Sandra Katzen - 2018 - Pioneer of Dog Agility

For more than 30 years, Sandra Katzen’s contributions to the sport of dog agility have spanned every role from agility competitor and teacher, to club founder, board member, and USDAA judge. She is a worthy Pioneer of Dog Agility recipient.

In 1989, Sandra, of Auburn, Washington, founded the Rainier Agility Team in the Pacific Northwest, and has held every possible board and committee position for the club. Sandra has also helped other USDAA clubs in the region get started, including Columbia Agility Team and the Willamette Agility Group in Oregon.

Sandra became a USDAA judge in 1992, judging coast-to-coast for more than 25 years and hosting judging clinics to help welcome future generations of judges. 

In addition to her 30 years of involvement with the Rainier Agility Club and USDAA, Sandra served as chairperson of the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) Agility Committee from 1991 to 1997, and has served as president, vice president and secretary for the ASCA-Washington Affiliate.

Sandra is a great role model as competitor, event organizer, judge, volunteer and leader. In 2001, she founded Vortex Agility and Dog Training, and continues to teach and compete.