PATRICK SHANNAHAN CLINIC

JANUARY 24-25

PRIVATE LESSONS ON THE 26TH

This will be Patrick's 4th annual clinic in at Frank and Penny Tose's place, 551 South Valley Road, Poplarville, Mississippi, 39470. The email address is Penny Tose(ftose@direcway.com) and the phone number is (601) 795-2080.

Patrick started out in livestock without a dog, first working in a stockyard part-time while in school then with 250 registered ewes of his own. When he got his first stock dog to help manage the ewes, he soon learned the value of a well trained dog. Since that time, Patrick has become one of the country's foremost and best respected trainers, judges, and handlers. He has won the USBCHA/ABCA National Finals and many other well known dog trials. He is one of the most sought after sheep dog trial judges in the country and has judged the National Finals among numerous others. He has served on the boards of both the USBCHA and the ABCA; and he is a regular columnist for the American Border Collie Magazine.

Patrick is known for his skills in helping beginners with all breeds of dogs make the transition from trainer to handler by moving from treating dog and sheep as adversaries to partners in a cooperative effort. He also helps more experienced handlers develop finesse and broaden their skills.

When working with someone, Patrick studies their dog and their situation and looks to the long term development of the handler and dog as an ongoing team. He also helps his students to trust their dogs and to read the livestock. His students range from beginners who take weekly lessons to skilled handlers, some managing livestock operations or successfully competing in stock dog trials or both. It is not uncommon for both trainers and their students to attend Patrick's clinics.

Patrick brings out the best in the handler/dog relationship, and those improvements both in behavior and insight continue long after a clinic is over.

The clinic cost is $130 for the weekend with private lessons on Monday. The private lessons are $25 per half hour and $50 per hour.

Lunch on Saturday, dinner on Saturday, and lunch on Sunday are on the house, as is lunch on Monday if you're taking private lessons. Friends and family accompanying anyone entered in the clinic are not charged a fee and are included in meals. Other observers are $25 per person. Please, let me know if you are coming, so that I send you a release and make a list.

Directions:

FROM NEW ORLEANS: Go over the high rise to Slidell. Take Interstate 59 North to Millard, which the next exit past McNeil. At Millard, exit off to the right, then turn left at the exit ramp stop sign. Go straight until the road tees. On your way, you will cross railroad tracks and a small gas station on the left as you cross Mississippi Hwy 11. Just keep on until the road stops and there is a stop sign. This will be the third stop sign you have encountered since leaving the Interstate (I am including the one at the end of the exit ramp). You will have gone about 5 miles. At the tee, you will see a yellow sign with a black two-directional arrow, one left and one right. You will turn right. >From this turn, it is 2 miles to South Valley Road. On the way to the turn onto South Valley, the road will wind around. On the left, you will see a pond with a low fence. The road will then curve, then straighten. Start looking for a single-wide trailer on the left. The trailer is on the corner of South Valley. Turn left. That is South Valley. (If you get to a sign on the left that says "Dream Hill," you have gone too far. If you get to Mississippi Hwy 26, you have gone way too far.) You will be coming a bit over 3.5 miles north on South Valley. The road is paved part of the way, then turns to gravel. 551 South Valley, which is my house, will be on your right. The house sits on a knoll. There are ponds on either side of the driveway. The front gate will be unlocked. Please, close but do not lock it on your way in.

Bring your cell phone in case you get lost. My phone number is (601) 795-2080.

If you prefer blunder-proof directions that take about 20 minutes longer, here they are. Going north on 59, take the first Poplarville exit. Go into town on Highway 53. At the Kangaroo gas station, turn left onto state hwy 26 west. Go about 12.5 miles to a sign, which is about a third the size of a billboard, that has a galloping black Pegasus on one half and on the other, a man swinging a golf club. Turn left, go 2.5 miles south on South Valley road. 551 South Valley will be on your left (see directions above for description). If you go over the Pearl River bridge, you have gone too far. GOING SOUTH ON 59: Take the first Poplarville exit. Turn right after you exit. This is Highway 26. Take that into Poplarville. At the four-way, continue to go straight. South Valley Road is about 12.5 miles. Look for two signs. One has a galloping Pegasus; the other, a man swinging a golf club. That is South Valley. Turn left. Go about 2.5 miles. The house is on the left on a small knoll. There is a pond on either side of the driveway. Close but do not lock the gate. If you go over the Pearl River Bridge, you have missed the turn for South Valley. OTHER DIRECTIONS: If you're coming from Folsom, drive to Bogalusa. Get on Louisiana Highway 10 going east. This turns into Mississippi Highway 26 after you cross the state line. Keep your eyes peeled for Viron Burge Road on the left. South Valley Road is the next road after that. Turn right. See first set of directions above for mileage.