Summer wellness is important for man’s best friend, too.
My border collie, Daisy, was born to do one thing: herd. However, sheep are scarce in the suburbs, and running circles around the yard while corralling the neighbor dogs had gotten old for her. I’d take her on long walks or to the dog park and give her lots of praise. Still, something was missing.
I had heard about a dog-training facility down south, in the small town of Roy — a place where you could take your dog to herd sheep. I felt like it was time to treat Daisy to a special adventure. The car ride was a fun drive out into the country on our way to Roy. After a few turns, we drove down a gravel road arrived at a farm.
I was introduced to the farm’s owners, Joe Kapelos and his wife, Linda Leeman. Turns out, it isn’t really a farm at all — but a special outdoor facility named Ewe-topia. Kapelos and Leeman train dogs of any breed how to herd animals, such as sheep, ducks and cattle. They also teach their “students” how to run agility courses and successfully interact with other dogs and people.
Ewe-topia receives roughly 4,000 patrons on an annual basis — or 150 to 200 per week. Their clientele range from urbanites to farmers and everything in between.
“You know you’re doing something right if you have a farmer coming to you,” Kapelos said. “Farmers don’t like to spend money.”
- Agility courses are available if your dog still has energy to burn.
Leeman said herding brings people together, regardless of their occupation.
“It’s interesting how a state legislator can have a conversation with a knife sharpener just because they share a love of dogs,” she said.
Kapelos led us into one of the several herding pens containing sheep. As Kapelos brought the sheep out, he taught Daisy how to herd them into a cluster. Kapelos told me my only job was to stand there and be excited for her. “You don’t have to worry about doing anything else right now,” he told me. “You’re just the cheerleader. I’ve been doing this for 40 years, I know what works.”
After about 10 minutes of herding, Kapelos put the sheep back in their pen and Daisy’s first lesson was over. He and Leeman explained that they’ve been in business at Ewe-topia since 1992. However, this isn’t Kapelos’s first time around the pen.
- A more advanced student trains his German Shepherd.
He’s been herding since the 1970s when he started in Graham and has been around dogs all his life. A mailman for 30 years, Kapelos gave dog safety talks and demonstrations to other postal workers, teaching them how to respond to unruly dogs. He also worked with problem dogs for 10 years and began giving herding lessons after he started with livestock of his own.
“The biggest compliment is the owner who comes out enough times that they can control their dog elsewhere, with skateboarders, joggers and other dogs,” Kapelos said. “They’ve seen their dog become a better pet.”
Ewe-topia is more than a training facility; it’s a community of people who love dogs.
“It’s not just that your dog will become a better pet, you meet people here, make connections, friends and relationships,” Leeman said. “We’ve even had a couple of marriages. You can take your dog to a dog park, but they won’t get the kind of training that they would get here.”
Lessons cost $12 and first-timers are welcome, but you’ll need to call them in order to arrange your first visit.
Ewe-topia | 6311 S. 288th St., Roy | (253) 843-2929
