Team USA Prepares for International Competition
Meet the team members heading to Switzerland next month!
These talented agility teams will soon head to the 2025 International Federation of Cynological Sports (IFCS) World Agility Championships (WAC) hosted at CS Ranch in Givrins, Switzerland, June 16-22.
They will be accompanied by Team Manager Janet Gauntt, USDAA Hall of Fame Pioneer of Dog Agility; longtime agility competitor, judge and primary author of the USDAA Course Design Guidelines; 2006 IFCS Team Coach and 2008 IFCS Team Manager.
Be sure to follow the team on Facebook for results as they become available.
CHRISTINE BREW
Montara, California
Christine, a biologist in the pharmaceutical industry, has always loved dogs and competing in running races and triathlons. “When I got my first dog as an adult, a Bedlington Terrier named Luna, I wanted to try dog sports with her and quickly discovered my love of agility. I especially love the teamwork that develops between dog and handler that makes us thrive on course.”
Competing with Indi (9) and Boo (4), Pumis. The mother and son team will be competing together this year. “It will be Boo’s debut, and he has big shoes to fill, as his mom won medium Biathlon last year! Both dogs have very high drive but different personalities; Indi was born ready to go, and Boo is more laid back but quickly grew to love agility. They are a pack-oriented breed, and each dog has a favorite family member, which complements their personality.”
Looking forward to IFCS. “I am looking forward to running challenging courses, which I find very interesting, the camaraderie amongst the teammates and meeting team members from other countries.”
Christine Brew and Indi
ABBY DAVID
Houston, Texas
Originally from Scotland, Abby now resides in Texas and works as a trauma ICU nurse. “I have been competing in agility on and off since I was 12; my mom started in competitive obedience with her mixed breed at the time, so I would watch her practice, and one thing led to another. I started off with riding and training horses, but after seeing dog shows on the television, it seemed like the next natural step.”
Competing with Bungee (4½), Border Collie. “Though I've been doing agility for many years, Bungee is my first Border Collie. She came to me as a rehome at 8 months old with no puppy tendencies, just ready to go. Bungee is so easy and absolutely nothing phases her; she has a temperament with people and other dogs that I adore. To me, of course, she's just perfect.”
Looking forward to IFCS. “Switzerland is an absolute dream to visit, and the atmosphere while competing on the biggest stage in dog showing is simply an honor and something you cannot replicate. Bungee absolutely thrives in it, and I can't wait to feel the adrenaline, run my girl and cheer for my teammates!”
Abby David and Bungee
TRACY ENGLAND
Simi Valley, California
Tracy is a dog groomer who started competing in agility in 2002. She described her first agility dog, Doc, as a Springer who wouldn’t stop moving and jumping, so she took up agility to give him a job.
Competing with Flea (5½), English Cocker Spaniel. “Flea is up for anything and has a decent brain and body to get things done. He thinks very highly of himself and is always into the sport.”
Looking forward to IFCS. “I am looking forward to really nice courses and, of course, spending some time in Switzerland with Flea.”
Tracy England and Flea
BRENDA KELLY
Flower Mound, Texas
Brenda works as a customer experience architect for Verizon by day and a canine massage therapist and agility trainer at night and on weekends. “I started out in equestrian sports and martial arts, both competing and teaching. I had always wanted to try agility but didn’t get a canine partner until I moved to Texas in 2008; from then on, I was hooked. Agility has it all --mental challenges, like puzzle solving and strategic fitness, and physical challenges, like speed and flexibility.”
Competing with Ember (4), Border Pap. “She is an amazing, spicy little athlete and quite the character. She talks a lot and has a large repertoire of woofs, howls and warbles. Ember likes to climb on all the things; she brings laughter and joy to my life every day.”
Looking forward to IFCS. “Having been a member of Team USA for the IFCS World Agility Championships many times, I always enjoy the camaraderie as well as the challenges of international competition, such as the courses, pressure and energy of the event. It’s a joy traveling and having grand adventures with the best parts of my soul – my canine kids.”
Brenda Kelly and Ember
ROGER LY
San Jose, California
Competing with Firefly, Belgian Tervuren
Roger Ly and Firefly
JAMIE LYLE
Powder Springs, Georgia
Jamie has been doing agility about 15 years, after looking for something fun to do with her lab when she was young.
Competing with Kasey (3), Border Collie. " Kasey is a very special dog who is literally my best friend. I cannot wait to show off our incredible bond together."
