Christie-Lee McNamara

Christie, co-owner of Four Paws Academy, has been a professional dog trainer since 1993. She has trained two Golden Retrievers in obedience, tracking, field, and agility. Since being introduced to agility in 1996, she has taken an active part in the entire agility arena, as a competitor, instructor, trial chair, and software developer. In November 2003, Christie became the first AKC agility judge in Massachusetts.

Currently, her twelve-year old golden Sundance is retired from agility competition. Sundance qualified for the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 USDAA DAM team championships, and the 2001 USDAA steeplechase championship. Sundance won the Sterling Sweepstakes award in his division, three consecutive years, 2001-2003. Sundance was one of only 24 Golden Retrievers to have earned the Master Gamblerstitle from USDAA. Sundance was the 1st dog in New England and the only dog in Massachusetts to earn a VCD title in 2001. (His versatility title included a NA, NAJ, TD, CD). Christie completed an AKC Utility title in 1998 with Mohawk UD, TD, OA OAJ.

Christie's six-year old miniature poodle Pi is currently working towards his AKC Obedience titles and his MACH3, earning his MACH in November of 2007 and MACH2 in November 2009. Pi and Christie are also competing towards his Bronze ADCH at the Master level in USDAA, earning his ADCH in June 2007, and have qualified for 2006 & 2007 & 2009 DAM Team Championship, 2006 - 2008 Steeplechase and Grand Prix 2006 - 2009. In 2005, Pi's first year of agility competition, he earned 3 USDAA titles and 4 AKC titles. Pi earned his AKC Championship (handled by Julie Rembrandt Seeley) in February 2006.

Christie has a 2 year old golden retriever Winee competing in agility, obedience, and rally obedience. At 10 months old, Winee earned her 1st Rallly Novice leg taking 4th place at the Golden specialty. Winee went on to earn her first title, Rally Novice, at the Golden Nationals at only 14 months! Winee is also enthusiastically training in field and now working in the Excellent level of AKC Agility, the Open level of AKC Obedience, and the Masters level in USDAA.