Valerie Farrell came to CDTS in 1983 to train Max, a mixed breed that she had rescued, and she has never left. Today she is a lead instructor in puppy and beginners courses. After Max, Val fell in love with Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and has put obedience titles on three of them. Her current competition dog, Beartown's Rhuhera or " Cappy", one of the most titled Chessies in the country, has been consistently ranked as one of the top obedience and agility Chesapeakes in the last several years, and was High in Trial at the Chesapeake National Specialty in 2003. Cappy's titles include the UDX (Utility Dog Excellent) and the Master Agility (MX) and Master Agillity Jumpers (MXJ) titles, and Cappy and Val are currently working on their first Hunting title. They have twice been invited to compete in the National Obedience Invitational. Val lives with Cappy and her older Chessie, Riser, her Beagle Rudy, new chessie puppy Vika, and husband Dennis. Her goal with every class is for handler and dog to learn a common language in an upbeat, positive manner that is fun for both of them.