12 minute read
sports spotlight
Fur-st Place
What it takes to be a canine champion
Crank and her border collie P!NK were Westminster Kennel Club agility champs in March 2020, earning the title 2020 Masters Agility Champions with the time of 29.35 seconds.
Dog agility trainer and Pickerington resident Jenn Crank says dog agility is like American Ninja Warrior for dogs.
In agility shows and competitions, handlers – the owners – guide their dogs through predetermined obstacle courses using their body language and verbal cues. Every course is different, so the handler must approach each one strategically.
“It’s really about the dog’s athleticism and the handler’s ability to navigate them around the course,” Crank says.
Crank is the owner and founder of IncrediPAWS Dog Training, a dog agility center located in Pataskala. Offering private lessons, seminars and group classes based on each dog’s experience levels, Crank and her staff teach others how to train their dogs either to compete in agility competitions or exercise as a hobby.
Agility is an inclusive sport, Crank says, meaning any dog can participate regardless of age or breed. Just like human athletes, some dogs are born with a more athletic build, however there are no restrictions and dogs compete in divisions based on height.
“A little dog like a dachshund or Chihuahua is not going to be competing against a Doberman or a Rottweiler,” Crank says.
Crank started competing in agility when she was 7 years old with her family dog. Her mother, a canine obedience trainer, often brought Crank along to training classes, and when dog agility became a sport, the two excitedly picked it up.
“Most people see it on TV, or they see some equipment or something at a dog park,” Crank says. “But for me, it was just a hobby that I grew up around, found a passion for and kind of excelled at and ended up turning into a career.”
Since her start, Crank and her furry friends have become quite the competitors, winning the FCI Agility World Championship three times, World Agility Open Biathlon Gold Medal, 2014 Grand Prix national champion and more. Despite her gilded record, Crank’s biggest source of pride is her students.
“It’s not about my accomplishments,” Crank says. “As a business and as a business owner and as an instructor, (it’s about) what I’m able to get my students to do.”
Many of her students have earned prestigious agility titles and some have even become instructors at Crank’s facility. In March 2021, Crank’s student Betsey Lynch entered her papillon named Lark into the American Kennel Club National Agility Championship. Lark earned the title of eight-inch agility champion.
Crank says agility is huge in central Ohio. Clients come from all over the country to learn from the staff at IncrediPAWS. During classes at the indoor turf facility, trainers teach handlers how to use positive reinforcement to get desired behaviors from their dogs. Since every dog is different, that means the positive reinforcements differ, too. Some dogs are highly food motivated and others prefer toys, so it’s important for trainers to get to know each dog and owner to figure out the best method for the team. The most difficult part of training isn’t always the dogs – sometimes, it’s training the handlers. In order for dog training to be effective, handlers need to make sure they remain consistent and predictable in their response to a dog’s behaviors. Crank compares it to a teenager coming home past curfew. Like parents, handlers must provide their dogs with clear expectations and a consistent reward system to get the desired results. “I think it’s easy to want to blame the dog,” Crank says, “when, in reality, the dogs are only a result of whatever we’ve taught them and trained them.” Crank uses a similar metaphor to explain how dogs act as part of the family. Owners often get their dog involved in agility to provide them with a physical outlet for their energy, much like parents might sign their kid up for tee-ball. Like any sport, agility trainers practice warmups, cooldowns and stretching techniques because many dogs are prone to joint and arthritis issues. Agility can help combat some of those issues, Crank says.
There’s more to agility than simply the physical health benefits. Crank notices that a dog’s mental health often improves with training. A special dog-human relationship blossoms when a pet knows their owner is more than a source of food but instead a person to have fun and learn with. In other words, when they’re a team.
Ultimately, Crank says, agility is not about the competition. It’s about the relationships that result from it.
Ellie Roberto is an editorial assistant. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.
Grills and Growls
This grilled sweet potato recipe is for the whole family, including the dog
It can be hard to say no to puppy dog eyes – especially when they come from your actual dog. But most human food is off the table for Fido for good reason.
Onions and garlic are two of the most toxic foods to dogs, so no matter how much they beg, your furry friends should usually stick to their puppy chow.
However, using fresh produce from the Pickerington Farmers’ Market, you can put together an endof-summer meal to share with everyone, including your dog.
Grab some in-season sweet potatoes from Paige’s Produce, lemons from the Ochs Fruit Farm stand and olive oil from the Yankee Street Farm stand and kick your paws into gear in the kitchen.