Looking forward to IFCS. "I’m looking forward to attending IFCS in Switzerland this year with Kasey and to represent team USA on the international stage."
Jamie Lyle and Kasey
AMBER McCUNE
Bedford, New Hampshire
Amber is a dog trainer and owner of American K9 Country in Amherst, New Hampshire, a dog boarding, daycare, training and performance event facility that she opened in 2003 with her mother. “Dog agility was just starting to take off in the New England area, and once I saw how much dogs love the sport, I was hooked! I have been an avid competitor and trainer for over 20 years now.”
Competing with Typo (7), Border Collie. Amber describes Typo as a real-life cartoon character who loves every person and dog he meets, always greeting them with a little yodel and cute head tilt. “Although he is all business when on the agility course, lightning fast with super focus, once we're off the field he is a selfie-loving goofball that loves posing for photos and meeting new people! Typo's amazing personality is what makes him special.”
Looking forward to IFCS. “I am super excited to participate at the 2025 IFCS with my best friend, Typo, who loves the sport just as much as I do. He and I just love the excitement, huge courses and technical puzzles of the big events. I feel so lucky to be able to compete at such a high level in this sport.”
Amber McCune and Typo
TAWNI MILLET
Christiana, Tennessee
Tawni works as a full-time agility coach, first coming to the sport in 2004 with her Jack Russell Terrier, Buttons, when she was in 7th grade. Tawni is also an equestrian, which was her main focus until she began competing in agility in 2009. “I saw agility on TV, and it related to equestrian sports, which I thought was really cool. I set up a little jumping course in my yard and when my mom realized I was serious about it, she got me into lessons.”
Competing with Dazzle (4), Border Collie. “Dazzle is my homebred girl out of my heart dog, Little Sparkle. She is the third generation of my dogs, with her grandmother, Jolt, being the first and her uncle, Legendary, and mother being the second to compete at this event. Dazzle is a piece of Little Sparkle and a piece of my heart, so anything we get to do together is special.”
Looking forward to IFCS. “I’m so excited to get to run on the world stage with my girl again and to visit Switzerland this year. I think it’s one of the most beautiful countries.”
Tawni Millet and Dazzle
RACHEL MOLENAAR
Dracut, Massachusetts
Rachel is a high school math teacher who began competing in agility in 2009. “I heard about the sport when I was a college student and was immediately intrigued! I loved the idea of working with my dog to figure out how to get through a course together.”
Competing with Hazel (4), Papillon. Rachel describes Hazel as brave and spicy, but also a sweet girl who loves visiting Rachel’s students at school as much as she loves competing. “She thinks she is the boss of the world, and I love how she yells the whole time she does agility. Seeing her fly across the dogwalk fearlessly at full speed makes my heart sing. She always gives her entire being to every run; she’s the best agility partner I could ever imagine.”
Looking forward to IFCS. After leaving France last year, Rachel went home inspired by the European-style courses and watching her competitors lay down spectacular runs. “I went home with a list of things to polish and new skills to teach Hazel, and I'm looking forward to trying those big, fancy courses with our new and improved skills. I’m also looking forward to the camaraderie of being part of team USA. I love cheering on my teammates!”
Rachel Molenaar and Hazel
COURTNEY MOORE
Leander, Texas
Competing with Butter, Border Pap
Courtney Moore and Butter
KATE MOUREAUX
Simi Valley, California
Competing with Prize, Border Collie
Kate Moureaux and Prize
PAMELA REID
Hendersonville, North Carolina
Pamela is a certified applied animal behaviorist who works as the head of behavioral sciences for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “I have been competing in the sport of agility almost as long as it has been offered in the U.S. At the time, I lived in Canada where we didn’t have the sport yet. I started competing in 1989 with my Saluki; he was the first of his breed to earn an AD title (back when you only needed one clean run).”
Competing with Grifter (6, team) and Tweeker (3, individual), Female Sports Mixes. “Grifter and Tweeker (mother and daughter) both love running full out, as fast as they can go. While Grifter is very vocal about her enthusiasm for the sport, Tweeker is very quiet when she runs, unless I fail to direct her in time and then she might bark or growl at me. In fact, she often looks very calm and almost bored until I set her up at the start line, and then she’s all business.”
Looking forward to IFCS. “It’s been a few years since I competed at my last IFCS event in 2019, so I’m really looking forward to the excitement of an international event and seeing all the teams competing at such a high level.”
