Trainee Dog Teams

Laura Connolly & Jake
Tom Barkas & Bruach
Ollie Benson & Kitt
Nick Fayers & Sam
Joy Grindrod & Einich
Penny Kirby & Olli
John Leadbetter & Skye
Rick Outhwaite & Col


Puppies waiting to start





Laura Connolly and Jake
Laura is a member of Cockermouth MRT and works as a Physiotherapist. Jake started training at the end of 2006 when he was 2 years old and is enjoying the challenges.

Laura was a dogsbody (and very good at getting the young dogs to bark) and then decided to train a dog. Laura (who has the distinction of being born at the National Mountaineering Centre in Wales) has always had a love of the outdoors and has even been mad enough to compete in some local triathlons and fell races. Laura and Jake commenced assessments in May 08 - hoping to grade in later summer.


Tom Barkas and Bruach
Tom is a member of Kendal MRT and started training his border collie puppy Bruach in June 2008. Tom is retired but extremely active - walking the fells every day.

Ollie Benson and Kitt
Olly is a member of Langdale Ambleside MRT and is training his gorgeous border collie bitch Kitt. Kitt is related to searchdogs Ginny and Dottie and trainees Beinn, Blue, Skye and Blisstic and exhibits their lovely temperament! Olly is a Development Training Consultant at Brathay Trust and spends much of his time fell running. Kitt passed her formal registration test in March 2007 and is already showing signs of great promise - she loves finding the bodies!!



Nick Fayers and Sam
Nick is a member of Langdale Ambleside and is training his border collie Sam - Nick's previous searchdog Yana retired in 2007 after 6 years service to the Association. Nick is a Development Training Consultant at Brathay Trust and spends much of his spare time with his family.

Joy Grindrod and Einich
Joy is a member of Langdale Ambleside MRT and is training her beautiful (and wilful) border collie bitch Einich. Einich is Joy's second dog - having been partnered by Anna for 13 years. Joy is an artist and has exhibited widely (including at the National Mountaineering Exhibition at Rheged). Already at 10 months (at Feb 08) Einich is showing great promise and loves the game of search. Joy is an Assessor with the association.

Penny Kirby and Olli
Penny is a member of Wasdale MRT and is currently working her searchdog Pippi who graded in December 2004. She started training with her lively border collie Olli after passing her formal registration test. Ollie will be the fourth searchdog that Penny trains so she must be doing something right! Penny is also an assessor with the Association.

John Leadbetter and Skye
John used to be a SARDA Lakes body and member of Duddon and Furness MRT, then moved South and for a short while had started training Skye with SARDA England. John and his wife moved back to the Lakes in Summer 2007 and he and Skye passed their initial registration with SARDA Lakes in August 2007. Skye aleady shows great promise!

Rick Outhwaite and Col
Ric is a member of Cockermouth MRT and is training his third dog. His two previous dogs Arrow and Bo (Spot the name connection!) served the association for many years. Ric is Chair of the Association and an assessor and is married to handler Kirk Outhwaite and works for a Local Authority. Ric and Col passed their formal registration test in March 2007 and as with the other new trainees are looking very promising.







Waiting in the wings


Glen Hodges (Penrith MRT) and Molly



Mike Blakey (Patterdale MRT) and Moss


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