UK9BG Club Member Spotlight: Tammy Thankachen

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Tammy has numerous passions, but her primary ones are her family, friends, Martial Arts and Dog Sports!

Tammy started training in Goju Ryu Karate 30+ years ago under Sensei Paul Sukys. Her interest and love sparked for Martial Arts after watching her son, Arek Thankachen start his career at the age of 3. He is a driving inspiration for Tammy!

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Tammy’s accolades in Martial Arts include opening up a Dojo called Oku Damashi Martial Arts 24 yrs ago and having her 3 kids by her side meant the world to her as they were learning together and studying under her. Also earning the honourable rank of a 5th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate, a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Kobudo (Ancient Art of Weaponry) and a 2nd Degree in the Kurama Yama Kickboxing System. Tammy also has delved into the Internal Martial Arts and teaches Tai Chi. She has coached for Team Canada’s National Karate Team at the World Championships for 8 yrs.

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Tammy owns and is the Lead Instructor at Oku Damashi Martial Arts and has done so for the past 24 years. She has proudly had the honour of mentoring and dedicating her time and knowledge to help the development of the sport and her students. And as a coach sharing her experience and passion to help others progress in their personal journey to become a better karate practitioner.

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She has taken athletes across the world to compete at the World Karate Championships for over a decade, having them reach the ultimate goal of earning a coveted podium spot and creating multiple World Champions over the years. She also has taught and coached many talented Muay Thai Kickboxers to successes in their Fights and International Competitions.

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Some of her proudest moments are watching goals being crushed, seeing the confidence, strength and skill sets of her students increase. And seeing her students reach and earn black belts and higher degrees of black. These are held close to her heart as with any good teacher she wants her students to succeed and surpass all that she has done.

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She has always had a love for dogs since she was a little girl. She has been lucky to share a lifetime with her husband Stano, who has an unyielding passion for training protection dogs. She has supported her husband’s business (Ultimate K9 Bodyguards) since 1999 and has become the training director for the Obedience programs within the company.

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She started training in one of the hardest dog sports out there, called PSA (Protection Sports Association) back in 2012 with our Cane Corso “Nero” Quickly realizing how difficult the sport was with an off breed she handed the reigns off to Stano who had a better connection and bond with Nero (PSA1 WD). She wanted to wait for the perfect match for her, a Malinois.

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Attending the 1st Canadian PSA trial hosted by Redline Shepherds (Ashley and Mike Anderson) in Ontario in 2013 is a monumental time where Tammy watched the inspirational, Jonathan Katz close out his PSA3 with his legendary dog, UZI PSA3 #10! To say this was a game changer for her is an understatement. She knew at that moment she wanted to emulate all that Jonathan had encompassed and had shown at that trial!

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It was there that she saw the electrifying excitement of seeing the love for the sport, the deep passion, dedication and bond he had with his dog that gave her incentive and drive to really delve into a sport she would quickly fall in love with and hold dear to her heart from then on.

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Her good friend and mentor who started her in PSA, Tony Pallotta had a Malinois litter shortly after that trial and gave her the honour of owing a spicy female Malinois from that litter.

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Working K9’s “GRACIE” (Dam: “CARMEN” out of Lobsters Homme “MAZZLE”) x Sire: Metropolitan’s “KANE” (bred by Katrina & Greg Williams, “NISHA” PSA 1 x “JACK”, Sean Siggins’ Police K9).

 

Fun fact:

Gracie’s lineage goes back to Girard Bradshaws lines)

Gracie was sharp, extreme and notorious for coming back up the line at her! She was a lot of dog for a first time handler, but through all the blood, tears and the crazy learning curve, through the ups and downs, Tammy was able to title Gracie to the PSA 1 level. She was the first female of any breed to earn a PSA 1 title in Western Canada! She was Decoys Pick Dog (which is always a top honour!) She also earned a CGN (Canine Good Citizen). Gracie’s PSA career ended early as she was attacked by Coyotes, leaving her with nerve issues in her back end, and she always wanted to have her dogs best interest at heart, so early retirement it was! Gracie is fondly known as “the Warden”, Grouchy, Grey, Crae-Crae, Crazy, but mostly Mama Mal. Gracie has made Tammy the handler she is today and she will always be grateful to Gracie for teaching her the hard ropes!

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Tammy’s second dog in the sport was Gracie’s daughter Stano’s Ultimate “Princess Jasmine” or “Jazzy”. They were able to achieve a PDC in the sport but as they trained for the higher levels, they found out she was not the dog for PSA, and Tammy is eternally grateful to Girard Bradshaw for having that hard heart to heart conversation about getting the right dog for the sport. Jazzy remains to this day as Tammy’s soul dog and is her protector! Tammy and Jazzy went onto compete in French Ring. Tammy is very upfront about her successes and failures in the sport and helps others who may experience similar outcomes.

