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Wildrose Kennels Staff

Mike Stewart: President, Wildrose Kennels

With forty years of association with dogs, pointers, flushers, retrievers, as well as hounds and obedience companion dogs Mike developed the Wildrose facilities creating a comprehensive gundog-training program focused exclusively on the English Labrador, specifically for the wingshooter and outdoor enthusiasts. He developed the unique, positive, training methodology, "The Wildrose Way," which is being recognized across the country. Over the past nine years, he has appeared in a variety of television programming featuring retriever training including "The World of Ducks," with Drake and Deke, the Ducks Unlimited mascots, " Benelli's American Bird Hunter," The American Sportsman," and other sporting programs. He has produced a series of best-selling DVDs, for hunting dog training, "The Gentleman's Gundog" series. Mike retired as Chief of Police, University of Mississippi in 2000 after a 25-year career in law enforcement, a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a BPA and MCJ, as well as the FBI National Academy in 1989. He retired from the US Navy Reserves as a Commander in 2005 with nine years as a NCIS credentialed agent.

Cathy Stewart: Vice President, Wildrose Kennels, Sales and Business Manager

Cathy is a retired educator with twenty years of classroom experience and ten years of teaching on the University level. She obtained her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction in 1995 and became certified with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 1997. For twenty years Cathy directed the annual Faulkner and Yoknaptawpha Conference at the University of Mississippi, which brought people from around the world to study William Faulkner in his hometown. Cathy is the business manager and sales coordinator for Wildrose. She brings her experience in education, curriculum and instruction, and event organizational skills to Wildrose to enhance its mission.

Lanette Drewrey: Veterinarian Technician and Manager of Health Care Services

Lanette joined Wildrose in June of 2002, as an animal health care specialist and was promoted to veterinarian technician in February, 2004. While pursuing a biology degree at the University of Mississippi, Lanette worked part time, as vet tech, for the Lafayette Animal Clinic from January, 1999 through February, 2004, assisting in surgery and on farm calls. Currently, Lanette supervises the Wildrose husbandry programs and health care for our sires and dams along with the dogs in training. She is responsible for supervising the Wildrose Super Learner Program (SLP) and the Super Scent Series (SSS).

Mary Lee Ward: Retail Manager, Assistant Office Manager

Mary Lee is the E-commerce and retail sales manager for Wildrose Trading Company, responsible for store retailing and online sales. She is the coordinator for informational systems for kennel operations and directs recreational activities and special events at the Oxford facility. She graduated from Ole Miss in 2009 with a bachelor degree in Park and Recreation Management. Mary Lee began working parttime for Wildrose in January of 2007. She returned in September, 2009, to Wildrose from Amelia Islands Plantation, Florida, where she coordinated recreational activities for the resort.

Clint Swinney: Facilities Manager

Clint is the manager of all Wildrose facilities and grounds. He is responsible for the care, maintenance, and improvement of the grounds, structures, landscapes and equipment. Clint is a native of Hamilton, Alabama and he is currently completing his final work on a degree from Mississippi State University. His past experiences on the farm and outside labor jobs complement his vast skills needed to address the responsibilities of facility manager. Clint relocated to Oxford with his wife, Anna and son, Nathan. He also provides off-site training support for dogs in the Wildrose DAD program.

Ben Summerall: Trainer

Ben is a Trainer II training gundogs and adventure dogs. He began training dogs on the amateur level in January of 2002. Ben first began work for Wildrose in May of 2005, as a kennel assistant. After gaining experience working a number of started pups, Ben became a full time trainer in March of 2008. His duties currently include retriever training, assisting in the direction of the retriever training programs and providing technical support for Wildrose social media. Ben also makes a number of appearances for Wildrose demonstrating retrievers and providing training at Wildrose workshops.



Patrick Allen: Trainer

Patrick comes to us from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He began working for Wildrose in August of 2007 as a kennel assistant and trainer apprentice and was promoted to Assistant Trainer in 2008 when he began working full-time for Wildrose. Patrick was promoted to trainer in 2010. His responsibilities are directed toward our Gentlemen's Gundog and Adventure Dog Training Programs.

Blake Henderson: Keeper

Blake attends The University of Mississippi, studying business management. He began working for Wildrose as a part-time kennel assistant in January, 2007. He was promoted to Keeper in 2008 with responsibilities that include maintenance, facilities, grounds and exercising sires and dams, moving to a full-time position in 2010. He's also authorized to participate in our Super Learner Backgrounding program for puppies.

Steven Lucius: Trainer and Apprentice

Steven is a full-time assistant trainer at Wildrose and is a legacy following his brother, Charlie Lucius, who worked three years at Wildrose as a Kennelman and a year and a half as a full-time trainer. Originally from Marietta, Georgia, Steven is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a degree in marketing. Steven began working for Wildrose in March of 2008 as a part-time, kennel assistant. He was promoted in 2010 to training apprentice working directly with Mike’s string of started and finished dogs. June 1, 2011, Steven was promoted to assistant trainer working with the gundog and adventure dog training programs.

