Class Instructors

Cheryl Benedict

Cheryl started obedience with a Golden Retriever, completing their CD in 1986 and therapy dog registration in 1989, actively visiting with Leah until she was 13.

In 1987 the first Field Spaniel arrived with the endearing trait of carrying his ear in his mouth when he didn’t have a toy. Since then there have been many Field Spaniels completing CH, obedience titles, agility titles, and multiple generations of therapy dogs.

Her current therapy dogs are registered with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Cheryl is a retired special education teacher. 

Email Cheryl at bkctherapydog@gmail.com

Laurie Carlson

I’m the Puppy Class Secretary along with teaching and/or assisting in the Puppy Basic classes.  I have been breeding Gordon Setters for over 10 years and am passionate about breeding healthy, well-socialized puppies.

My dogs and I have enjoyed participating in Conformation, Hunt Tests, Rally, and Agility.  I love helping puppies get a good start in life and helping owners learn how to teach their puppy good manners.

I look forward to answering your questions about Badger Kennel Club’s puppy classes.

Email Laurie at bkcpuppysec@gmail.com

Rita Galetka

Hi, I’m Rita Galetka.
I have been a member of Badger Kennel Club since 5/17. I enjoy being Puppy Chair! Instructing classes and assist different venues, volunteering at the Dog Fair, Fast Cat and Dairyland Classic Show. I am a Canine Good Citizens/ Trick Evaluator, AKC Temperament Test Evaluator and on the Field Fast Cat Committee. A member of American Terrier Club of America, Wisconsin Airedale Terrier Club and Airedale Terrier Club of Illinois.
I’ve been around dogs since a young child as I grew up on a farmette and continued the love for animals! My 5 Airedale’s are trained and very versatile in AKC events. I raise Airedale’s to breed standards. I follow each of my litter puppies life with the wonderful pup parents sharing daily life and accomplishments! I also have a yearly pup reunion! My motto is to enjoy life, have a dog by your side and learn from your dog as they learn from you!
Rita Galetka;
Mystic’s Airedale Acres

Email Rita at gramarita1960@hotmail.com

Laura Mae Hesse

I have had basenjis since 1970 (and my family had them before that).  I have shown my dogs to both obedience and conformation titles, and remain active in conformation competition (entirely owner-handled).  I breed a litter or two a year.  At the moment, I have 5 basenjis aged from 1 year to 16 years:  3 AKC conformation champions and 2 yearlings very close to their titles.  My dogs sleep in my bed, romp in my yards, and love to go hiking.  The picture is of my Franklin taking Best in Show (all-breed, AKC) at the tender age of 10 months.  He ended his career last year #3 Owner Handled basenji in the country, #10 basenji in the all-breed rankings.

Email Laura at BKC-LMHesse@charter.net

Joan Mrkvicka

Joan has been an active member of the Badger Kennel Club since 2012 and served on the board for a term in 2015 and 2016.

She has been co-chair of the Wisconsin Dog Fair for the last 3 years and also the chair of BKC’s inaugural FASTCAT trials in 2019.

Joan is currently teaching Beginner Novice Obedience on Monday nights and Saturday afternoons. She has also assisted in many classes at BKC, including Puppy, AKC Star, Agility, Rally.

Joan has always had Great Danes and has successfully titled them in Obedience, Rally, Agility, Trick Dog, CGC, CAT, Fastcat, Therapy, and Barn Hunt. She currently has a Great Dane puppy called Rascal that is getting ready to start his performance dog career.

Email Joan at joanstotspot@gmail.com

Lynda Nelson, CPDT-KA

Member of BKC since 2006 and teaching classes since 2008.  I have 2 Shih Tzu and 2 cats at home.  I have trained dogs to the Companion Dog title and have played in Agility, Rally Obedience, and Therapy dog skills.  I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed since 10/2018 and utilize primarily positive motivational techniques in my classes.  I am also an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and Temperament Test evaluator.  I enjoy working with owners of exuberant adolescent dogs, observing and translating dog body language for owners, and teaching safe vehicle travel with your dog.  Outside of dog training, I provide childcare for 3 infants & toddlers in my home, volunteer as an EMT and a Fire Rehab Technician and play trumpet in Dimensions in Sound Big Band.

Email Lynda at bkcpuppy@gmail.com

Joan Parrish

Joan has been training dogs since her parents wouldn’t let her take the GSD/terrier farm dog, Terry, to 4-H dog training in the 1970’s. Not to be deterred, Joan observed the training classes her sister and GSD took and went home to train Terry. Since then she has lived with/trained Irish setters, Great Danes, Goldens, mutts, horses, cats, cattle, goats, poultry and pigs.

Joan is an Animal Scientist with specialization in reproduction and animal behavior. Joan has lived through the animal training transition. She believes that the right training tool is the one that fosters communication between the animal and human and the most important tool is the brain. Joan currently has Golden Retrievers and is interested in having fun with her dogs in field, rally, nose work and therapy.

Hallie & David Ray

Hallie Ray has trained and shown Shelties and a Papillon in AKC and UKC obedience since 1977. She has had three CH/UDs, an OTCH/UDX, and several more dogs earning UDs or CDXs. Her current partner is Zia, a bi-black Sheltie UDX/OM1/RM. She was approved to judge AKC obedience in 1996, and AKC Rally in 2012, and AKC TT in 2019. Hallie is a retired professor of Anatomy/Physiology.

David Ray has trained and shown Shelties since 1990. He earned an OTCH/UDX on his first dog, and was approved to judge AKC obedience in 2000 and AKC TT inn 2019. David is a retired defense systems analyst.

Hallie and Dave are Obedience and Rally class instructors.

Email Hallie at hraywisc@gmail.com

Katherine Stroik

Katherine Stroik is a Puppy Basics Instructor and also helps out with STAR puppy classes as an assistant. She has been a member of the Badger Kennel Club since 2015 and has been doing dog training with the club since she got her first dog in 2008. She was an assistant and intern with Teachers Pet Training Academy for 2 years and has experience working at more than one boarding kennel in the Madison area. When she isn’t doing dog training Katherine enjoys singing, and even has some background in music from Luther College. 

Email Katherine at luvyourbullydog@gmail.com

Cheryl Catalino

Email: ccatalino7@gmail.com