Kim Berkley, a renowned dog trainer and handler from Caseyville, IL, is a prominent figure in national obedience competitions, known for handling top-ranking dogs like Border Collies Zayne and Zuko, and English Springer Spaniel Dolly. Before her success in dog sports, Berkley had a distinguished career showing Arabian horses, winning seven national championships. Transitioning to dog sports in the 1990s, she founded “Dog Sports at Kim’s” (DSK), a training facility where she continuously hones her dogs’ skills and helps others train theirs. Her dogs have achieved numerous accolades, including multiple OTCH and MACH titles, and have consistently placed highly in prestigious competitions such as the AKC National Obedience Championship and the AKC Rally National Championship.

Berkley’s passion for obedience training is deeply rooted in her lifelong love of animals and her dedication to precision and teamwork, akin to dressage in horse training. She emphasizes that obedience requires significant commitment and training, varying by breed, with English Springer Spaniels being notably more challenging than Border Collies. Despite the demanding nature of the sport, Berkley finds great joy in helping dogs and their owners become cohesive teams, and her ongoing success and enthusiasm highlight a remarkable and enduring career in dog sports.