People’s Choice Voting Now Available – Submit Your Ballots Today!

Casting Your Ballot Instructions & Regulations

1. One (1) vote may be submitted per DockDogs Username. A Handler may only have one (1) username.
2. Must be an ACTIVE DockDogs WORLDWIDE MEMBER DURING THE 2016 SEASON
3. In order to submit a nomination you must login with your DockDogs Username/Handler ID at http://dockdogsevents.com and fill out the form under “Site Announcements”.

DockDogs Crew Member of the Year

Sean Swearinger

• Sean is always working hard at events helping new and old competitors. He always goes the extra mile to make sure things are running smoothly
• Sean runs a very positive and accurate event. He handles everything in a professional manner.
• The events that Sean runs are always done great.

Aaron Pippin Jr.

• Aaron has worked in the background of many events that I have been to in the past year. He is always friendly, responsive to questions and makes sure everyone has a good time.
• Aaron is always very helpful! He is a hard worker and always has a smile on his face.
• Aaron is the quiet, considerate, hard working staff that always focuses on being his best. Whether he is judging or wrangling, tearing down or helping a newbie, he does it with a smile and positive attitude! As a judge, he takes accuracy seriously and is always aware of any questions and happy to make sure all equipment is functioning and calibrated well. Whenever I come to an event and find that Aaron is working I know its going to run smoothly and will always be filled with positivity and fun!

Josh Cain

• Josh we have seen at several events this year. We saw him training in Erie PA early in the season and finished at the DuelingDogs event in OH with several inbetween. He works really hard and is the most positive worker. Not just at event but also on social media.
• Josh is an extremely hard worker and and went the extra mile to at our events to ensure our hosts and spectators got a great show. He is dedicated to DockDogs and making events great.

Sydney Belcher

• Always cheerful and will answer all questions.
• She keeps the events fun and upbeat even when people may be upset about something.
• Sydney has matured into a wonderful admin. She never gets overwhelmed and keeps her cool under pressure. More importantly she brings fun to the events she works!

Thomas Platts

• His attitude is always uplifting
• Amazing patience with new participants and enthusiasm for DockDogs.
• Thomas was the judge at our club event in Kittery this year. He was professional and helped keep the event rolling smoothly. We had a couple of hiccups which he solved with poise.

Sportsperson of the Year

Jesse Dalton

• Jesse always seem to be there helping other and doing everything he can to help other become a better handler and win or lose he comes off the dock just as happy and congratulates those around him
• Jessie is always a joy to see at events and is truly a great sportsperson that represents the DockDogs community proudly.
• Jesse always helps everyone on and off the dock. He wants to make others as good as they can be even if they are in direct competition with him.

John Schraa (Beach)

• #sure!! So easy to get along with, easy-going and professional. Any event he is at is ran professionally with the tone of fun, fairness and let the dogs be the best they can be! If he is stressed you would never know it and he is the definition of HARD-working and never EVER complains about it!! He truly LOVES what he does!

Kristi Baird

• Kristi is always willing to help new people on the dock. She has a wealth of knowledge and everyone has great respect and admiration for her. Kristi’s heart is truly with DockDogs.
• A true sportsperson. Has been doing Dockdogs for many years.
• Kristi is an awesome instructor and does so much with not just her dogs, but with dogs she fosters. She is a lover of dogs and of the sport of dock jumping and puts her heart into every event 110%!!

Ray Sumner

• He has gone above and beyond this year (his first year involved)

Rod Niemer

• What can I say about Rod? He is the most dedicated people Ive ever seen working with new dogs as well as their handlers. He is the KYDD Vice President and works at every practice to ensure everyone has fun as well as makes progress. He does this year in and year out. Just an absolute joy and the main reason we are so into the KYDD club. He has that personality you just want to be around. Just look at how divers the KYDD club is. Once you get around the guy you just cant help but be part of what he is doing. He donates so much of his time to this sport. Its amazing just being associated with him.
• Rod, what can I say about Rod? Rod is an all around good guy. He and his family travel all over the country jumping their dogs. Rod volunteers and helps other clubs. He is the Vice President of Kentucky DockDogs. He has grown the club and brought in members from all over the US. Rod goes out of his way to helps new competitors and gives advice to old ones.

