Since 1982, Theresa has titled her own dogs as well as client dogs in Canada and the U.S. including a number of breed championships, group placements, obedience, rally, and agility titles. Theresa has also collected a number of Canine Good Citizen Awards & Temperament Test Certificates. With Rose, her son James' Shetland Sheepdog, who works as a Therapy dog, they visit schools and libraries promoting canine awareness to all she meets!

In 1985, Theresa attended her first Jack and Wendy Volhard's Instructor Training School in New Hampshire. At that time, Theresa remembers asking Jack Volhard: "What do you think is the most important part of dog training?" Jack's answer was: "The most important part to me is maintaining the integrity of the relationship with the dog”. Theresa adopted the Volhard's motivational method as her mission at Mahogany Ridge and has never looked back.

With this method she teaches others how to develop and enhance the relationship they have with their dogs. In 1994, Theresa was honored to be selected to join the Volhard teaching staff. She has continued to teach at the annual Volhard training camps, which currently held in Syria, Virginia.

Theresa's canine education consists of a multitude of seminars, training camps and self study. Theresa received her certification as an agility instructor by Julie Daniels in 1997 and is a follower of the Hatfield/Mah approach to agility. She has attended behavioral seminars by Katherine Houpt at Cornell University as well as training seminars with the late Job Michael Evans. She is a Certified Volhard Staff Instructor and a professional member of the International Association of Canine Professionals (#2725). Theresa is forever a student who seeks any information to be gathered.

Many individuals, organizations, and schools have recognized Theresa for sharing her knowledge and experience. She has helped many to become successful in their goals, whether it be fixing behavior problems, obedience, agility, or teaching their dogs special skills like running beside a bike! Never hesitant to face a challenge, Theresa reaches into her "bag of tricks" and comes up with the solution.

Students and trainers alike seek Theresa's help and guidance. With her knowledge and skill she leads the way, facing each challenge with confidence. She tailors her training to the individual team, so that a strong bond is formed and the dog and handler work as one. In this way success is achieved and goals are met, whether that goal is of a happy family pet or a competitive team.

In 1999 Theresa launched Kidscamp!, a weeklong day camp for kids and their dog companions.

It was apparent that kids were returning to camp, so in 2006 Blue Ribbon Camp! was launched, offering dog training and skill building to our Alumni of 3 or more camps.

2010 August KidsCamp! was the highlight of a 12 year commitment to kids and dogs in upstate NY. The week long KidsCamp! will continue at Mahogany Ridge in Culpeper Virginia

In June 2012,Theresa held her first annual KidsCamp! in Culpeper, (attended, among others, by a special alumni participant from NY). In June 2012, three returning participants and newcomers attended KidsCamp!