USDAA Hall of Fame Inductees 2024
Patty Drom, Vincent Madeiros and Betsie Bolger join esteemed group.
Each year for more than three decades, USDAA has recognized individuals and groups who have contributed to the sport’s development and growth, regionally and/or nationally. Those whose contributions are deemed to be of lasting significance through service to USDAA and the sport are honored with induction into the Hall of Fame. Congratulations to our 2024 inductees: Patty Drom, Vincent Madeiros and Betsie Bolger.
Pioneer of Dog Agility: Patty Drom
Patty Drom of Wylie, Texas, began training dogs in 1985 and has been active in obedience, rally and agility since 1986. She joined Dallas Agility Working Group in the mid-1980s, shortly after it was founded as one of the first agility clubs in the United States. She was a member of the first judging corps and has judged at countless local, regional and national events. In 2024 she retired as owner and instructor at Dallas Dog Sports, which she founded in 1995.
Patty Drom
USDAA trials at her facility provided an opportunity for the sport to grow in the area. Patty has taught hundreds of students over the years and always encouraged them to participate in her favorite venue, USDAA. Through her leadership she instilled in her students the importance of volunteerism to the sport of dog agility. Many of her students could be seen helping at USDAA local trials, regionals and special events. And many have gone on to be top competitors and contributors to the agility community. She was very instrumental in the growth of agility throughout North Texas and across the United States.
Meritorious Service: Vincent Madeiros
Vincent Madeiros, of Bernville, Pennsylvania, got his start in agility in Bermuda in 2003. After serving on various kennel club boards, he began researching agility clubs that accepted non-purebred dogs, as he felt that there must be more titling activities for them. He explored USDAA and formed a club called International Dog Events Association (IDEA) to host the trials along with his business, Good Dog 101. Once the equipment was purchased, documentation was sent to the office and approval was received for USDAA agility trials to begin in Bermuda under the banner of Good Dog 101 and IDEA.
Vincent Madeiros and Dewalt, Cynosport 2019
In 2008, Vincent and his wife, Cindy, moved to Pennsylvania, where he continues to run his dog training business. Vincent teaches several group and private agility lessons per week and always encourages handlers to compete in USDAA. In 2021, Good Dog 101 started hosting USDAA trials to fill a need for more events in the area.
Vincent continues to promote USDAA in his business and personal life. He is a key competitor in USDAA events and volunteers for clubs, assisting with setup, ring crew and chief course building.
Volunteer of the Year: Betsie Bolger
Betsie Bolger of Dallas, Texas, has always been involved with horses and dogs. When she stopped training horses, she started competing in agility with a Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix named Coco from the SPCA of Texas. She now competes with four of her six rescue dogs.
Betsie Bolger and Coco
A longtime freelance writer for several blogs and publications, Betsie volunteered several years ago to help write for USDAA’s OVERview. Her local and national connections in the agility community give her access to unique, personal stories for the monthly e-news/digital magazine, such as a rescued Aussie who was named 2024 Therapy Dog of the Year, an insider’s look at her own first time as trial chair (2023), and a helpful article for handlers to know when it’s time to retire their dog. She was also part of the writing team behind the May and June 2023 issues of OVERview that earned first place in the Dog Writers Association of America’s annual writing competition in their respective categories.
In addition to writing for USDAA, Betsie continues to be a cheerleader and advocate for the organization, promoting it on social media and with newcomers.