Megan Kathleen Donovan

Beginnings

Megan has been involved in dogs since 1986. This is also the year she was born. Her first word was dog, and she has never stopped learning about dogs since.

Her first interest in training dogs started when she was about eleven years old, when she worked with the family Golden Retriever, Brandon, toward becoming a Delta Pet Partner. Brandon died about a year after Megan had started working with her, at thirteen years old.

Her efforts turned toward the other family dog, Rags, an eleven year old Old English Sheepdog. As one might imagine, an elderly OES was not the easiest training partner. She also had severe hip dysplasia, preventing her from becoming a therapy dog.

The Fabulous World of Dog Shows

When Brandon died, Megan longed to have a dog of her own. She wanted a training partner who she could go far with. This was also around the time she attended her first dog show, which fascinated her.

She started learning everything she could about the dog show world. She memorized descriptions of each breed from an AKC Complete Dog Book for Kids that she had. She and her parents finally decided on a Border Collie. When asked now, she could probably not tell you what made her decide on this breed, except that she just fell in love.

Self Motivated and Self Taught

Megan has been showing in obedience and conformation for the past nine years. She grew up in a small town, with no offered classes that enabled her to enhance her performance at shows. She taught herself how to show from books and watching others. During her senior year of high school she found a wonderful mentor, who helped her fine tune her knowledge and showmanship.

Around the same time she also bred her first litter. She made a decision to keep the British lines of Border Collies as pure as possible, and has now developed a breeding plan based on that decision. As she continues to work toward becoming a recognized name in the show world, she offers to other dog show exhibitors her services as a handler. Her cost as a handler, more insight and experience in the dog world.

Megan is also pursuing a career as a Veterinarian, where she plans to specialize in behavior.  She is currently working toward her Bachelors of Science in Biology at Colorado State University, and possibly pursue a Masters of Science in Anatomy and Physiology before applying to Vet School.  She has been working for a pet groomer since 2005, and doing a work study program with a local clicker trainer.  She is an active member of the Buckhorn Valley Kennel Club.