Kris Brown
Kris moved to St. George from Washington state in 2014 where she previously began agility training. She currently has three Border Collies currently competing in AKC and NADAC agility trials, having titled dogs in both venues. She just recently returned from a successful AKC trial in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Her Australian Cattle Dog enjoys nosework and she has also titled one of the BCs in Rally. She attends classes and seminars in Las Vegas to learn new training techniques to include distance handling and more. Kris spent 25 years in the race horse industry training Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, racing throughout the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. She also enjoys hiking with her dogs. When not working with the dogs, she works as a medical and legal transcriptionist.

Crissy Crismon
Currently my spouse and I live with a German Shorthair Pointer, a Border Terrier and Bart the Cat, who actually rules the household. I’ve had many mixed and purebred pups throughout my lifetime. I know each dog is different and each dog enjoys different activities. I have to admit, the two we have now are our favorite breeds. I’ve been training and competing in Dock Diving, Rally, Obedience, ScentWork, Hunt Trials, Tracking, Agility, Barn Hunt and dabbling in FastCat over the years. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences that I’ve learned through my dogs.

Maggie Probst
I was captivated by the sport of agility watching Westminster and thought it would be a great way to create a strong connection with my young puppy. Over the years, I’ve trained with several accomplished agility coaches and began competing 5 years ago. I’ve continued to learn the latest agility teaching methods from Susan Garret, multiple gold medalist at both National and World Agility events, as a member of Handling360 and Agility Nation. I have assisted in teaching Agility at SUDS and look forward to helping dogs and their owners learn to love the sport. Contact Maggie at (801) 550-2659 or email maggieprobst@earthlink.net.

Dawna Drake
My name is Dawna Drake and I am one of the original members of SUDS. A small group of us in So. Utah actually began training, showing and traveling together in about ‘81 and formally organized SUDS in the early ‘90’s. I was instrumental in securing the training field for club use and have served the club in various capacities. I have put numerous titles on my dogs in conformation, obedience, flyball, agility, dock diving and scent work. I also did therapy dog visits. I am currently owned by a 2 1⁄2 year old Aussie named Ellie. After several years of limited involvement with SUDS I am looking forward to the future of what SUDS has to offer its members.

Jennifer Dawson
I’ve been an animal lover very literally my entire life, and have worked in the animal industry (animal control, dog groomer, vet assistant, shelter manager, equine caretaker & groom etc) for over 35 years. I’ve been training my personal dogs and competing successfully in various sports (flyball, obedience, agility, herding, and protection sport) for over 30 years. I’ve been training family pets professionally for about 10 now. I’m a professional member of the International Association of Canine Professionals, & a certified NePoPo* trainer/instructor, which means that my classes are about ignition, and motivating dogs to WANT to be cooperative & obedient. I typically attend 2-3 seminars a year, as well as my professional organization’s conference, in order to keep my skills in tune with the latest science etc. I’m very much looking forward to meeting all of you, and helping you to achieve your goals with your dog.

Heidi Folks
I joined SUDS in 2014 with my lively, 10 week old Mini- Aussie, Moki. From the beginning she has been fearless, fast, fun and frustrating. She would run out of the ring at trials in one event, only to turn around and produce a qualifying score in the next. Through the help and support at SUDS, on-line training with Susan Garrett in Recallers, Handling 360 and Agility Nation, and the extensive use of videotaping, we are now competing at the elite level in NADAC and the masters level in USDAA. It is my desire to help other teams develop a great relationship with each other and to grow the confidence of both handler and dog so that they too can experience the joy of agility. To contact Heidi email her at educationisus@gmail.com

Micki Handte
Micki and her husband, Jack, moved to St. George in 2020 from Pittsburgh, PA. She has had Aussies since 1988 and also owned two Collies. Currently she has one 11 month old Aussie named Arnie who will be starting to train in agility and nosework. While in PA, she trained and competed in agility, obedience, Rally and herding. She has titled dogs at the excellent level of AKC agility and has also competed and titled dogs in ASCA and CPE agility. The titles earned in herding are her proudest accomplishments. Micki has taken in person and online courses in various dog training venues from Susan Garrett, Steffi Trott, Cappy Pruett and others.