Greatdogs Know

As we begin the process of preparing the next group of Collies to contribute to early workforce development - I wanted to take a quick minute to reintroduce to you - our team of Collie Connections Ambassadors! These accomplished Collies are getting their clothes ready to meet new friends in our upcoming Flagship!

Collie Connections is an early workforce initiative that connects youth, employers and the community to develop the skills employers say are needed most. The Collies serve as intentional personnel, and connections catalysts - building patterns of trust, confidence, and safety to grow.

We can't WAIT to share our learning journey with you!
Stay tuned for more information!

Reflecting, and summoning my 20 seconds of insane courage...
This weekend, Link steps into the ring just 0.5 points away from earning his Sapphire Grand Champion title.
Achieving this isn't just a title, or a scavenger hunt - it is the culmination of effort, relationship and grind that dreams are made of. It's the kind of achievement that only comes from showing up, again and again, even when no one is watching.
What truly makes this journey, for me, is the contribution this incredible Collie has made in the world - through the Collie Connections Program by day, aloft his presence in the ring, mirrors that for which he gives back to the youth who are learning, growing and discovering their full potential.
Link's greatest legacy isn't found in the show ring.
During the week, he's a Collie Ambassador for the Collie Connections program, helping young people discover confidence, communication, resilience, and connection - essential employability skills that elevate our next generation of leaders. Then, on the weekends, he is "ALL IN" quietly reminding me how vital these qualities are for our youth - demonstrating patience, consistency, trust, and perseverance. The same qualities that youth need to thrive today, and tomorrow, are the very qualities that create excellence in the ring.
Link is currently ranked once again among the UKC Top Ten Collies, per the most recent update, and is also nationally ranked within the Herding Group. Those accomplishments make me proud, but they will never define him. His greatest achievement is, and always will be the impact he makes on our future generation!
Here's to one more weekend, one more opportunity, and believing that extraordinary things happen when preparation meets courage.
This is why I UKC.
💙 Wish us luck.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DGKXywTR6/

Today was a GREAT DAY! I was blessed with the opportunity to share my passion and purpose with others.

Jaelynn, a Collie Connections Alumni, accompanied Dylan and I to Community Veterinary Clinic for his wellness check up.

I spent the day with Jae, sharing our future Collie Ambassadors with the community at Troy Rec, and we wrapped up the day with this visit.

The team (Cody) at Community Vet are some of my very favorite people, and sharing their incredible work with Jaelynn today brought my heart full-circle.

Happy 9th Cassie Barlow

Happy 9 Year SOCHEversary, Cassie!🎉⭐👏

Your leadership and passion for our mission continue to inspire us. We appreciate all that you do for SOCHE and our community!💙

The Collie Ambassadors, and youth leaders are gearing up and heading out to this exciting event!

Come one come all! Experience the power of unconditional love and leadership in action!

Our station will feature:
Youth Leaders learning and growing
🐾 Swain, Rooty, Link and Cosimo
👔Hands on employability skills
❤️ Free Collie Hugs for all
🧐A safety on the road scavenger hunt
❣️Collie-grooming station
And more!



https://www.wdtn.com/living-dayton/touch-a-truck-with-harrison-township-returns-this-weekend/?fbclid=IwdGRjcARzcgNjbGNrBHNyAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHj_opaIo4zQOqbRP0h3drT-1ppOWP8-yLjfBCOfYcCiKdS3VqkfhYDPdlrdt_aem_rXbKdPF3uPKNQGafYF3wWg

We had a blast! And what seemed like a never ending line of young future collie experts, and collie enthusiasts at the Piqua Head Start CORS Touch a Truck event! I know we had at least a dozen hands on, groomers to be in this group!

What an incredible time we had! Thank you Emily Cheek for inviting us to this meaningful event!

The kiddos experienced the grooming process including sensory experiences that immersed them with hands on brushing, and drying using a power dryer. They also had a scavenger hunt to identify safety features designed for the Collies Health, comfort and safety while on the road.

I want to share a tail-wagging, warm hearted collie Shout-out to Kristin and the entire crew at Community Veterinary Clinic. These guys work HARD for pets and their people...and today was no different.

A last minute appointment request, they have updated my crew with essential vaccines and hugs.

As we wrapped up exams on the last two collies, I watched something truly touching unfold. I noticed a light tear fall from Kristin's eye. When I asked her if she was ok, she expressed with sincerity how taken aback she was to feel their abundant coat, and condition.

"I FEEL like I am touching royalty right now."

This made my cry too. These dogs are soo soo very special, and live to serve others. It was such a treat to see someone in the veterinary industry feel this way about them, too.

Love what you do, and never work a day in your life.