Our Club
The North Saanich Dog Obedience Training Club — or NOSA, for short — is the second-oldest dog obedience club in B.C.’s Capital Regional District (after the Greater Victoria Dog Obedience Training Club). The acronym NOSA was formed 60 years ago by using the first two letters in the words “North Saanich,” a rural municipality just outside Sidney, British Columbia, on the tip of southern Vancouver Island.
From its 1947 origin as a private club, NOSA offered its first lessons to the public beginning in June of 1954. Classes were held in a variety of places before NOSA made Sidney’s Sanscha Hall home four years later. Sanscha Hall evolved into the Mary Winspear Center, where NOSA has been a continuous tenant since 1958.
More than 4,000 dogs have received training through NOSA’s beginner programs. Since many dog owners remain with the club in order to go on to more advanced training levels, NOSA estimates it has handled well over 17,000 registrations over the years. NOSA not only shows dog owners how to train their pets; the club also teaches and promotes responsible dog ownership among its members and the community alike.
NOSA also has a second component as a competition obedience club. Over the years, NOSA members have placed in Canadian Kennel Club national obedience rankings. NOSA is one of only two dog obedience clubs in the Capital Regional District sanctioned by the Canadian Kennel Club to stage licensed dog obedience trials. The club holds this trial every April. NOSA is also a member of the Association of Island Obedience Clubs (AIOC) — an alliance of dog obedience clubs on Vancouver Island from Victoria to Campbell River. The AIOC celebrated its 50th year in 2010.
Club Membership
There are 3 levels of membership at NOSA:
Ordinary Members (over the age of 16 years old) $20.00 per calendar year.
- Includes full AIOC (Association of Island Obedience Club) trialing privileges.
- May discuss and vote on all questions put to the membership at annual, special and general meetings.
- Can hold Executive office; and/or serve as members or chairpersons of Standing or Ad-Hoc committees.
Associate Members (over the age of 16 years old) $20.00 per calendar year.
- No AIOC trialing privileges.
- May discuss but not vote on, questions put to the membership at annual, special and general meetings.
- May serve on Standing and Ad-Hoc committees but may not hold committee chairmanships nor Executive Office.
Junior Members (16 years of age or younger) $5.00 per calendar year.
- Have all rights and privileges afforded Associate Members as well as full AIOC trialing privileges.
Member Benefits
Keep that membership card handy! The following individuals or businesses have special pricing or discounts for NOSA members!
Four Paws Pet Grocery & Boutique
At Four Paws we offer premium quality dog and cat food and a carefully curated selection of dog and cat supplies. Show your NOSA card and get 15% off all regularly priced pet accessories and treats.
- #305- 9810 Seventh Street, Sidney
- 250.656.5553
Buckerfield’s – Keating
Show your current NOSA membership card and save 10% on all pet accessories at Buckerfield’s
- 1970 Keating Cross Road, Central Saanich
- 250.652.9188
Integrity Sales & Distributors
Present your NOSA membership card for 10% off all retail hardware goods at Integrity Sales and Distributors.
- 2180 Keating Cross Road, Central Saanich
- 250.544.2072
Our Executive
Our Executive Committee
| President | Marilyn Clayton |
| Vice-President | Liz Aberdeen |
| Secretary | Sue Simeon |
| Treasurer | Gary Crawford |
| Training Chair | Cherry Condrey & Norah Shandley |
| Scent Detection Chair | Vacant |
| CKC Trials Chair | Daryl Freed |
| AIOC Trials Chair | Liz Russell |
| AIOC Representative | Bill Blair |
| Publicity Chair | Adam Selkirk |
Our Life Members
The first members honoured by the club were Don and Mollie Hudson. On Jan. 9, 1964, the Hudsons were presented with a life membership scroll for their help to NOSA and for “their interest in the training of all dogs to become better companions.”
Since then, the club has honoured the following people with life memberships, in recognition of their commitment and contributions to the club and the community, the students, and the dogs.
- Donald Hudson (1964)
- Mollie Hudson (1964)
- Mrs. Walker L. “Gwen” Taylor (1973)
- Commander Douglas H. S. Craven (1974)
- A. Ingraham Daillain (1974)
- Mrs. Evaline C. Lambert (1974)
- Mrs. Jean Read (1974)
- W. Kirby Gent (1975)
- Irene Copus (1981)
- Marion Graham (1982)
- Liz Hayes (1991)
- Karen Rae (1991)
- Anne Morrison (1991)
- Len Read (1991)
- Nona Butts (1993)
- Dawn Bell (2004)
- Marilyn Clayton (2004)
- Karen Blair (2004)
- Bill Blair (2004)
- Gil Montgomery (2005)
- Sharon Sundher (2015)
- Cherry Condrey (2015)
- Elaine Hobday (2015)
- Alix Day (2015)
- Rod Deacon (2016)
- Lee Pears (2020)
- Dave Wallace (2020)
- Judy Wallace (2020)