Meet the Manhattan Kennel Club Instructors
Erick Arthington, MKKC Instructor
I started out taking my paillon puppies Remy and Stella to basic obedience class in 2021. That led to signing them up for agility and rally training. Each step we took got us further along in this journey. Remy and Stella have thrived since going to “puppy school”. They have earned many titles such as the CGC, CGCA, CGCU, trick dog, and trick dog intermediate. They both compete in rally and agility trials with much success, many ribbons and titles. I have developed a true passion for watching not only my dogs succeed but being a part of other dogs’ success as well. I thought what better way than to become a member of the Manhattan Kennel Club.
Since joining the Kennel Club I have become a CGC evaluator. I have been a substitute instructor several times in rally and agility class in the last couple of years. I now assist in the beginning obedience class, where my journey began 4 years ago. It is such a great feeling to watch these puppies learn and improve each week. I am learning the art of conformation. I hope someday to show a pup in conformation, but my true love will always be in the agility and rally rings. One phrase I have always believed is “We don’t deserve the love of our dogs, but I am so thankful we have it.”
Amber Boatwright, MKKC Instructor
I starting working and training my first agility dog when I was 16 years old. I currently own and compete with my Miniature Dachshund and German Shorthair Pointer. They hold many UKC and AKC titles in agility, therapy dog, CGCA, and trick dog. My dachshund has earned every AKC trick dog title offered up to the title Elite Performer and we were awarded 2024 AKC National Trick Dog Competition #1 Dachshund. He is also a certified therapy dog and we are very active in the local community. I am also co-founder of the Manhattan Weenie Walkers and serve on their committee hosting breed focused events.
My biggest joy is helping people learn to communicate with their dogs and increase the bond between them through training and play. If you’re not laughing with your dog, then neither of you are having much fun. Dogs are truly incredible animals, and the bond you can create with them through training is like nothing else. I look forward to helping new dog and owner teams discover their potentials.
Dale Bormann, MKKC Instructor
I grew up with a dog, and when my wife and I moved to Manhattan in 2005 we adopted two Shepherd mixes. I started working with them in Agility and showed extensively in trials with the United Kennel Club (UKC) and North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC) from 2007 to 2015. One of our Shepherd mixes, Murray, earned the UKC Grand Agility Championship (U-GRACH) 18 title and our other Shepherd mix, Dusty, earned the U-GRACH 21 title. Both dogs also achieved several NADAC Novice Agility titles. They both have their UKC Rally Level 1 title as well. I began teaching the Beginning Agility class in 2013.
Salene Carlson, MKKC Instructor
I joined the kennel club in 2023. I started dog training in 4-H when I was six years old with my miniature poodle. I now show and compete in AKC conformation with miniature and standard poodles, rally obedience and fast cat with my poodles and golden retriever, and so many more sports. I have completed and passed a dog training course through Animal Behavior College making me an ABC certified dog trainer. I plan on using my knowledge to better the dog owner community as a whole. My goal is to give dogs and their owners the confidence and relationship to work through problems that most people struggle with on a daily basis. I hope to provide a safe and effective training environment for all without judgment.
Sid Carlson, MKKC Instructor
I have never been without dogs in my life. Growing up, my mom raised Chow Chows and my grandparents had hunting Spaniels and Rat Terriers. I learned animal husbandry, grooming, socialization, and training from an early age. Dogs are part of my identity. I shared my love for dogs with my kids who started competing in 4-H agility, obedience, and showmanship with their shih tzu and miniature poodles.
My daughter and I continue this love, and compete currently in AKC Conformation Shows with our miniature and standard poodles. I have also competed in FastCat and Rally and most of my dogs have their CGCA and CGCU titles. I have been a member of MKKC for 4 years and AKC Show Chairman for 2 years.
I worked for 10 years in the Vet Clinic setting as both a tech and groomer. In all, I have over 20 years experience grooming professionally for the public.
I am excited to join the team of instructors for MKKC. We all have dogs to enrich our lives, and starting the path to create well-behaved, confident furry family members and canine good citizens is the best way to achieve success and happiness for us and our dogs!
