The Kennel Club has announced the five finalists for the KCAI Trainer of the Year award and the public vote is now open to choose the winning trainer, to be announced at Crufts 2017.
Now in its third year, the KCAI Trainer of the Year award recognises the outstanding talents of KCAI scheme members who go that extra mile to make a difference for dogs’ lives and their human families.
Dog owners were invited to nominate dog training instructors or canine behaviourists who are members of the KCAI scheme. In total, nearly 500 nominations were received for over 35 scheme members located throughout the UK.
Five finalists have been announced for the KCAI Trainer of the Year award and voting is now open for the public to choose their favourite.
The finalists are:
- Martha Brindley KCAI (CD GCDS), Ayrshire
- Patricia Godfrey, Derbyshire
- Louise Ince KCAI (HTMA), Kent
- Sarah Lindsey KCAI (CDA), Somerset
- Caroline Penistone KCAI (CD), North Yorkshire
The finalists were shortlisted by a panel of judges consisting of representatives from the Kennel Club. The judges based their decisions on the following criteria: making a positive difference to the behaviour of dogs, changing the lives of dogs and/or people; helpfulness and dedication; and making a positive contribution in their wider community.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: “The award provides us with a fantastic opportunity to recognise the hard work and achievements of dog trainers making a difference for dogs and their owners’ lives. All of the finalists are deserving winners based on their achievements. We wish them all the best of luck.”
The finalists will attend a ceremony held at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, on Saturday 11th March 2017. Here their contribution to dog training will be recognised and the winner of the KCAI Trainer of the Year award will be announced.
Voting will close at 12 noon on 30th January 2017.