As time went on, Tammy was in search for a good PSA prospect. She is a long time follower of Dave Kroyer and has always loved his iconic and legendary Malinois “IRIE” who is a multiple time French Ring 3 Regional Champion. The Nara Cup Domestic Champion. The Cup of Americas Vice Champion. He is a multi faceted Champion in Dock Diving, The Go Pro Mountain Games Iron Dog Dock Diving Champion, and also is the X Games Dock Diving Champion.

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As luck would have it IRIE had just sired a litter with “NAKITA” from Blanco Belgian breeders, (Robert & Aimee Oldaker) out of Texas. Stan personally had worked Nakita in protection when she lived in Canada and she is a very fiery female who is extremely serious!

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Needless to say, she was obsessed with the blue collar boy, he looked like a little grizzly bear, acted like one too! She loved his confidence that was through the roof! As the puppies grew, Robert understood the kind of dog that Tammy needed, next thing she knew Blanco’s A’Hard “KNOXX” was on his way to Calgary from Texas! And boy does he have some big paws to fill!

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Knoxx was a bossy pup who dominated all his litter mates (except his sister Astra). He is the perfect dog!

Tammy has had the honour of having Knoxx by her side for 5 yrs. They have accomplished the following through their journey in PSA: PDC, PSA1 x 2 WD, 2 x Trial Champ, 2 x High in Trial, 2 x High Owner Trained, 2 x High Owner Trained Club, 2x High in Protection, Decoys Pick Dog, PSA2, High in Obedience (Utah Trial). He was selected as a 2024 World Select Dog. (He was chosen to challenge decoys who were trying to earn a covenant spot on the elite PSA World Decoy list!

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Knoxx has been such a phenomenal addition to Tammy’s life, he is so much fun, a big goofy boy who loves to cuddle! He is also a movie dog and has been in the following: Under the Banner of Heaven (dog double) - Andrew Garfield, Gil Birmingham, Sam Worthington 2022 (Knoxx’s scenes were cut but Shaun’s dog Vato is in it)

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Wilderness - Oliver Jackson Cohen, Jenna Coleman, Eric Balfour

Knoxx and Tam were Search and Rescue team in the TV Series 2022

Fargo Season 5 - 2023 Juno Temple, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Jason Leigh

Knoxx was in earlier season as a militia dog

Knoxx and Tammy were on the SWAT K9 Team

The Order - 2023. Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult

Knoxx is a guard dog for the supremacy group

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If you were to ask Tammy what she thinks about competing in the highest, hardest level in the sport. She will be quick to respond humbly giving all respect and props to her Team at UK9BG! She is proud of her team and is eternally grateful for their unyielding support.

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Another honour she holds dear to her heart is that she is the Assistant Regional Director for PSA Canada. Tammy’s hard work, dedication, passion and love for the sport are her driving factors to help individuals learn about and grow PSA strong in Canada.

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Tammy also competes in Dock Diving with Knoxx, he is NADD’s 2023 Vice Champion and has a NADD DMA Title (Dock Master Advance). She is very excited to be setting up a 50ft pool at Ultimate K9 Bodyguards called “Shoguns” in the spring of 2025! She is proud to be adding this program to the Ultimate K9 legacy.

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Tammy and Knoxx are proud to be a Sponsored Athlete for Mountain Leather Co. Where she absolutely is obsessed with their products! Dani make the best quality leather work!

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The power of always growing and absorbing knowledge has led Tammy to take many seminars with World renowned Trainers and Champions, such as Tony Pallotta, Ashley Chmara, Mike Anderson, Jonathan Katz, Josh Knowlton, Jeff Riccio, Janet Dooley Edwards, Shawn Edwards, Khoi Pham, Girard Bradshaw, Sean Siggins, Walter Quense, Dave Kroyer and Joeri Veth.

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She has been mentored by some of the best in the World and will always hold a deep gratitude towards them! Huge thank you for taking me under your wings! Especially to Jonathan Katz, Khoi Pham and Shaun Thankachen. All of her accomplishments and successes all stem from their guidance over the years!

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The future is looking bright! Tammy cannot wait to see all the successes that her UK9BG team will achieve. And is looking forward to seeing all of Canadas talented teams shine! Big things are transpiring for PSA, especially in Canada and she is excited to be a part of the evolution and journey!