User:Josi Kaal

Josi left her post as a Primary School teacher in 2005 in order to travel the world with her daughter who had just finished University. Josi currently works from home for an IT company, with a focus on administrative and marketing tasks.

Josi has regularly given time in a range of voluntary roles, which include Secretary for the local Ladies Darts League, Ladies representative on the Casuals Rugby Club Committee, Special Constable for Northamptonshire Constabulary and School Governor at Mereway Middle School.

Josi is currently the honorary secretary of British Dalmatian Welfare, taking care of administrative duties as well as helping out with transport, dog and home checks.

Josi has always shared her life with a dog. Her earliest pet memories (aged 3) are of Jenny the family Labrador. Other dogs have included a fawn Great Dane called Trad, a Heinz 57 called Oscar, a retired Police Alsatian called King, a daft Dobermann called Bruno and an Irish Red Setter called Ginger who was the family dog whilst her children were growing up. Josi had always wanted a Dalmatian and in 2007 was able to realize that dream with their first Dalmatian Celsie. Celsie has since been joined by Ella, Sandy and Kiki. Their boundless energy means that with four Dalmatians there is never a dull moment in the Schunikka household. A bored Dalmatian is a naughty Dalmatian, so they are always busy with activities to keep their minds active as well as their bodies.

A frequent dog show enthusiast, Josi can be found either in the ring showing her Dalmatians or as a steward at Open and Championship shows. Josi is also on the Judges C List for both the British Dalmatian Club and the North of England Dalmatian Club.

Josi is currently a student member of the Kennel Club Accredited Instructors (KCAI) scheme working towards accreditation. Josi joined the scheme to help focus the training she does with her Dalmatians and has assisted at a KC registered Dog Training School on various workshops over the past couple of years. Josi has successfully competed in Agility, Obedience, CaniX, and most recently the Carriage Dog Trials where her Dalmatian Celsie achieved Bronze Carriage dog after only two training sessions behind a carriage.

Josi’s vision for the future is that Dalmatians are more widely recognized for their abilities as a working breed that builds upon their natural affinity with horses.