I am a General Internist Physician who has been in practice for nearly 20 years. I am the guardian of 8 "aussome" (that's the way you spell awesome when you own Aussies) dogs! I share my life with 5 male Aussies, 2 doppelganger Border Collie-x girls and the grande dame of our pack (a senior Schipperke/Pom-x girl). My love of dogs came from growing up with a fantastic Doberman in the 1970s (they were the "Pit Bull" of that era) but really blossomed with the adoption of an Australian Shepherd (Navajo)from the local shelter on the 5th day of my Medicine Residency. He was my first Aussie and the reason I became involved in Aussie Rescue and why I now have 5 Aussie boys!

The adoption of a deaf Aussie from a very rural animal shelter and later learning that he was one of 256 animals to have made it out that year sparked my decision to form a group to help his former shelter (www.facebook.com/friendsofashecountyanimals and also to establish a foundation in that deaf dog's name, Fabulous McGrady and Friends Foundation (www.fabulousmcgrady.org).

My involvement with dogs also extends to my medical practice, the rooms of which are covered with pictures of my dogs. People routinely bring pictures of their dogs in for me to see, tell me stories about them and even ask my advice about what they can do to address certain issues. While I'm the first to tell them that I'm NOT a Veterinarian or a Professional Trainer, the simple fact that I live daily with 8 dogs who have all been through multiple levels of Obedience (and 2 cats) makes for lots of "life experience" and the ability to usually direct folks in the right direction if I don't feel I can competently answer a dog-related question.