High Schooler Competes In A Growing Dog Sport
Kalli Gambill-Donley secured second place on July 2, after her dog Lucy competed in a relay styled hurdle event at Erie County Fairgrounds.
The dog sport competition, named flyball, is when “Dogs run over four jumps. Then they jump on a box that triggers a ball to pop out, catch it and return over the four jumps,” said Gambill-Donley.
Shenanigans Unleashed, Gambill-Donley’s team, participated in a team race, running four dogs together consecutively, for the first time in Liscence to Chill flyball competition.
A team best of 20.5 seconds was set after a large amount of preparation. “My team practices every Friday for two hours. The dogs do not run the whole time, but take turns with others,” said …show more content…
“For each run you earn points depending on if you win or lose and what place you come in,” said Gambill-Donley. “We are more focused on the experience and exercising our dogs.” Her team is unconcerned about points and winning, but if they do they are grateful and excited.
In addition to the experience, the junior handler has gained another support system that feels similar to family. Meeting new people and spending time with them was a one of her favorite activities from her experience thus far.
Family bonding has also come from her involvement in the dog sport. The team ball shagger is her little brother, and Gambill-Donley’s mother is the handler for her dog Juliet. While Juliet runs in the same relay as Lucy, Benvolio, her mother’s 14 week old puppy, is patiently waiting his turn. Gambill-Donley said, “Dogs have to be 1 year old” to partake in tournaments.
All of her dogs tent camp with the family on tournament weekends. Although most fairgrounds have camper hookups, most of her team camps with their dogs in tents. However, this is not always the case because Lucy has severe storm anxiety. Dog friendly hotels are where they temporarily reside during storms on tournament
Kalli Gambill-Donley secured second place on July 2, after her dog Lucy competed in a relay styled hurdle event at Erie County Fairgrounds.
The dog sport competition, named flyball, is when “Dogs run over four jumps. Then they jump on a box that triggers a ball to pop out, catch it and return over the four jumps,” said Gambill-Donley.
Shenanigans Unleashed, Gambill-Donley’s team, participated in a team race, running four dogs together consecutively, for the first time in Liscence to Chill flyball competition.
A team best of 20.5 seconds was set after a large amount of preparation. “My team practices every Friday for two hours. The dogs do not run the whole time, but take turns with others,” said …show more content…
“For each run you earn points depending on if you win or lose and what place you come in,” said Gambill-Donley. “We are more focused on the experience and exercising our dogs.” Her team is unconcerned about points and winning, but if they do they are grateful and excited.
In addition to the experience, the junior handler has gained another support system that feels similar to family. Meeting new people and spending time with them was a one of her favorite activities from her experience thus far.
Family bonding has also come from her involvement in the dog sport. The team ball shagger is her little brother, and Gambill-Donley’s mother is the handler for her dog Juliet. While Juliet runs in the same relay as Lucy, Benvolio, her mother’s 14 week old puppy, is patiently waiting his turn. Gambill-Donley said, “Dogs have to be 1 year old” to partake in tournaments.
All of her dogs tent camp with the family on tournament weekends. Although most fairgrounds have camper hookups, most of her team camps with their dogs in tents. However, this is not always the case because Lucy has severe storm anxiety. Dog friendly hotels are where they temporarily reside during storms on tournament