Kickapoo Australian Shepherds

My introduction to aussies was through my horses. My shoer was always accompanied by his aussies and I fell in love with them. I got my first aussie in 1996 and have been hooked ever since. Jay and Kaitlin came to live with me and the fun began. I talked about showing Kaitlin and my neice, Kristie, became Kaitlin's handler. Kristie and I showed Kaitlin to her ASCA, AKC, and INTL Championships. In 1998 we registered the kennel name of Kickapoo Australian Shepherds. Kristie has moved on to her own kennel name of Aedan but continues to handle for me as needed. I have been blessed with wonderful dogs that are full of love and giving.

My beginnings in aussies was in the conformation ring. Kristie handled the dogs and I did the behind the scenes work. There came a point when I felt the need to become the handler. Since Kristie had the conformation part covered, I entered the agility arena. Today my dogs compete in conformation and agility and have started training on stock. I look forward to the coming years of aussie fun as the handler in all venues!

The question ased is where does the name Kickapoo come from?

I have 2 passions. Dogs and family history. My great grandfather spent his youth in the Kickapoo Valley of WI. In his later years he traveled around the South peddeling Kickapoo Indian Sagwa. As I tried to find a kennel name that Kristie and I could agree upon, I kept coming back to Grandpa Will's story. Kickapoo was a name we could agree upon. Kickapoo allowed me to tie my dogs and family history together .