Erica Etchason BS, CPDT-KA

Owner, Canine Swim Coach

Erica Etchason has been involved in Canine Water Sports since 2006. Erica’s water training philosophy is to build joy around water, joy that will build confident, safe swimmers.  A structured water program allows dogs of all breeds, shapes, sizes, and experience to enjoy swimming.  Erica trains and competes in many venues, but her passion is in water work. Currently Erica has achieved over 40 Canine Water Sports merits with her three Newfoundland’s and a Water Dog and Water Rescue Dog Title from the Newfoundland Club of America with Molly.  Erica and her Newfoundland’s have earned Canine Water Sports merits in the Team Swim, Retrieve, Underwater, and Towing categories.  Erica and her dog Fozzie is the only team to earn a Certificate in AquaAgility from Canine Water Sports.  Erica has worked with many breeds both water loving and water challenged. Erica spent almost a decade teaching in-door pool classes at What A Good Dog in PA. She now owns and runs her business 4 Paws Adrift at Marty's Place Senior Dog Sanctuary where she teaches swim classes, and runs underwater treadmill therapy sessions.  Erica is also co-owner of an off-leash dog camp called Camp Unleashed.  Erica’s newest program is Dremel Like a Boss.  It is an online membership to coach owners to Dremel their dog’s nails.  Jibe, Erica’s current Newfoundland, works hard in her training videos and loves doing all the things.  Jibe sometimes has the pleasure of hanging out in the office waiting for a pet or for Erica to take her out for some training.

Beth Logue, BS, RN

Advisor

Beth has been involved with animals since childhood, first competing in hunter/jumpers and dressage with her horses, then switching to canine sports in 1997. She has successfully titled her dogs in USDAA, NADAC and AKC Agility, NAFA and U-FLI Flyball, Canine Water Sports & Barn Hunt.

 

With her former dogs, Kimber & Shadow, Beth was a member of Fur Fun Flyball Team. During that time, they were on the North American Flyball Association (NAFA) Regional Multibreed Champion Team 5 years in a row. With Fur Fun, Beth and her dogs participated in many demos including halftime shows for the Harlem Globetrotters and New York Jets. More recently, Beth is the co-captain of Happily Evfur After Flyball Team which earned the NAFA Regional Multibreed Championship in 2018. She is also the owner & captain of Merry Mutts Flyball U-FLI Team, which was one of the 2018 Top Ten Variety Teams in the US.

 

Her dogs Roo & Banzai were the first two dogs to ever earn an Apprentice Title in Canine Water Sports. Her dogs Roo, Banzai and Ricochet were also the first dogs to successfully complete several of the Shoreline Skills Tasks. She has earned over 60 Canine Water Sports Merits with her dogs thus far.

 

In addition to the dogs mentioned above, Beth has 2 young dogs, Geronimo & Vegas which are just beginning their sports careers in Flyball, Canine Water Sports & Barn Hunt.

Lauren Blackson, DVM CCRP

Owner of Peak Performance Canine Rehabilitation & Agility

Lauren Blackson, DVM, CCRP pursued a bachelors degree in Animal Science at the University of Delaware, and then went on to complete her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida in 2018. While in veterinary school, Dr. Lauren also became a Certified Canine Rehab Practitioner (CCRP) through the University of Tennessee and a Certified Fear Free Practitioner. In 2019, she also completed her Walkin' Wheels Certification, enabling her to fit wheel chairs for disabled canines. In 2019, Dr. Lauren opened Peak Performance to combine her love for teaching dog agility with her passion of canine rehabilitation. While her main interest is in keeping the canine athlete fit and prepared for competition, she also enjoys working on improving pain management and quality of life in geriatric patients as well as the management and care of neurologic patients.

When not working in veterinary rehab, Lauren competes in and teaches dog agility.  Lauren has competed in multiple venues including AKC, USDAA, UKI, and CPE but mostly focuses on USDAA and UKI currently.  Lauren first began teaching agility as a volunteer assistant for the Academy of Dog Training and Agility (ADTA) in 2008.  In the last 10 years, Lauren has taught all levels of agility from foundation classes up through the masters level as well as private lessons.  Lauren's favorite part of teaching is being able to watch teams progress throughout their training and achieve their goals.  \

Dr. Blackson will be treating dogs on the FIRST Tuesday of each month.  She will be offering services that include: 

• Body work
• Laser therapy
• Take home exercises
• Guidance on specific exercises to use when in our pool and under water treadmill will also be provided as needed