SOTC is a non-profit dog training club
Our Mission
SOTC is dedicated to using positive methods to train dogs through a variety of methods to be good companions for the owners and responsible and well behaved members of our community.
We strive to use positive training methods in our classes to enhance the partership that we all desire to have with our beloved pets. We are here for those who are beginning to train their new puppy or rescue dog and for those who want to compete with their dogs in trials and events.
Our Board Members
President: Jan Wencel
My affiliation with SOTC began 10 years ago when I enrolled in puppy class with my Labrador Retriever puppy. A year later I joined the club; continued in obedience, scentwork and agility classes as a student; and volunteered as an assistant instructor. Currently I have three dogs that I am training in scentwork and obedience: Casey, my 11-year-old fox red Labrador; Tigger, my 5-year-old Boxer; and Guss who is a 15 month old Wirehaired Vizsla. I know…… different breeds, different learning styles……it’s a challenge.
Presently I am ending a 1.5-year term as a Director at Large on the SOTC Board. This was not my first time on the Board as I served previously as President for 3 years (2015-2018). During my tenure as President, the Board moved forward with significant facility and program actions that supported the growth of the Club’s class programs and competitive events, increased income, and protected the club as an organization.
Now retired, my professional employment background includes 20 years of experience in college administration and teaching, five years in business operations, and 18 years in research and grants administration at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. The common themes are skills in program management, working with people, customer service, teaching, policy development, budget development and expenditures, and writing. I bring these skill areas to the tasks and responsibilities of the Board and the management of SOTC.
SOTC is such a unique resource. Our club is incredibly lucky to own an accessible air-conditioned space for learning and practice, and an equipped and lighted agility field; and have the financial resources to support the space, the activities and the members. Many dog club organizations are not that lucky. Our membership is also a unique resource, and I encourage our members to share their time and skills in service to SOTC.
Vice President: Melinda Mello
Secretary: Sally Booker
Treasurer: Ginny Dorris
My name is Ginny Dorris and I have been the SOTC Treasurer for the past three years. During this time, I have made a number of advances in the club’s financial data tracking and reporting, which now allows us to create detailed expense statements for each program area. I look forward to continuing this to develop longitudinal financial data reporting.
To SOTC, I bring a professional background that includes significant experience in accounting, taxes, and business management. I worked as a licensed accredited accountant for some years in the state of California. After moving to Florida, I opened an accounting service that is still in operation by my son. Since 1986, I have had Enrolled Agent status which allows me to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. In 1998 I started NELCO, a professional employer organization, which was named the largest woman-owned business in the Tampa Bay Area for four years. I sold NELCO in 2008 which has given me more time to spend with my three children, seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren………and dogs.
From 1975 to 2000, I bred and showed Dalmatians and Bull Mastiffs. In 2002, I started showing Standard Poodles which I continue to do today. In 2007, I added Toy Poodles and Chinese Cresteds to my repertoire, and I have had the country’s number one Crested for six of the past seven years. In 2019, my co-owned Chinese Crested took first place in Bred by Exhibitor, Toy Group at the AKC Nationals. In 2020, this same dog got his third breed win at Westminster. I have also won Breed at Crufts in both Standard Poodles and Chinese Cresteds and have sold both to individuals throughout the world.
Additionally, I am expanding into the performance area, specifically Rally.
In addition to my breeding activities, I have held positions in local and national dog clubs including:
Director of Tampa Bay Poodle Club, 2007 to 2019
Treasurer of Manatee Kennel Club, 2009 to 2018
Treasurer of American Chinese Crested Club, 2017 to 2019
President of Manatee Kennel Club, 2019 & 2020
Donna Keston :Member at Large
I am still a newbie where SOTC is concerned as I’ve only been a member since the fall of 2020. Also my 3 year old mini poodle named Essy is the first dog I’ve ever trained in competitive sports.
When I first joined the Club, Betty Dimmick was my mentor. I asked if I could do the apprentice program so I could assist Marylou with her puppies. It was a wonderful learning experience and Betty was an excellent teacher. I am still assisting with the puppies on Thursdays and just love it !
In my former life my I have held various roles in Corporate Finance, I started in Public Accounting as an Auditor. I moved to Corporate Tax, and ended as a SVP of Finance with an international direct marketing company where I was in charge of Planning, Budgeting and Client Profitability.
