The Palmetto Obedience Training Club, Inc. was organized and incorporated in 1956 for the purpose of conducting training classes, holding AKC licensed trials, and promoting interest in dog obedience training in the area of Spartanburg County. The club is approved by the American Kennel Club. The club held its first sanctioned OA Match in December of 1956 and its second in June of 1957, with its first licensed trial in September of 1957.
The club’s charter members pioneered dog obedience in South Carolina and assisted in forming a number of other clubs. Over the years, club members have traveled through the US and Canada to show and judge matches.
The club is proud to have the first obedience titled dog, first utility dog, first tracking dog and first agility titled dog in the state of South Carolina. Today’s members are currently showing and training in obedience, Rally, agility, and therapy.
The club has held obedience training classes on a continuing basis for more than 53 years. Many of the dogs trained in these classes have gone on to earn titles in a variety of performance venues.
- To strive for better control of all dogs.
- To educate the public by teaching them to train their own dogs in order to make their dogs better citizens.
- To create an appreciation on the part of the public, the value of trained, pedigreed dogs.
- To conduct obedience trials and sanctioned matches under the rules of the American Kennel Club.
- To further the advancement of all breeds of purebred dogs.
- To devote all profits accruing to POTC to the above mentioned purposes or to make special bequests to such charitable or civic organizations as shall be approved by a two-thirds vote of those in attendance and voting at a POTC meeting; and under no circumstances to pay a salary, fee, commission or dividend to any member.
Meet the 2025-2026 Officers
Leslie Shealy
PresidentLeslie joined POTC in 2019 after taking her first dog, Ollie, through the CGC class, and she has been an enthusiastic part of the club ever since. She has a special fondness for hounds and now shares her life with two hound mixes: Ollie and Bentley, her energetic hound and husky blend. Together they compete in rally, obedience, Barn Hunt, FAST CAT, AKC Trick Dog, and, above all, their favorite sport, nosework. Leslie’s dedication to training and her joyful partnership with her dogs bring wonderful energy to every event and class.
Jenna Garrett
Vice PesidentJenna grew up in the world of dogs and dog shows, purchasing her first show dog at just eight years old and never looking back. Her lifelong passion has since evolved into a deep commitment to training and competing across multiple disciplines. She currently shares her life with two Tibetan Spaniels who shine in conformation, Fast CAT, and a variety of other sports, as well as an English Shepherd and a German Shepherd who keep her on her toes. Jenna brings youthful experience, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for the sport to every class and event where she’s involved.
Jody Dobslaw
TreasurerJody has been a dedicated member of POTC since 2008, contributing her time and leadership over the years as Secretary, Vice President, and President of the club. She brings decades of hands-on experience to the dog-training community, having worked at and now owning the boarding kennel where she has been employed for 45 years. Jody shares her life with two beloved dogs - currently a long-haired Dachshund and an All-American dog - who inspire her continued commitment to training and canine welfare. Her steady guidance and lifelong devotion to dogs make her a valued pillar of POTC.
Amanda Gosnell
SecretaryAmanda took her first Canine Good Citizen (CGC) class with Palmetto Obedience Training Club in 2010 with her German Shepherd rescue, Shiva. The class made a lasting impression, and she spent the following years recommending it to friends and fellow dog owners. In 2021 she brought home her next dog, a fluffy Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Ixion, and signed up for another CGC class right away. She soon learned that every dog learns in their own way, since training Ixion proved to be a completely different journey than training Shiva. After finishing that class, Amanda joined POTC and began competing in Rally and FastCAT events, strengthening her bond with her dog and enjoying every step of the process. Fifteen years after her first CGC class, she still enthusiastically encourages others to give it a try.
Lynne Gillespie
Board Member/Past PresidentLynne has spent more than 35 years as a professional dog groomer, owning and operating her own salon and building a career rooted in skill, dedication, and a deep love for dogs. Over the years she has shared her life with many breeds, and she currently enjoys the company of her Miniature Poodles and English Shepherds. An active competitor, Lynne participates in rally, obedience, Fast CAT, scent work, and conformation, bringing well-rounded experience to every aspect of training. Her long-standing expertise and passion make her an invaluable part of the POTC community.
Rose Schweitert
Board MemberRose has been a member of POTC since 1973 and has served the club in every office, including Training Director. Her first love is the German Shepherd, a breed she has owned, trained, and shown in obedience for many years. She also trained her Shetland Sheepdog to multiple titles in rally and obedience, and has shown Belgian Tervurens in conformation. Over the years she has opened her home to several stray dogs who were lucky enough to find her. The friendship and support she has received from POTC members has been an important and meaningful part of her life for fifty years.
Nancy Smalley
Board Member / Training DirectorNancy has been involved with Collies for most of her life, dedicating countless years to conformation, rally, Fast CAT, and a wide range of other dog sports. As an experienced breeder and lifelong canine enthusiast, she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to every training arena she steps into. Nancy has been a member of Palmetto Obedience Training Club for longer than we can even keep track of, and she has served as the club’s Training Director for many years. Her leadership, expertise, and unwavering commitment to dog training continue to shape the success of POTC and the teams who train with us.
