From bookkeeping to training and everything in between, Vicki is Prairie Dog’s gal Friday.
At the tender age of 10, Vicki happened across a television program that explained the process
of guide dog training. She glanced from the screen toward the family Border Collie, Peppy —
and the rest, as they say, is history. Nowadays, she’s Diamonds in the Ruff’s agility instructor
and one of their co-evaluators for the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen program.
She also teaches at Prairie Dog, but she’s not just a trainer. Officially, she’s the bookkeeper. In
reality, she’s a little bit of everything. 35 years in customer service kick in on the sales floor, and
she also stocks and shuttles products between our South Hill and Kendall Yards locations. It’s a
labor of love: PDPM owner Amy is Vicki’s daughter.
Vicki’s family also includes three Border Collies: Older mid-coat Sally, flop-eared Oliver, and
Henry, a puppy with heterochromia. Sally was the dog who led Vicki to take up agility training.
Rescued from a dumpster at just a few weeks old, her behavioral challenges inspired Vicki to
become an even better trainer.
Vicki is an ambassador for Prairie Dog. She keeps snacks from PDPM on her at all times, so
she can introduce Spokane’s canines (and their owners) to our products. And if you’ve ever
snagged a chocolate from one of the humans-only bowls at our checkout counters, you have
Vicki to thank — one more way she makes the Prairie Dog experience a little sweeter.
“What sets Prairie Dog apart is knowledge and personal service. It’s not just about jumping in
with suggestions. It’s about listening first. It’s about really hearing what people need, and it’s
about making them feel good about coming into the store.”