France Jackson

France started out with and interest in canine behaviour and has worked with some of the finest trainers in the world. France then discovered agility in 2000, with her first dog ATChC Khemosabi, a standard poodle, from then there was no going back. France became co-owner of Academy of Vancouver Island Dogs with fiancé Barry Beckner, together they have built agility training into their full time jobs. It is a great job to be training and helping both ends of the leash and inspiring teams to be the best they can be.

France has been an active member of the AAC as a masters judge since 2004 and a BC Regional Director 2006-2007. AVID co hosted the 2004 regionals and host 5 sanctioned trials per year. The joy of judging is meeting so many talented handlers and dogs. France lives in Victoria BC with her three dogs; a border collie, Whistlin Dixie, a sheltie, Spyder, and newest member a papillon, ZipR.

“I am really looking forward to judging the wonderful teams of Alberta, at this years Regionals, seeing old friends and making new ones.”

Barry Beckner

Barry Beckner has been an AAC judge since 1999. Although an Ontario-born native, he has lived on the West Coast for the last 30 years. Agility was introduced to Barry at a time when he owned a 4 year old boxer/collie cross named Pharoah. Even yet, you may see this team on TV occasionally aired on a “Top Dogs” taping of an AAC Regionals or National event. Enjoying this passion for the sport has opened up friendships from coast to coast and has even led Barry to find his fiance’, France Jackson. Barry and France co-own AVID (The Academy of Vancouver Island Dogs) in Victoria, British Columbia and are both full-time dog-trainers. They are proud to have cultured a thriving agility community and support team for local agiliteers and their dogs.

Barry has trained and titled many breeds of dogs in the last 10 years including a Pug, Poodle, Aussie, All-Canadian and currently runs a pair of Border Collies in the AAC. He strives to keep current in world wide agility standards and handling systems.

Working with all of the wonderful dogs and people in Alberta will be a blast!

I live in Nanaimo, BC with my husband, Keith and 3 fur-kids. Splash, a 10 year old Border Collie; Sadie, a 6 year old Kelpie Border Collie cross and Nina, an SPCA special who will be 2 in August. Splash & Sadie are presently competing, while Nina is “learning the ropes”.

Aside from training my 3, I also own Just for Fun Agility and host 3 or 4 trials a year. I also own & operate a home-based bookkeeping business which keeps me pretty busy & doesn’t always leave as much time for “doggy stuff” as I would like. I also enjoy scuba diving.

The agility obsession started in 1995 with my first dog, Casey, a Lab Border Collie cross who started agility at the ripe old age of 5 ½. Casey competed in 2001 at the very first Regional Championship and was the BC/Yukon Region 10” Veteran Champion. She placed 2nd in her class at the Nationals. I retired her from regular competition after that – she was 11 and starting to feel her age.

I have been an AAC judge since 1998 & absolutely love it. I have met so many wonderful people, who, if it weren’t for this sport, would probably not have crossed my path – and for that I am truly grateful. I get so much pleasure from watching dog & handler teams – seeing the teamwork develop from Starters through Masters.

Have fun & Good Luck to all of you.

Patti Wilson