Susan Scelzi’s love affair with animals began at a very young age. Every year for Christmas and her birthday she would ask for a pony and a dog. Her parents got her a turtle, then a cat. She finally received a dog for seventh birthday (she never did get the pony!). After getting married and owning her first Rhodesian Ridgeback, she has been avidly participating in competitive obedience. Starting as a pooper-scooper in an obedience class, she worked her way through the ranks to trainer and finally owner of Blue Ribbon Dog Training School in Bohemia NY.

All of her dogs have titles in obedience, rally obedience, agility, lure coursing, and her new passion: K9 nose work. She is the first CNWI (Certified Nose Work Instructor) on Long Island. Her dog Riki holds the honor of being the first Rhodesian Ridgeback to earn his NW1 and NW3 title in the country. Susan and Riki were beaten to the NW2 title by a team in California who earned their title one week before Susan and Riki.

Nose work is opening new doors for people who believed that they could never have fun competing with their dogs. Any dog can participate in this sport – it is not physically strenuous for the handler or dog, but mentally challenging for the dogs, resulting in a tired and happy dog. There is little expense required to participate in the sport, and you can have fun with your dog with some boxes, a parked vehicle, a room indoors and an outdoor area.

Home life for Susan includes a husband of 36 years, two grown children, a dog, a new puppy and a cat. She has retired from the VA hospital after 34 years and has taken on dog training full time.

For more info on K9 Nose Work and Blue Ribbon Dog Training School please visit: www.blueribbondogschool.com.