Most Exciting DockDogs Team

Amy Stempel & Calvin

• New to DD this year but so great to watch with her awesome Calvin & Astrid

Danielle Hansen & Chief

Deb Feller & Doni

• Deb Feller and Doni have dominated the south this year with high scores and reallying WOWing the crowd
• This team always improves and never disappoints when 1st place is on the line. Deb is playful with Doni on the dock and they bring out the best in each other

Diane Salts & Cochiti

• Several years after setting the BA world record this team is STILL stopping spectators and competitors in their tracks and turning heads. It doesn’t matter where you are in the venue… whether it’s Big Air, Speed Retrieve, or Extreme Vertical… when Cheesy hits the dock there isn’t a person in the entire venue not watching the AMAZING athleticism of the little white flying whippet dog.

Matt Bohn & Kratos

• This team is fun to watch and full of emotion!

Most Inspiring DockDogs Team

Cheryl MacIntyre & Spinner

• Spinner was found tied to a bench,and has been transformed into a top player in the dock dog world
• From being found tied to a bench, to being rescued, and then into Cheryl’s home as a foster dog, Cheryl saw this diamond in the rough and has polished Spinner into an amazing athlete and in turn made an awesome team and given him a forever home!

Cindy Cowherd & Hank

• They never give up.
• Even though her dog doesn’t always jump, she keeps coming back and doesn’t let it set her back. She has patience and perseverance.

Jennifer Alcozer & Genie

• It is a joy to watch Jennifer and her dogs on the dock. She gets so much joy jumping them.

Linda Weaver & Austin

• In June 2015, Linda suffered a major injury. She was able to jump Austin 4 months later, with help getting Austin on and off the dock. It took 7 months before she could jump Austin alone in BA. Linda and Austin had earned invites to Worlds 2015, but was unable to compete. This season Linda has been recovered enough to compete again, and earn World invites for 2016. I am sure Linda had no idea that when she chose the team name “Who saved Who” would have so much meaning. The desire to be back on the dock with Austin and to hang with all of her DockDogs friends inspired Linda to recover faster to be back on the dock having fun and competing with her dog Austin.

Rod Neimer & Dizzy

• Rod has put so much effort into giving Dizzy a great life. As a team they inspire everyone at an event.
• Dizzy and Rod are just one inspiring team that’s all I can say!

Troy Geary & Tucker

• Stage 4 cancer and heading to worlds, He rocks!

DockDogs Cheerleader

Amy Lyons

• She is always pool side cheering on the teams and taking photos weather she knows you or not.
• Amy is always poolside cheering on all competitors and taking photos!

Bonnie Lariviere

• Cheers new and old competitors,and a welcoming hug of congrats goes to every entrant,a true plus Inn our club.

Carol Preston

• You can find Carol at any number of DockDogs events yelling, cheering and encouraging all competitors. She goes out of her way to make newbies feel welcome, she is a great dockdog cheerleader and ambassador for DockDogs.

Marie Earle

• She cheers for everyone whether they are old timers or newbies and is always at the side of the pool with pom poms and enthusiasm.
• Marie has helped grow our club with her enthusiastic personality, cowbells, and yellow RMDD cowboy hat.

Timothy Lake

• “I first met Tim at Dutchess County Fair this year and he was there cheering for every single person who was jumping! So positive and amazing to have at an event!

Yvet Montiel

• She is always out cheering everyone on.
• She is out there for everyone

Favorite DockDogs Announcer

Aaron Pippin Sr

• “Aaron takes the time to get to know everybody. When he is announcing, he is able to give the crowd insight and background about the dogs because he truly gets to know them.
• His voice rocks the microphone he has really grown into the announcing position quite well.

Bob DeWire

• Bob is awesome and the crowds love him
• His ability to remember stats and details about each team is incredible and really helps to make competitors feel special.