Trevor Simpson is an editorial assistant. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
GRILLED SWEET POTATOES
Recipe courtesy of Two Little Cavaliers
INGREDIENTS
• 3 medium sweet potatoes
from Paige’s Produce
• 2 small lemons
from Ochs Fruit Farm
• 1 stalk fresh dill (about 2 tbsp. chopped) • 2 tsp. brown sugar • 2-3 tbsp. olive oil
from Yankee Street Farm INSTRUCTIONS
• Begin by whisking the olive oil and brown sugar together. Set aside. • Grab the potatoes and scrub with water, then cut to remove any black or green spots. Chop into ¼-inchthick rounds and set aside. • Next, thinly slice lemons. Add olive oil and brown sugar combination with sliced lemons and chopped potatoes and toss together. • Wrap the potatoes and sliced lemons in foil and place on the grill over medium-high heat. Leave on the grill for five minutes before flipping the foil packet. Cook for another five to seven minutes.
Remove from the grill and let cool before removing foil. • Add chopped fresh dill on the finished product and dig in!
This recipe is perfect for late summer and early fall when sweet potatoes are in season.
Top homes sold in Pickerington
All information is collected from the Fairfield and Franklin County auditors’ offices.
168 Balsam Dr.
4 beds 3.5 baths $450,000 Sold on 6/8/2021
215 Kohler St.
4 beds 2.5 baths $450,000 Sold on 6/7/2021
106 Tecumseh Ct.
4 beds 4.5 baths $435,000 Sold on 6/4/2021
217 Arlington Dr.
4 beds 3.5 baths $407,430 Sold on 6/15/2021
998 Melrose Ct.
4 beds 2.5 baths $374,000 Sold on 6/7/2021
204 Warbler Ct.
4 beds 2.5 baths $370,433 Sold on 6/15/2021
769 Melrose Blvd.
4 beds 2.5 baths $350,000 Sold on 6/1/2021
436 Florence Dr.
3 beds 2.5 baths $346,000 Sold on 6/21/2021
665 Manchester Cir. N.
4 beds 2.5 baths $340,465 Sold on 6/8/2021
428 Furman St.
4 beds 2.5 baths $340,000 Sold on 6/9/2021
623 Rambling Brook Dr.
4 beds 2.5 baths $312,400 Sold on 6/1/2021
205 Asbury Ct.
4 beds 2.5 baths $310,000 Sold on 6/11/2021
#1 Selling Real Estate Team & Realtor 439 Transactions Closed in 2020 ® in Central Ohio 2017–2020 (614) 561-3201
Source: Columbus MLS & Trendgraphix All reports presented are based on data supplied by Columbus REALTORS. Report published January 21, 2021 based on sales data available from January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020. All properties, all counties combined. Neither the Association nor their MLS guarantee or are in any way responsible for the data accuracy. Data maintained by the Associations or their MLSs may not reflect all real estate activities in the market. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Top Producer - Market Share Report. Copyright Trendgraphix, Inc. Samuel Cooper DBA Sam Cooper Team
what’s your style?
Sam Cooper (614) 561-3201 sam.cooper@herrealtors.com
11833 Eddington Ave | $349,900 | Remarkable two story home in Summerfield Subdivision situated on large private lot surrounded by mature trees. Remodeled Kitchen w/ granite counters, new cabinetry, hardwood flrs, family room with fireplace & exposed beam ceilings, formal dining & living rooms, 1st flr home office, heated florida room, side loading garage SAM COOPER – HER REALTORS
JUST SOLD!
JUST SOLD! JUST SOLD!
JUST SOLD!
