by Sunny Griffis

 

Nestled in the Greenhill area of Rutherfordton, you’ll find the beautiful Possum Hollow Farms, a female-operated enterprise specializing in stockdog training. Possum Hollow Farms, which offers a wide range of dog services, is the only facility of its kind for at least a 100-mile radius, positioning itself as a leader in the industry.

 

Vicki Hughes, owner and trainer, fell in love with dog training when she began working with her own dogs years ago. Having to regularly travel long distances to the nearest training center, Vicki quickly realized the need for local stockdog services.  She founded Possum Hollow Farms in 1993, successfully filling a niche, which as since facilitated the training of over 1,000 dogs.

 

Vicki runs the farm along with her sister, Robin Taylor, both of whom are also public school teachers.  Erin Ledbetter completes the team, serving as the full-time trainer.  Although maintaining an all-female staff wasn’t a conscious decision and they have welcomed male trainers in the past, “women just seem to be better teachers,” Vicki explains.

 

Dog training appears to be in Vicki and Robin’s genes.  Their grandfather worked with stockdogs in his youth, a fact they discovered well after they’d become established trainers.  Vicki shares, “I’m so proud of this heritage, I could burst, and would like to believe that the appeal of working with herding dogs is in my blood.”  Erin also grew up with animals and seemed to have a natural ability to read and understand the dogs when she began working at the farm three years ago.

 

Folks travel from all over the east to bring their dogs to Possum Hollow Farms, from Pennsylvania to South Carolina.  In addition to stockdog services and obedience training, the farm also hosts a herding club, “That’ll Do,” which meets monthly to “herd livestock, enjoy good company, and learn from each other.”  All levels of handlers and all breeds of dogs are welcomed at the club.  One member, Ian Hokinson of Winston-Salem, brings his border collie, Jess, every month to the club.  “I love the opportunity it gives to allow me to do something that Jess loves to do,” Ian explains.

 

The women and dogs of Possum Hollow Farms function as a big family.  They breed and raise border collies, as well as Anatolian Shepherd dogs, a Turkish livestock guardian breed. The Anatolians are large, gentle, and agile dogs that skillfully watch over herds of animals.  Interestingly, the Anatolians on the farm all have affectionate Biblical names, such as Eve, Moses, and “Deut.”  All the dogs on Possum Hollow Farms are treated like partners and are “worth their weight in gold,” according to Vicki.  “One border collie can do what takes several men and horses to accomplish,” Vicki elaborates. 

 

An Anatolian can eliminate coyotes, bears, cougars, and bobcats in order to protect its herd.  It also will protect its owners.  Moses, a loving Anatolian who’s been on the farm since puppyhood, saved Robin’s life one day from a German Shepherd attack.  The German Shepherd, who was experiencing undiagnosed medical issues, lunged at Robin, biting her leg and abdomen.  Moses defended Robin, causing the Shepherd to run away, and instinctively protected Robin’s life with his own.

 

Vicki, Robin, and Erin thoroughly enjoy working with dog owners and celebrate along with them when they reach milestones.  “My favorite part of training is seeing the excitement of the owners, and seeing how happy and proud [of their progress] they get,” Erin reveals.  Erin, who loves working with people just as much as with animals, takes her excellent communication and networking skills on the field.  She remains grateful for her full-time employment at Possum Hollow and has happily found herself as the only woman in Rutherford who is likely earning a sufficient living as a stockdog trainer.

 

Possum Hollow Farms features a laid back atmosphere in a beautiful setting, and offers herding clinics, pet obedience courses, and breeding services.  Visit PossumHollowFarms.com for more information, and to view class schedules and other upcoming events.