Pamela Reid and Grifter
FINLEY RICHGELS
Middleton, Wisconsin
Currently a radiation technology student at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, Finley grew up following in her mom’s agility footsteps, first competing at the age of 7. “I would join my mom when she was at competitions or agility classes. I was always interested in agility and loved getting to know each dog. I started learning how to handle courses in practice by running friends’ experienced dogs from a young age.”
Competing with Joker (7), Border Collie. “He is such a special dog to me. Before and after each of our runs, Joker always tries to be the loudest in the room to show his excitement and love for the sport!”
Looking forward to IFCS. “I am excited to compete against the other great teams on fast European courses. Running with Joker is always such fun, and I am grateful for all the trips he takes me on. Switzerland is also such a gorgeous country; I can't wait to go back!”
Finley Richgels and Joker
DESIREE SNELLEMAN
Sumner, Washington
Desiree works as a professional dog trainer, coach and mentor, first competing in agility in 2004. “After a series of injuries from competing in high-intensity sports, my spouse and I decided to get two Siberian Husky puppies in 2003 to get us back into shape. We were introduced to dog agility and never looked back! In 2005 I got my first Border Collie, Stinger, who led me down the path of more Border Collies. My now 16-year-old Border Collie, Pace, was on the USDAA IFCS WAC team for five years."
Competing with Peak (7), Border Collie. “Peak followed the same path as Pace in his very first IFCS WAC, earning a gold in both Biathlon Combined and Individual Jumping. He’s super fun to work with and an amazing athlete! When we’re not competing in agility, we love to hike in the Pacific Northwest.”
Looking forward to IFCS. “I really enjoy the format of having both individual and team competitions and am looking forward to attending with all of my teammates. The camaraderie and support amongst team members, connection with the coach, energy of the event and courses we will encounter are all things Peak and I enjoy throughout the entire event.”
Desiree Snelleman and Peak
REESE SPINDLE
Severn, Maryland
Reese is the associate director of facilities administration and operations at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Her love for agility began more than seven years ago with a spirited chocolate Havanese, Zorro, who turned her backyard into his personal agility course at just 4 months old. “I decided to seek out formal training to channel his enthusiasm and energy, and I was instantly hooked. Growing up, I competed with my quarter horse, Doc, so returning to a competitive arena through agility felt like the perfect way to reignite that passion. It’s been a rewarding and exhilarating journey ever since.”
Competing with Havana (3), Miniature Poodle. Reese describes Havana as a bold and brilliant dog who was born to run agility. “What makes her so special is the way she trusts me with her whole heart. Every time we step to the line, she gives me everything she has — barking the entire way through just to show me how fired up she is to run her poms off. Her competitive drive might actually be stronger than mine, and she thrives on the energy and excitement of the sport.”
Looking forward to IFCS. After overcoming an illness in France last year and ending up in the hospital, Reese and Havana missed making the podium for Gambler’s Run by a teeter’s inch. More than anything, Reese is looking forward to the opportunity to step to the line with Havana again and represent Team USA on the international stage. “After all we've overcome, including both of us coming back from injury, this year feels especially meaningful. I’m also really looking forward to trading gear with other handlers and making new friends from around the world. I never imagined how many incredible people I’d meet through this sport; it’s truly one of the best parts of the journey.”
Reese Spindle and Havana
JANET TERRY
Humble, Texas
Janet is an optometrist who has been involved in agility since 1998, originally competing with a Sheltie named Mollie in obedience classes. “After taking classes for some time, I decided it might be a little too slow for her. We decided to give agility a try and loved it. Agility has created a great life of new friends and travel.”
Competing with Scenic (4), Border Collie. “Scenic loves agility and is very driven; she can be spicy and makes me laugh all the time. Scenic is very vocal and will let you know how she feels about everything.”
Looking forward to IFCS. “I love the team camaraderie and am looking forward to testing our skills with some of the best in the world.”
Janet Terry and Scenic
HEATHER WITT
Easton, Connecticut
Heather is a dog trainer and agility coach. “I’ve been doing agility for about 10 years. I became involved because of my love of dogs, and it was a natural transition from horse show jumping.”
Competing with Rowan (10½), Shetland Sheepdog. “Rowan is probably one of the smallest dogs at the event, but hands down she is one of the loudest. She loves the atmosphere of the big events!”
Looking forward to IFCS. “I am looking forward to running some exciting courses, the team camaraderie, and seeing friends from the other competing countries.”
Heather Witt and Rowan