People Behind the Dream

Each member of our team brings unique knowledge, experience, compassion, and a love for dogs that have captured their hearts. Together, they help other people experience the same life-changing connection.

Tattle Tail’s story also includes many remarkable people who have been part of the program throughout the years. There are simply too many former team members, volunteers, supporters, clients, friends, and mentors to name individually—but their contributions have not been forgotten.

Some walked beside us for many years, while others joined us for a shorter but important season. Each gave something valuable to the program and helped shape Tattle Tail into what it is today. Their time, knowledge, hard work, encouragement, friendship, and love for the dogs will always be woven into our foundation.

To those serving with us today—and to everyone who helped us reach this point—thank you for believing in the mission, standing with me through the challenges, celebrating the victories, and helping turn a deeply personal dream into a purpose that has touched so many lives.

“A dream may begin in one heart, but it takes many faithful hands—and more than a few muddy paws—to bring it to life.”

Amy Gooch

Long time friend and Mentor

Amy Has been training dogs for over 40 years. Her Golden Retrievers have achieved dozens of titles in a variety of sports including obedience, tracking, agility, and rally, as well as retriever field events.

Amy enjoys training and competing with her dogs, but really loves to help others improve their skills and their relationships with their dogs. While well versed in a variety of training methods, she now focuses on helping dogs learn through shaping behaviors using positive methods.

Amy and KC have been friends for many years and enjoy working together to help dogs and their people.

Andi Phillips

Trainer

Trauma bonded over some weird experiences, Andi and Kc have become friends and now get into plenty of shenanigans together training a variety of wayward dogs/ handlers that cross their paths.

Ava Hata

Trainer and Brain

A type 1 diabetic since 18 months old, Ava Hata started in dogs as a young girl, spending her summers apprenticing under many accomplished trainers. There was one, though, that helped shape her as a person, trainer, and handler: KC Owens. From Westminster Kennel Club to Prado gun dog training park to Disneyland with her diabetic alert dogs, Ava has had the privilege of learning from many dogs who've each contributed to her life in priceless ways. Here, she is pictured with her Bruin, guided-trained by KC Owens. 

Chelsea Jensen

Trainer and Breeding Assistant

Chelsea loves to spend time with her dogs from hunting to heeling. She has achieved titles in both Hunt Tests and Rally. She loves to meet dogs and find out their quarks and what makes them their unique selves. She enjoys looking at pedigrees to see what matches might be good for future litters. *Every day we spend with our dogs is another day we can learn from them!

Cooper Moea’i

Trainer

Cooper loves dogs and has spent a lot of time learning about them, learning from them, even working with them as his chosen form of employment.

As a Type 1 diabetic who understands what it is like to deal with an unwanted disease, his goal is to help provide others with a partner who can save their lives.

Edie Schoepp

Puppy Evaluator, Friend, Wealth of Knowledge

Edie has been working with dogs and the dog community for over 45 years. She has participated in: obedience, tracking, schutzhund, drug detection, herding, nose-work, drafting, agility, endurance events, fly-ball, therapy dogs, service dogs, television dogs, shelter rescue and professional puppy testing. Edie's passion lies in the areas of drive shaping and behavior, where she enjoys problem solving with people and their dogs in all types of work. She believes dogs enjoy life and perform their best when they understand what their partner expects of them. Edie also enjoys judging obedience competitions, especially the novice class, where she can encourage new handlers. Edie lives with her Belgian Malinois Paisley, and has had two other Malinois and three Dobermans grace her past.

Eric Vanstaveren

Trainer and Boat Jumper

A long time dog trainer, hunter, foodie, and outdoor person. Eric started learning how to train dogs in 1996 and then started learning how to train correctly when he met KC in 2002.

He grew up with dogs but had no idea how to train them. when he was about 10 years old, I made a promise to our family dog Tasha, that I would learn how to train dogs. He strives to honor that promise every day with every dog he comes in contact with.

Eric tries to be humble and pay forward all the goodness and kindness, that has been shown to him by so many wonderful dogs and wonderful people throughout life.

