Officers
President – Peggy Bradford
In 1988 I enrolled in an SMKC obedience class after acquiring a golden retriever puppy. I was mentored by Frances Tilghman, obedience class chair at the time, and with her guidance began actively showing my dog in obedience. I am a long time obedience instructor and over the years have served on the board in every capacity except secretary, spending 10 years as the club’s treasurer. I have watched the club grow from a small group of dog enthusiasts to the amazing organization it is today. I am proud to have been a part of the growth and will be forever grateful to the club for introducing me to the people who have become my closest friends.
1st Vice President – Diane Spalding
I’ve been a member of SMKC since 1985 During that time I have taught handling, obedience and agility. I bred Mastiffs for 25 years And had great success in the Breed ring. I also had two obedience Mastiffs.
I was president of the club Four times, was Obedience Chair for 10 years, Trial Secretary for five. I am currently agility trial and class chair.
I have shown many breeds in Agility and Obedience – English Cocker, Golden Retrievers, Shelties, Poodle,
Over the years I have attended many seminars, camps and taken private lessons from top trainers, to learn and bring ideas back to the club for our students it has been a fun journey (I counted 37 different camps and seminars)
I was also the girls tennis coach at Bennett HS for five years.
Most recently my golden Sizzle had success in the breed ring where she won a Reserve High in Trial and many group placements. She now has agility, Rally and obedience titles and loves her therapy work.
2nd Vice President – Jeanine Dennis
I am a Past President and have served on various committees since joining SMKC over 25 years ago. I have served as Obedience as Agility Trial Secretary.
I breed and exhibit English Cocker Spaniels in conformation, obedience and agility venues. I hold a Ph. D. in Animal Nutrition and retired four years ago. After retirement I started a quilting and embroidery business and recently expanded to make dog beds, mats, crate pads and crate covers.
Treasurer – Bonnie Garris
I came to SMKC in late 2001 to get an out of control Miniature Schnauzer under control. Before I knew what was happening I was hooked on Obedience. Tee, the out of control one, had his RE and CD, Breeze had a RE and CDX as well as Kane. Eclipse is in training for Obedience and Agility. After being a club member for a couple of years I was asked to be Secretary. I am currently the Treasurer and the stand alone Obedience Trail Chair.
Secretary – Holly Mills
My name is Holly Mills and I have been a member of SMKC for several years. I have shown in confirmation, obedience, and presently in agility. I have served in various capacities in Southern Maryland Dog Training Club with over 10 years of obedience teaching. I have finished 5 dogs with dual titles in breed and obedience and one to utility.
I am retired from NSA, live in Rehoboth Beach with my husband, and two mini Poodles.
AKC Delegate – Karen Cottingham
I joined SMKC in 1987, taking both Obedience and Conformation classes with my first show dogs. As Puppy Kindergarten became a recognized training system across the country, I joined Diane Spalding in teaching the course for SMKC. When AKC encouraged clubs to offer the Canine Good Citizen test, I became one of the club’s CGC Instructors and Evaluators. I have titled five different breeds of dogs from three AKC Groups in Conformation, Obedience, Rally, and Trick Dog. I have bred and co-owned Junior & Senior Hunters. I have been awarded Breeder of the Year of the Sussex Spaniel Club of America. I have served as an SMKC officer and Board Member numerous times over the past three decades, and am now proud to represent SMKC as our AKC Delegate.
Board Members
Georgia Yost Perdue
I have been a member of SMKC since the 90s with a long history of conformation showing of multiple champions of multiple breeds. I have served on the Board as both Secretary and President multiple years and am currently the President of the Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club Charitable Trust Board. I am an Instructor, Conformation/handling chair and a Breeder of Merit and co-breeder and co-owner of Sussex Spaniels. I currently serve on the Board of the Sussex Spaniel Club of America and have co-chaired National Specialties. Currently I am owned by two Sussex Spaniels at home and I also have a Standard Poodle.
I am working dogs in conformation, agility, therapy, FastCat, obedience and rally and have a Champion Sussex working on a Hunt title. I am a certified CGC instructor and tester and enjoy working with new dog owners. Each year you can find me working at our November Cluster and as Co-Chair along with helping with show n go’s, conformation/handling classes, RDO day and other activities of the club.
I am a Nurse Practitioner and have a doctorate in nursing working full-time in the medical field. I live in Salisbury, am widowed, and have a son, daughter-in- law and two grandchildren.
Cathin Bishop
April Clyde
Bev Horner
I joined SMKC in 2005 when my incorrigible Golden Retriever Toby was a puppy. With the help of many instructors and the encouragement of SMKC members, we discovered his true calling was as a Therapy Dog. He was SMKC’s first AKC Distinguished Therapy Dog and at his death had over 2100 visits to area nursing homes, assisted living facilities and schools.
I was the Canine Ambassador for a few years and helped share the love of dogs and safety around dogs to area schools and at special events.
I have helped with agility trials, FastCat events and spearhead the Christmas Donations for the Humane Society of Wicomico County as well as being the assistant trophy chair for the November Shows.
For almost 14 years, my dogs and I have been volunteers with Pets on Wheels of Delmarva, Inc. and for the last 10 have been the Wicomico County Coordinator of the program.
I am also a board member of the SMKC Charitable Trust.
Currently, I have 2 Golden Retrievers, Sully and Chesley, who are also therapy dogs, and a Black Lab, Westie.