I am looking forward to the new year and the new position. I feel we have a good working Board and know we will be able to meet the needs of the Club and maybe even exceed expectations.
Betty Dimmick: Member at Large
Kim Himmelfarb :Member at Large
Kim started her dog training and competition career in the AKC Miscellaneous Class in 1982, with her first Pharaoh Hound. Her next dog, a Pharaoh Hound from the first litter ever registered directly in the AKC Stud Book, was her first AKC champion. From 1983 to the present, Kim has owned seven different Vizslas, including 3rd and 4th generation AKC Best In Show dogs, and the breed’s first Best In Show winning Master Hunter. She has trained and competed with her dogs in Conformation, Pointing Breed Hunt Tests, Pointing Breed Field Trials, Obedience, Rally, Agility, Coursing Ability, FastCat, Barn Hunt, AKC Scent Work, and UKC Nosework.
In addition to her SOTC membership, Kim is a member of the Vizsla Club of America, Tampa Bay Vizsla Club, and Connecticut Valley Vizsla Club. Her prior club experience includes being Corresponding Secretary for the Vizsla Club of America from 1999-2009; holding every office, including President, multiple times, and directorships, for the Connecticut Valley Vizsla Club between 1984 and 2018; serving as a Field Trial Secretary and Hunt Test Secretary on multiple occasions; and Co-Chairing the Vizsla Club of America National Specialty and Companion Events in 2000. Presently, she is Vice President of the Tampa Bay Vizsla Club.
our volunteer staff
Joni Corcoran: Webmaster, DogBizPro Administrator
Joni Corcoran joined SOTC 5 years ago with her Goldendoodle Finn. However, she has been a life long dog lover and hasn’t been without a dog since she was 13 years old. Joni and Finn enjoy
Scentwork, Rally, Agility and Tricks so far. Her last two dogs have been trained therapy dogs and Finn is nationally certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Joni is a retired elementary teacher and has a Masters in Education and in Instructional Technology. She has served on numerous non-profit boards in the past, including ShelterBox USA, DisasterAid, and Companion Animal Program. In these capacities, she has worked to improve communication between members and board members, utilize the latest technology to improve efficiency, and create an atmosphere where all members feel welcomed and valued.
Joni has been the chief technology assistant to the board for the last 2 years, creating the current website, updating it as needed, learning the DogBizPro software and using it for
registrations for classes and events, as well as communication with students and instructors. She enjoys working on improving our great Dog Club through innovation, better communication between members, and valuing all members and their interests equally.
*Bachelor of Science Biology, Lehman College, NYC
*Master of Science in Elementary Education, Lehman College, NYC
*Master of Science in Instructional Technology with Honors, NY Institute of Technology
*Volunteer with Alliance of Therapy Dogs
Sherry Banzi: Membership Coordinator
June Plank: Obedience Director
Kristi Kita: Agility Director
Janet Wyatt: Scentwork Director
I have been a member of Sarasota Obedience Training Club since 2014, beginning my journey with my Belgian Tervuren, Marieke, and Amstaff, Lola. During those early years I instructed the Beginner 1 and 2 classes, and became a CGC evaluator. In 2018 I became the Scentwork instructor, bringing in a new and exciting fun venue with dogs that was just beginning to take hold in the Florida area. Since those early days scent work has grown substanially, and the Club should be proud of the representation by dozens of teams competing successfully throughout the area. I have been a Certifying Official for Nosework under United Kennel Club since 2019. Training Background: -40+ years in dog training -15 years Volunteer Search and Rescue – Secretary for the team’s BOD -New K-9 personal team leader -New teams Wilderness K-9 instructor -Several dogs Nationally Certified in Wilderness and Human Remains Detection -Currently: Scentwork Director/Instructor for SOTC – instructing all levels. -Certifying Official UKC Nosework -Certifying Official USCSS -Other Background: Bookkeeper for several small businesses Licensed Veterinary Technologist (BS) – retired Personal Dog Trainer/problem solver -Other Volunteer Organizations: Trinity United Methodist Church – newsletter Secretary – church Pastor’s Commitee Member at Large – Saddle Creek Association
Joan Leopold: Trial Chair