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.”
Our Current Team
Amy Gooch
Kc met Amy at a field trial many moons ago by being the only two women running dogs at a field trial, not mention, they were handling NOT black labs to boot!
Amy is an analytical mind who loves golden retrievers and has fun playing in many AKC sport venues!
Long Time Friend and Mentor
Andi Phillips
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.
Trainer
Trainer and Brain
Ava Hata
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.
Trainer and Breeding assistantChelsea Jensen
She 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
A young and coming guy in collage, he and Mushu are always around the Tattle Tail group and finding some mischief to play in.
Trainer
Edie Schoepp
Edie has been working with dogs and the dog community for over 35 years. She has participated in: obedience, tracking, schutzhund, drug detection, herding, nosework, drafting, agility, endurance events, flyball, 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.
Puppy Evaluator, Friend, wealth of knowlege
Trainer, Boat Jumper
Eric Vanstaveren
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.
TrainerHaylee Lape
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
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.
Trainer
Kristi Urban
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.
Right hand and Dogretary
TrainerMadi Stocking
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!
Trainer and outside box thinkerRobert Reed
Robert is a golden loving guy who is passionate about Agility and fun things to do with dogs! 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!