Sam Cooper (614) 561-3201 sam.cooper@herrealtors.com
718 Bretforton St | $545,000 | Gorgeous two-story home in Wellington Park, oversized yard, huge garage, hardwood flrs, wainscot & crown molding, 1st flr home office, mudroom, great rm w/ stone fireplace, large kitchen w/ granite counters, big island, upstairs bonus loft/ rec room, jr. suite w/ full bath & walk in closet, owners bdrm w/ walk in closet, 2nd flr laundry, full bsmt, backyard patio. SAM COOPER – HER REALTORS
Sam Cooper (614) 561-3201 sam.cooper@herrealtors.com
11557 Coventry Avenue | $360,000 | Outstanding two-story home in Summerfield Subdivision. Large lot, backyard paver patio, Rosati Windows, 1st flr office, formal living & dining room, large great room with fireplace & skylight windows, 1st flr laundry, finished basement with rec room & wet bar, additional storage, owners bedroom w/ walk in closet & full bath, very well cared for SAM COOPER – HER REALTORS
Sam Cooper (614) 561-3201 sam.cooper@herrealtors.com
8061 Garden Dr. | $525,000 | Outstanding two story home in Meadowmoore, finished lower level, 1st floor owners suite with walk in closet, luxurious custom shower, hardwood flooring throughout, formal dining, great room w/ fireplace, large kitchen with granite counters, island & pantry, junior suite upstairs with its own full bath, custom deck, tankless water heater, partial lake view, large lot backing up to trees. SAM COOPER – HER REALTORS
Sam Cooper (614) 561-3201 sam.cooper@herrealtors.com
13257 Waterton Drive | $492,000 | Gorgeous two-story home in Glenshire Subdivision on large cul de sac. Crown molding & wainscot throughout, hdwd flrs, formal dining, front flex room, 1st flr office, great room w/ fireplace, 3 seasons room, 1st flr laundry, 3 car garage, owners suite w/ vaulted ceilings, sitting room, walk in closet, luxurious master bath, finished rec room in bsmt SAM COOPER – HER REALTORS
Sam Cooper (614) 561-3201 sam.cooper@herrealtors.com
805 Dunvegan Circle | $355,000 | Remarkable two-story home in Melrose Subdivision, 1st flr office, great room w/ fireplace, remodeled kitchen w/ large island, granite counters, recessed lighting, stainless steel appliances and eating space, 1st flr laundry, finished basement w/ workshop, rec room & storage, owners bedroom with walk in closet and remodeled bath, fenced in yard w/ deck SAM COOPER – HER REALTORS
Real Estate Section
Showcase your home listings to every homeowner in the Pickerington school district. Your listings will also appear in the digital edition of the magazine, hosted on the Pickerington Magazine home page: www.pickeringtonmagazine.com Contact Tracy Douds today for more information: 614-572-1250 | tdouds@cityscenemediagroup.com
Pickerington Public Library staff picks.
What the in-crowd is reading: Save the Date:
Travis McKinley book series by James Patterson & Peter de Jonge
This series is a quick and fun read for those who enjoy the game of golf. The first book is Miracle on the 17th Green. Travis McKinley is playing golf when suddenly he acquires perfect vision for the putt. Travis qualifies for the Professional Golfers Association Senior Tour, and it changes him and his family forever. Next in the series is Miracle at Augusta. One year after his big golf tournament win, Travis McKinley struggles to find a place in the world of professional sports. And lastly, Miracle at St. Andrews, where one ordinary man makes the pilgrimage to the mythical greens of St. Andrews – the birthplace of golf – on his personal quest for greatness.
Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other by Sam Heughan & Graham McTavish
Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish embark on a road trip to explore Scotland with all its beauty and rich history. They begin their journey in the heart of Scotland at Glencoe, travel from there all the way to Inverness and the Culloden battlefield. This is a story of friendship, finding themselves and their love of whisky.
Aug. 14
Summer Reading Finale held at the Wigwam Event Center, 10190 Blacklick-Eastern Rd. NW | 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (11:00 a.m.) Jim Gill’s Sing-a-thon of Celebrated Songs Concert | Bring the Farm to You | Touch-aTruck | Dunk Tank | Food Trucks | Kids Crafts & Activities | Community Organizations
Bicycling with Butterflies by Sara Dykman
Outdoor educator and field researcher Sara Dykman made history when she became the first person to bicycle solo for a nearly nine-month trip alongside monarch butterflies on their storied annual migration – a round-trip adventure that includes navigating unmapped roads through three countries and more than 10,000 miles.
The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman
More than 200 years ago, Filomena Fontana cast a curse upon her sister. Since that time, not one secondborn Fontana daughter has found long-lasting love. Emilia, happily single and a baker at her grandfather’s Brooklyn deli, claims it’s an odd coincidence. Lucy, her sexy cousin is desperate for love and declares it’s a true hex. When their great Aunt Poppy calls and tells them that if they accompany her to her back to Italy, the Fontana Second-Daughter Curse can be broken once and for all. Traveling through Venice and Tuscany, family secrets are uncovered that threaten the family far more than a centuries-old curse.
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
After the death of her grandmother, Marisol travels to Havana and learns of a family secret that has been hidden since the revolution. When more family history comes to light and Marisol finds herself attracted to a man with secrets of his own, she’ll need the lessons of her grandmother’s past to help her understand the true meaning of courage. A book full of strong women, forbidden passions and family secrets.
