Our board is in the process of being reorganized. Please check back for updated information.
Alida Dierker – Co-Founder, Coordinator and Trainer
Alida Dierker lives in Flagstaff, AZ with her husband, two horses and two dogs. She has always had animals and enjoys training them and finding jobs that suit their temperament. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to compete with several dogs in in agility and rally. One of her current dogs Copper, likes therapy dog work best! Alida and Copper volunteer weekly at Killip school with the Paws to Read Program (children read aloud to dogs). She and Copper also volunteer at Ponderosa High School for the W.A.G.S program (Warm And Gentle Support- a structured counseling program) and drop in on many of the Stress Free Zones at the local College and University. Alida also likes teaching people how to work with their dog and has taught Puppy Kindergarten, Obedience, Agility, Rally and Therapy Dog. In partnership with Cinda Sawyer, Alida organizes and teaches therapy dog classes and plans local evaluations with Pet Partners, a national organization that registers therapy dog teams. Alida is the coordinator for many therapy dog programs in Flagstaff including Paws to Read, W.A.G.S, visits at local senior living communities and Stress Free Zones at NAU and CCC. When she’s not with her dogs, she could be riding her horses, skiing, sewing or traveling.
Cinda Sawyer –Trainer and Evaluator
Cinda Sawyer lives in Flagstaff, AZ with her husband and several dogs. Cinda has always had a passionate love for animals, especially dogs and horses. In previous years, Cinda worked as a Vet Tech. For over 20 years she was a Leader for 4-H Clubs including Vet Science, Dog Obedience, and Horses groups for both show and competitive trail riding. Currently, Cinda competes with her dogs in agility and rally. All four of her dogs are Registered Therapy Dogs with Pet Partners. They do most of their work at the hospital and love every minute of their visits. Cinda is very active in the local dog community being a member of the Sky High Jumpers Agility Dog Club, Verde Valley Dog Agility Club and a board member for the Flagstaff Kennel Club. She is also a licensed Pet Partners Therapy Dog Instructor, Licensed Therapy Dog Team Evaluator, Licensed CGC Evaluator (Canine Good Citizen Program) and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Cinda coordinates the Patient Pet Visitation Program at the hospital and helps coordinate the Caring Canine Therapy Dog Program. In partnership with Alida Dierker, Cinda teaches obedience and therapy dog classes and helps plan local evaluations with Pet Partners. When Cinda is not busy with her many dog activities, you will find her spending time with her family or crocheting and making handcrafts.