Other than in college and the years she lived in Boston or New York City, Marti Touchstone has always had a dog or dogs. But it wasn't until ten years ago, when she brought her first Airedale Peach to CDTS, that she realized that training was the gateway to a whole new way of enriching the relationship with a canine teammate and deepening the bond between human and dog.

Marti's first competition dog is UCD Hardwerken Pure Pixilation UD OA AXJ RA NAP NJP ASCA/CD CGC, Delta Certified Therapy Dog, or Pixi. Pixi was ranked the top Novice A Terrier in the country in Obedience when she made her debut, and now shows and competes in the Excellent classes in Obedience and Agility. Like her housemates Peach and rescue Airedale Pubb, she is a certified therapy dog and is a frequent visitor at Mission Hospitals, the Reuters Center Pediatric Oncology Clinic, the reading program at Jones Elementary School and at community events and summer programs.

Marti is active in Airedale Rescue and worked at a shelter in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. She is on the advisory board of Paws With a Purpose, Asheville's therapy dog organization, the board of directors of the Asheville Humane Society, and volunteers time with other community projects.

Marti alternates teaching the orientation class for new students on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 and beginning obedience in the Monday classes.