Behind the Scenes: USDAA Team Members’ Rescue Dogs

This article was originally published in the June 2025 OVERview digital magazine.

Taylor Beers, USDAA Group & Competitor Services, and Daisy

“Daisy was heartworm positive and developed autoimmune meningitis four months after I adopted her. We have not participated in USDAA yet, as we worked through some big feelings and socialization for our first year-and-a-half together. We are now looking for a training club to get involved with, but she is vaccine exempt and nervous, so that has made it a bit tricky.”

Taylor Beers and Daisy

 

Andy Hartman, USDAA Vice President, and Oliver

“In January of 2015 Kaimen Miller found two puppies on the way to an agility trial in rural Florida. After attempting to find the owners, they looked for forever homes for Scruffy (Oliver) and his sister, Feral Fawcett. My wife, Cindy, and I connected with Scruffy as soon as we saw his pictures and video. The amazing agility community volunteered to transport Oliver from Tampa to Raleigh via Daytona. He has a great personality and never fails to entertain us. He is a great lap dog. People ask us what kind of dog he is, and we respond ‘perfect’! Oliver has filled our lives with joy for 10+ years. Rescue dogs pay us back in kind over and over again!”

Andy Hartman and Oliver

 

Kari Massoth, USDAA Communications Specialist, and Stellar

“Stellar came to me in July 2024 at a year-and-a-half old and is my dog Aegon’s daughter. She is technically a rehome as I didn’t plan to have her, but she has become nice addition to my other two dogs. After three months, I started her agility foundations and working on ringside behavior; she started trialing this year and is showing potential. It’s been a joy to watch her come out of her shell, and I’m excited to see what her future brings!”

Kari Massoth and Stellar

 

Betty Weibel, USDAA Public Relations and Publications, Dory and Myrtle

Not an issue of OVERview is produced without the watchful eyes of Betty’s dogs, Dory (left) and Myrtle (right), who oversee all USDAA public relations activities with a canine perspective. Dory is about 3 and was adopted from a local shelter after she was found wandering the streets in Salem, Ohio. An agility hopeful, she has a zest for learning! Myrtle, 11+, was rescued after a flood in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, by Danny & Ron’s Rescue, and found a home with Betty nine years ago.

Betty Weibel with Dory and Myrtle