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.

Click here to view the Club’s bylaws and standing rules

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 2026-2027 Officers

April Williams

President

April joined POTC in 2017 and has been a professional dog groomer since 2006. Her passion for dogs began at a young age when she attended a dog show at a Spartanburg parking garage. A kind exhibitor allowed her to take a Rottweiler puppy into the show ring, sparking a lifelong love for dogs. While she has a special fondness for Rottweilers and Pugs, her home is currently filled with Poodles—both Standards and Minis. April is actively involved in a variety of canine activities, including Fast CAT, Rally, CGC, and Obedience classes. She also plans to explore Scentwork and Barn Hunt in the future when time allows. April is dedicated to serving POTC and looks forward to many more years of contributing her expertise and enthusiasm to the organization.

Jenna Garrett

Vice Pesident

Jenna 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

Treasurer

Jody 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

Recording Secretary

Amanda 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.

Sarah Greene

Corresponding Secretary

Sarah grew up loving Dalmatians and acquired her first well-bred Weimaraner in 2005. She has been involved in purebred dog rescue since 2003 and has bred Weimaraners under the Storytime Weimaraners name since 2019. After completing POTC’s S.T.A.R. Puppy class this year, Sarah decided to join the club. She is a member in good standing of the Palmetto Obedience Training Club, Spartanburg Kennel Club, and Weimaraner Club of America. Her primary focus is conformation, but she is also interested in branching out into Rally, Fast CAT, and hunt tests.

Leslie Shealy

Board Member/Past President

Leslie 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.

Nancy Smalley

Board Member / Training Director

Nancy 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.

John Olsakovsky

Board Member

Donna Bond

Board Member

Whittney Welborn

Board Member

Whittney’s first dog as an adult was Luger, a Boxer she brought home from a recycling center while in college. He was a beloved pet, but Wick changed everything, becoming the foundation for the life she has built with dogs. Wick was her first Dutch Shepherd, and together they started in APA and explored IGP, HRD, Rally, Fast CAT, Trick Dog, NWDA, and scent detection. Through Wick, Whittney developed a love for the Dutch Shepherd breed and the sports they enjoyed together, a passion she hopes to continue with future dogs. She is also a member of the Working Dutch Shepherd Association of America (WDSAA) and United Schutzhund Clubs of America (USCA). When Whittney welcomed Sevyn, another Dutch Shepherd, the two began their POTC journey together in 2022, completing STAR Puppy and CGC. She now assists with club classes and Fast CAT events, serves on the Tech Team, and is excited to give back to POTC, contribute new ideas, and help the club continue to grow.