Haylee Lape

Trainer and Class Assistant

Haylee Lape grew up alongside dogs and loves to meet all different breeds. She was diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic in 2011. She got her first service dog from Tattle Tails in 2018. Together her and Astrid, her service dog, have learned much from KC Owens. Every dog is a new story and lesson to learn. Here pictured is Haylee with her dogs, Astrid and Wade, trained under guidance from KC Owens

Jessica Gocke

Trainer

My journey with Tattle Tail Scent Dogs began in 2018 with a dog who would completely change my life—Ryder. From the very beginning, Ryder was more than just a scent dog. He became an incredible partner, companion, and protector who has helped save my life on many occasions.

In 2022, Zina joined our family, and she quickly became another life-changing part of my story. Both Ryder and Zina have shown me firsthand the incredible impact a properly trained scent dog can have—not only through what they are trained to do, but through the connection and confidence they bring to the people they serve.

Because of what these two dogs have given me, being involved with Tattle Tail Scent Dogs has become incredibly meaningful. I work alongside KC whenever she needs an extra hand and help support families throughout their journeys with scent dogs. Whether it’s answering questions, helping with training, supporting a family, or simply being there when someone needs help, I’m always happy to contribute wherever I can.

Zina has also taken on an especially important role as a mama dog for future diabetic alert dogs. It is incredibly special to know that her puppies may someday become the dogs that change someone else’s life the way Ryder and Zina changed mine.

I’m incredibly grateful to be part of this community and to have the opportunity to help create, train, and support dogs that can give families something truly priceless: greater independence, confidence, and peace of mind.

Joey Phillips

Puppy Whisperer

Joey is a 14-year-old dog enthusiast who has been training, showing and competing in various venues with dogs for about five years. She owns a 4-year-old Manchester Terrier, Quill, who works as her Hearing Service Dog. As her time allows, she assists training service dogs and enjoys training puppies before they go to their new homes. Outside of the dog world, Joey is also a member of a competitive shooting team. With her passion for animals and years of hands-on experience, she has goals to one day become a veterinarian.

Kristi Urban

Right Hand and Dog’retary

Kristi volunteers to cover all the bases from administrative responsibilities, event planning & coordination, assisting with fundraising ideas and travel arrangements for new Tattle Tail families.
Kristi has a “can do” attitude and ensures everything is taken care of for all things Tattle Tails. She will often be your first point of contact with our organization and guide you through the path to begin your journey with you Tattle Tail.

Kristi has had the pleasure of having not 1 but 2 Tattle Tails in her life who have also been in our mama dog program producing 4 litters throughout the past several years.  She and her current Tattle Tail “Epic” are always together on their adventures.  They have enjoyed AKC activities like competition obedience, rally, and hunt tests over the past 5 years.  Epic is an ambassador for the program and this team is always willing to share what a Tattle Tail’s is all about.

Madi Stocking

Trainer and Class Assistant

Type 1 diabetic since 5 years old. Dogs have always been a part of my life. Had a Chesapeake and a lab growing up. Then my family met KC, it was then that we had the amazing opportunity to raise and train my first diabetic alert dog. TattleTail’s Midnight Monster AKA Sulley! He taught my whole family especially me that the disease is a part of who I am not what i am. I now have the opportunity to raise and train my second dog Boon. Who teaches me something new every day but mostly to stay on my toes cause you never know what to expect!

Robert Reed

Trainer, Friend, Out Side the Box thinker.

Robert is a Golden Retreiver loving guy who is passionate about Agility and fun things to do with dogs! He loves to find what makes these dog tick and enjoys abstract training methods to really think it out. Inventor of the “Stupid Circles.” What a guy to know!

Built on Trust

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Fueled by Purpose

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Family isn't always Blood

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Built on Trust · Fueled by Purpose · Family isn't always Blood ·

In the wild…

  • Aly, Edie and Kristi CGC

  • Astrid and Haylee 1st Rally!

  • Ava and Never

  • Beamer Jr Qualificaion and Chelsea and Kc discussing who gets what end

  • Ava and Butte

  • Dart and Robert with a Senior Hunter Qualification

  • Edie wiht Paisley and KC with Totem

  • Epic and Kristi with Obedience Qualification

  • Epic at Tractor Supply

  • Eric and Rainey Junior Hunter Title!

  • Eric and Spendy Headed to run a Senior

  • Haylee and Nova conquoring the glass floor!

  • Jessica and Ryder Dock Jumping

  • Edie and Paisley