Storm Center: Leaping Leo a Disc Dog hit
Weingarten resident Nickie Nowak and her Australian shepherd, Leo, have formed a dynamic duo in the distance division of disc dog. The pair recently put on a performance during halftime of a Valle Catholic football game. (SUBMITTED PHOTO/Special to the Herald)
A column written by sports editor Eric Viccaro
This was not your typical haltime performance, and the fans were dazzled.
Weingarten resident Nickie Nowak tossed discs to her five-year-old Australian shepherd, Leo, during halftime of the Sept. 24 game between Valle Catholic and St. Francis Borgia.
It was like watching Valle Catholic quarterback Grant Fallert throwing a long bomb to wide receiver Aiden Heberlie for a Warrior TD.
“I got Leo in December in 2016,” Nowak explained. “I didn’t mean to get a disc dog.”
Nowak proceeded to enroll Leo in an agility lesson, but that didn’t stimulate this athletic pup.
“Then I tried disc, and a light bulb went off in Leo’s head,” Nowak said.
According to the American Kennel Club, Australian shepherds as a breed are smart, work-oriented and exuberant.
These dogs are considered herding animals. AKC considered Australian shepherds to be very good with young children and playful.
The breed needs a high degree of mental stimulation, the kennel club reports on its website: www.akc.org.
These dogs have are energetic and have the highest level of trainability possible, so there’s a lot to like about Australian shepherds.
Editor’s Note: This column doesn’t necessarily reflect the views of the Ste. Genevieve Herald or Better Newspapers.
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