One of a handful of married couples that compete in agility, Mike and Alison can also count themselves amongst the very few couples who actually met on the agility field. Since they were both competitors before they met, both with shelties that look nearly identical, it should come as no surprise that the only criteria for their first home was hardwood floors and a backyard big enough for an agility field. The couple are proud to annouce that their first child is due on July 8, 2010!

Ten years as a high-level gymnast left Alison as a naturally competitive athlete. That drive, paired with her love for dogs, led her to the sport of agility. She got Sadie as a birthday present for her 18th birthday. She was still involved with gymnastics and dabbling in modeling at that time, and didn't know what the future would hold for Sadie and herself. It wasn't until she took her to puppy kindergarten in 2002 that she was exposed to the wonderful and exciting sport of agility.

Mike has been competing in Agility since 2007 with his sheltie, Tommy, who was adopted from Triangle Sheltie Rescue. Mike and Tommy have worked hard to overcome the issues that arise with second-hand dogs to rise to the Excellent B level of AKC agility competition in just 18 months. The team completed their first AKC Jumpers title in their very first weekend of AKC agility competition.