Nancy has been with ballwalkpark since March 2011. She originally came on to help me with puppy visits for Jambo, the now 2.5yr old Golden Retriever. Nancy takes a small pack of very devoted pups to the park on Thursday and Fridays, along with her awesome Jack Russell Terrier, Woody. The rest of the week you can find Nancy walking the pups of Queen Anne and visiting puppies.
Why ballwalkpark had to have Nancy
I have known Nancy for over 15 years, I lived in her basement at one point in time, and she has grounded me once or twice. She is my best friends mom, and a close friend of mine. When said she was interested in helping out with ballwalkpark, it was an easy decision to hire my first employee. What began as a little help has turned into two years of full time dogs and she is a fundamental part of ballwalkpark.
Nancy has always had dogs in her life, and took part in raising several hunting retrievers. She had a solid understanding of dogs and dog behavior at day one, and it has only improved with experience. I remember many BBQ's at Nancy's house where all the kids were there and we all had our dogs with us - one time there were 6 people and 9 dogs. Nancy whipped up a delicious meal while dodging 9 dogs in between the BBQ and the kitchen. If that doesn't say you're a dog person, I don't know what does.
When Nancy started out with puppy visits, I quickly realized the extreme value she added to ballwalkpark. While I try to get dogs as tired as possible and focus on the pack dynamic, Nancy gives the dogs the caring, nurturing touch. She takes the time every morning to wipe the sleepys out of their eyes and give extra belly rubs to help them wake up. Every puppy that she has worked with has grown up to have the sweetest demeanor, and I know Nancy's loving care has played a role in it.
Outside of ballwalkpark
When Nancy isn't strolling the streets with ballwalkpark pups, she is cruising around the PNW in a vintage Airstream trailer on weekend trips, traveling to Hawaii to visit her oldest daughter, hanging at local art shows selling surf paintings (Holm Surf Art) with her husband, or tasting night at Chucks Hop Shop with her youngest daughter.