Sarah Holroyd
I grew up with animals- dogs, cats, gerbils, hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, doves and garter snakes. I wanted to become a vet but didn’t get the qualifications required to apply for vet school (in hindsight probably for the best). I gained a BSc Hons in Biology and then a Masters in Environmental Studies, and while I still wanted to work with animals, life led me down a different route.
In 1995 I got a Heidi, a German Shepherd and have had dogs ever since. After moving to Lochaber in 1998 I joined the club in 2001. I enjoyed training my dogs Ben ( a cross) to Kennel Club Good Citizen Gold award and Fern (GSD cross) to Silver award as well as taking part in agility and entering several fun competitions.
I took a break for a few years and returned in 2011 with Douglas, a cross collie Labrador. I was very quickly asked to join the committee and to lend a hand in the good citizen classes. I became a good citizen class instructor, then Good Citizen coordinator, and then qualified by the Kennel Club to assess good citizen awards to gold level.
I entered my first rally obedience competition in 2014 and over subsequent years Douglas worked through the levels and qualified at Rally Level 4. I am also a qualified KC Rally judge. I was assistant manager on the Crufts Inter Regional Rally Team in 2017 and 2018.
In 2017 we got Dobby a black lab. Dobby competed in rally with some success (when he’s concentrating!) but though the covid pandemic there was little opportunity to practice or compete. In autumn 2020 we attended a canine hoopers course and got hooked on this new sport. In 2022 Dobby got his silver online hoopers award, and Douglas got his foundation online award. Dobby has achieved progression points in each of the categories of hoopers competition.
In 2023 it felt like I had come full circle as I was asked once more to be the Scottish Rally Obedience Team assistant manager travelling to Crufts with the team in 2024. Dobby and I picked up where we left off and as now achieved his Level 2 Ex title and we progress to compete at level 3 and 4.
I have attended several courses and seminars by some well known dog trainers and behaviorists (Turid Rugaas, Grisha Stewart, Helen Zulch, Maxwell Muir) as well as several online courses (ADTB, Canine Principles, IMDT, Fenzi Dog Sports Academy) as well as keeping up to date with canine first aid courses (Rhodes2Safety).
After 5 years as club secretary, at the 2023 AGM, I stood down from an officers position but remain on the committee and continue as instructor and good citizen assessor. I was also the companion show organiser from 2015 to 2018 and again in 2020 and 2022, as well as stewarding at our open show.
In the summer of 2023 I submitted my application for accreditation to the Kennel Club Accreditation for Instructors (KCAI) scheme, working towards accreditation. I passed a practical and oral assessment in December and am delighted to have achieved accreditation in Companion Dog Training, KCAI (CD)
In the spring of 2024 we welcomed Bru to our family. Bru is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, a breed I have admired for many years. They were bred for luring in the ducks so they have a playful character, and a love of water. He’s loving his early obedience training, passing his Bronze Good Citizen Award in March 2025, and we do a bit of rally, hoopers and agility too.