Kay Cassella, MKKC Instructor
I have been a member of MKKC since 1990 and have been teaching the Super Puppy class since 1999. I use everyday practical approaches to help puppy owners raise a well-mannered household pet. I’ve been an American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator since 2000. I started my training with a Dalmatian who earned her AKC Companion Dog (CD) title. Then my German Shorthaired Pointer earned her AKC Companion Dog Excellence (CDX) title. My passion grew to Conformation, where I learned to show my breed to AKC national rankings and handle other breeds to their AKC championship.
Diana Farmer, MKKC Instructor
I joined the Manhattan Kansas Kennel Club (MKKC) in 1972. I had my first saluki and was training her in obedience. I have owned, bred, trained and shown my salukis in obedience, Rally obedience, agility, conformation and tracking over the years. In the mid-80s I became an obedience instructor for MKKC and have continued to do so intermittently. To become a more effective instructor, I have read about dog behavior, training techniques and have taken several online courses from noted instructors on training your dog.
I believe in working with your dog to form a partnership. How well that partnership works depends on the time and effort you put in working with your dog. How you and your dog interact is unique and I believe that the training I give reflects that.
Susan Keller, MKKC Training Director and Instructor
I joined MKKC in 1985 and became Training Director as well as an instructor in 2005. I currently teach Agility, Rally, Basic Obedience, and Super Puppy classes. I look forward to helping you and your dog establish a strong bond and build the foundation that leads to a well-mannered and well-trained pet.
I was in on the ground floor of Agility with my little mixed breed and have since shown many dogs to a multitude of Agility titles with the American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC), North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC), and United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA). I currently compete in Agility with one of my Bichons. I started showing in Rally Obedience at its inception. I have been competing in Rally since 2000 and seven of my dogs have obtained many titles. One of my Schipperkes competed to the highest level in Rally, earning a place in the Schipperke Club of America Hall of Fame in Rally. I have also shown two of my Schipperkes to breed championship (CH) and Formal Novice Obedience, earning the Companion Dog (CD) title.
In addition to teaching and showing, I am a licensed UKC Agility and Rally judge. I judge 4-H dogs for state and county fairs in Agility, Rally, all levels of Formal Obedience, and Showmanship. I co-authored the State of Kansas 4-H agility rulebook. I’m also an evaluator for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC), S.T.A.R. Puppy, Trick Dog, and Therapy Dog International (TDI) certifications. I have conducted several workshops and presentations in both Agility and Rally. Several people have apprenticed under me in the application process to become a licensed UKC Agility judge, and I have mentored several students to become dog trainers through Animal Behavior College.
Ren Meyer, MKKC Instructor
I’ve had a lifelong passion for dogs and for helping the people who love them build strong, joyful relationships. My foundation began early through 4 H, where I learned responsible handling, teamwork, and the value of clear communication. In 2011, I deepened my skills through an apprenticeship with Melody Boltz, and from 2013 to 2016 I gained extensive hands-on experience working with a wide range of dogs and families at Petco.
In recent years, I have focused on one-on-one training tailored to each family’s needs, goals, and day-to-day realities. My approach is compassionate and family-centered, built on trust, clear communication, humane methods, and practical skills you can use immediately at home and in the real world—so progress feels achievable and training supports the life you want with your dog.
In addition to companion dog training, I enjoy advancing my skills in the sport and show world, especially conformation and rally obedience.
Whether you’re working through common challenges or pursuing higher-level goals, I’m committed to creating a positive, supportive experience for both you and your dog.
Lori O'Brien, MKKC Instructor
I have had dogs in my life from childhood to the present. They have all offered my family and I
much joy and companionship over the years. I began my relationship with Manhattan Kennel
Club in 2021 when I enrolled my rescue puppy in STAR Puppy class and and have continued
with training classes at MKKC for both of my dogs in basic obedience, rally, and agility.
I currently have two dogs who are both registered therapy dogs. Both dogs have advanced
canine good citizenship and advanced therapy dog titles.
I began my journey in therapy dog work when my dog Daisy was re-homed to me in 2021 and
she is the first dog I have ever had with the perfect temperament for therapy dog work.
Therapy Dogs bring a special kind of love to those they serve and it is an important role that
makes all the difference in the lives of those we work with. My dogs have worked in schools
and libraries the last five years and recently have worked with a terminal cancer patient.
I enjoy meeting dogs and handlers and hope I can help support teams who are interested in
pursuing therapy dog work. I want to share some of my experiences and things to think about
if you would like your dog to pursue therapy dog work.
