Tania will attend a ceremony at Crufts 2016, where she will learn if she has won the coveted title. Tania was nominated by her clients for the KCAI Trainer of the Year Award, which recognises the outstanding talents of dog training instructors who have made a positive difference to the lives of dog owners and their dogs. For the past 40 years, Tania’s life has centred around all aspects of dogs. She has been training gundogs for around 25 years and has had lots of successes in her career including breeding a Hungarian Vizsla which won a Best of Breed award and winning several Gamekeepers classes at Crufts with her Labradors, showcasing how her dogs are fit for function. Tania, who owns 12 dogs, said of being chosen as a finalist: “I’ve been involved in all aspects of dogs for the last 40 years and I’m very proud to be a founder member of the KCAI scheme. I became accredited in 2010, having first joined in April 2001. The satisfaction and reward of seeing an owner and their dog grow as a partnership of understanding and friendship, through simply teaching them what the dog was bred to do, is incredibly rewarding. “When it comes to dogs, I would best be described as simply someone who just likes to help – from training to breeding and showing – as it’s something I am extremely passionate about.” One client who nominated her for the award, said: “Tania is a fantastic trainer. She is so passionate about what she does. “I trust her knowledge and judgement implicitly. She’s professional about how she trains, explains every step of the way, and animal welfare is her priority. “ She encourages gundog training to be fun and helps make you develop a stronger bond with your pet dog. I’m so glad that I was introduced to her, as I never knew owning a Labrador could be such fun.” Five finalists have been selected for the KCAI Trainer of The Year Award for their outstanding work, and the Kennel Club is inviting the public to visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/kcaiawards to vote for the trainer they feel is most deserving. Votes are now open and will close at 12 noon on 29th January 2016. Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: “The trainers which have made the final of the KCAI Award are all truly inspirational. The scheme is a badge of quality ensuring dog owners are getting knowledgeable and professional experience.” Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1 Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk 2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver 3 Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs 4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.