ABOUT US
Meet Shana Magill, ANWI™
I am a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the state of Wisconsin with over 20 years of experience mostly with public accounting firms. After hours of crunching numbers behind a desk, I was in need of creative outlets. What better way than exploring the world with my canine companion, Rosie. We were working our way through the classes offered at the various dog training facilities in Madison when we enrolled in a nose games class. She loved it and I loved that she could do it without direction from me.
We then enrolled in a K9 Nose Work® class with an instructor who is a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI™) with the National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC® (NACSW™) and a retired National Association of Search and Rescue Technician. Her retired human remains detection dog was certified by the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association.
K9 Nose Work® classes are not taught by anyone else in Madison or Dane County. I decided to apply to become a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI™) and be the first in Madison and Dane County to bring officially sanctioned K9 Nose Work® classes to the dogs and handlers in this area. I am currently an Associate Nose Work Instructor (ANWI™) through the NACSW™ and the member/owner of Scent Quest Dog Training, LLC.
About Shana's Dogs
I have seen the changes K9 Nose Work® can have on shelter dogs in just one day of training. My last dog was a rescued blue heeler mix that I was advised to return to the shelter because of severe behavioral issues. I wish K9 Nose Work® had been around during his lifetime. Even if I could not have competed with him, K9 Nose Work® would have been so beneficial to his well-being. It would have given him problem solving challenges, exposure to various environmental situations, and increased self-confidence.
My current dog, Rosie, is another rescue mix. She and I just happened upon a nose games class at a local training facility. She had so much fun that I enrolled us in official K9 Nose Work® classes.
Our journey has had its ups and downs. We passed the Odor Recognition Test (ORTs) for all three target odors on the same day. Two months later we earned our K9 Nose Work® Level 1 (NW1) title placing 2nd overall. We also placed 2nd overall in the Interiors search and won the prestigious Harry Award. We were hooked! Six months after that we did not pass the K9 Nose Work® Level 2 (NW2) trial and one month later she injured a tendon in her leg which put her on injured reserve for one year.
We also had been training in agility which is great exercise and an energy release for both dog and handler. At the time of the injury we were ready for agility competition but that was something that now would never happen. I was so grateful to have K9 Nose Work® in our back pocket. Once she could walk again, we were able to incorporate K9 Nose Work® into our daily routine and provide her with a low impact, mentally stimulating and exhausting activity.
We now have earned our K9 Nose Work® Level 1 Interior element specialty title. At the trial that same weekend, we discovered that Rosie is afraid of bugs on vehicles. Even though the challenges continue, she is enthusiastic every time we put her harness on to work.
Come join us on this exciting journey called K9 Nose Work®.