Paul Volino

• Paul proves to be the most spontaneous and out of the box announcer. He is entertaining yet informative.
• Paul is very entertaining and always trying to make someone laugh, even if that’s at the expense of his own dog (telling the crowd they had time to grab a coffee when Tiffany was up for speed retrieve)

Sean Swearinger

• When Sean announces, he gets the crowd involved. He uses catchy phrases and gives each dog a personalized introduction.

Stephen Sanchez

• He is great at getting the crowd involved at events. always knows when to pull them in and just does an amazing job.
• His ability to remember stats and details about each team is incredible and really helps to make competitors feel special.

Most Improved DockDogs Team

Becky Haen & Griff

• I haven’t seen these 2 before this year, but this team has rocketed to Super Elite, High Flyer, and sonic/nitro levels quickly. A pleasure to watch.
• Unbelievable improvement for their first year of dockdogs! 7’8″ in EV and 27’+ BA jumps! An incredible dog to watch!! Easily has the chance to be a world champion in multiple disciplines.

Carol Preston & Bishop

• Last year, Bishop struggled with confidence and control on the dock. He was hitting mostly low senior jumps in Big Air and earned his World’s invite in Speed Retrieve Express. At World’s he swam under 8 seconds for the first time. This year, Bishop knows his job and displays much more control on the dock. He hit his first master level jumps at Canadian Regionals, and earned his Master Club title later in July- in just 1 weekend! He titled as a Turbo jumper, and his speed retrieve average is better by about a second. Just watching Carol and Bishop, you know that they have really bonded as a team over the past year!

Laura Uebelhoer & Ella

• Laurie and Ms Ella have had a blast coming along this season!
• They have just gotten better and better all season.

Matt Bohn & Kratos

• Kratos has improved at each and every event – especially in Big Air and EV!
• This dog is going to be at the top very soon. Last year starting slow, this year, high flyer, spartan, and sonic speed times. Watch for them in DockDogs and Dueling Dogs

Rich Schafer & Trouble

• That dog can jump so far
• From a young dog that was jumping Senior jumps last season, and a handler that is dedicated to building a bond and helping his dog progress and be his best….this team came to Worlds last year and surprised everyone in BA and IRON DOG. But it didn’t end there….this season Rich and trouble haven’t been without there moments of challenge but they continue to improve and have even become one of the top jumping teams in the world, breaking that 30′ mark and being ranked #2 in the WORLD. A team I ALWAYS love watching because you never know if that world record could be broken by them….they are the most improved in my opinion.

Sydney Mackey & Spitfire

• This is their first year competing and they’re already close to breaking the World Record. They are an awesome team to watch!!
• Lookout world…. there’s a little girl on the dock with her speedy little black dog.. and they’re starting to figure out how to play this DockDogs game. In the early summer an 11 year old girl came to a Puget Sound DockDogs practice because she had tried several other sports with her dog, but thought dock diving would be even more fun since her dog loved to swim. Their first practice it took quite a bit of time to get this new team into the pool for the first time. But this team kept at it, and by the next practice were regularly starting to getting little frog jumps off the dock. By the third week she was at the practice pool EVERY SINGLE WEEK taking lessons and practicing with her dog. At their first event they flew into the teens and by day two moved right into the master division. Two months later this team… an 11 year old and her very own dog… that she trains… and works with, cares for, and loves every single day…. THIS team earned an invite in every single discipline. Her dad drove her 14 hours across 3 states to the regional championships to compete in the only divisions they were eligible for…. YOUTH and OPEN… she won them both! Less than a month later this team earned the remainder of their invites at a wildcard qualifier and continued to better their scores every single time they hit the dock. Just 3 months after starting this journey they trained, worked hard, and were dedicated to being at events every single day, all week long in some cases. From belly flopper to Super Elite, High Flier, Sonic, and Spartan… with a PB of over 29 feet! Proof that hard work, dedication, and persistence pays off with some SERIOUSLY monster improvements!