Miles Lee: Kennelman

Miles is a part-time kennelman who is an avid outdoorsman and waterfowler. Miles is from Sandersville, Georgia and is attending the University of Mississippi pursuing a degree in Business Management. Miles came to us in April, 2010 and is doing an exceptional job in kennel and ground maintenance, our dog exercise program and participating in our puppy backgrounding services.

Benton Hilbun: Health Care Assistant

Benton lives in Tupelo, Mississippi and currently works with Wildrose as a Health Care provider. He had previous experience with a local veterinarian in Tupelo prior to joining Wildrose. Benton’s talent with canine health care is a valuable asset to our overall program. Benton began working with Wildrose in 2009 as a kennelman and in 2010 was moved to the health care staff where he assists with the Wildrose Super Learner/Super Scent puppy programs and provides health care for all Wildrose canines.

Kayla Britt: Health Care Assistant

Kayla graduated from Lafayette High School in May of 2008. She began working for Wildrose in February of 2008. Her responsibilities consist of puppy care, conducting the Super Learner program for puppy socialization, assisting with animal health care and exercise, as well as, maintaining the health care facility. She is currently completing her associate degree in Veterinary Technician at Northwest Community College.

Glennis Marshall: Health Care Assistant

Glennis is from Holly Springs, Mississippi, and is currently enrolled at Ole Miss. She started volunteering at All Animal Hospital in January, 2007. That year Glennis began working for a local veterinary office as a health care assistant before coming to Wildrose in July, 2008. Her tasks include socializing puppies, maintaining cleanliness in the health care facility and the exercising of Wildrose broodstock. Glennis conducts the Super Learner and Super Scent Backgrounding program for puppies.

Associate Trainers

Josh DeWitt: Associate Trainer

Josh is a mechanical engineer and is currently employed by Nordenia USA in Jackson Missouri. He has been training the Wildrose Way for the last six years and ran in the Wildrose British Championship annually since 2004. Josh has a fourth place finish and two second place finishes. He has also spent time in England the past three years training with Vic Barlow, the Wildrose associate in England. Josh instructs obedience classes for canines and assists with Wildrose workshops throughout the country. In April 2006, Josh assumed his current position with Wildrose as an associate trainer for our started dog program.

Jay Lowry: Associate Trainer

Jay is a practicing dentist in his hometown of Vandalia, Illinois. He has a wife, Erin, and two children, Jack and Piper. Jay bought his first Wildrose dog in August of 2003, and two and a half years later Jay won the Wildrose British Championship in April of 2006. In September of 2006 Jay assumed his position as associate trainer for our started dog program. Jay provides training support for on-the-road Wildrose seminars and demonstrations.

Craig Korff: Associate Trainer

Craig has been a Product Manager for one of the Midwest's largest wood truss manufacturers for the past 30 years. Craig began training retrievers in 1974 and has shown German Wirehaired Pointers and trained them in the field as well. He bought his first Wildrose dog in 2001 and has been training "The Wildrose Way" ever since. In 2004, Craig became an Associate Trainer for the started dog program. He has trained and handled Wildrose dogs to a first place finish in the Wildrose Retriever Championship in 2005, the Gun's Choice Award in 2006, and the Gun's Choice Award at the Double Gun and Retriever Classic in 2007. Craig and his wife, Carol, reside in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.

Tom Smith: Associate Trainer

Tom owns an industrial construction company and recently moved from Lexington, KY to Oxford. MS. He and his wife, Amy, are avid dog people with two Wildrose dogs and a Newfoundland. Tom bought his first Wildrose dog in 2008 and adopted retired stud, Hamish, in 2010. He came to Wildrose and embraced the Wildrose Way after training his first dog the traditional American style. Tom joined the Associate Trainer staff in 2010 and provides support at the Kennel and on-the-road seminars all over the country.

Tim Clancy: Associate Trainer

Tim is a Lieutenant Firefighter/Paramedic on his hometown fire department in Whitman, Massachusetts. Tim is married to Danielle and they have one daughter, Kiley. Tim bought his first Wildrose dog in 2007 and has been training "The Wildrose Way" ever since. Tim assumed his position as an associate trainer in the fall of 2009, expanding our training capabilites into the Northeast. Tim participates in the started dog program and assists with on-the -road Wildrose seminars and events, including the Orvis Cup at Sandanona.

Joe Dan Robinson: Associate Trainer

Joe Dan is the manager of a 7,000-acre farming operation in the Mississippi Delta, Maxwell Farms. Joe Dan bought his first Wildrose dog, Preacher, in 2005 and trained him “The Wildrose Way.” He bought his second Wildrose dog, Smoke, in January, 2009. Joe Dan and Preacher won the Wildrose British Championship in October, 2009, at which time he joined the Wildrose team as an associate trainer. He is also an exceptional waterfowler and experienced guide. Joe Dan and his wife, Carly, live in Stoneville, MS, with children, Katie and Addison.

The Thorntons: DAD Associates

The Thornton family, Rachel (mom), Mark (Dad) Abi (a type 1 diabetic), Beth, Lydia, and Timothy supported Abi in her training of Mr Darcy, a Wildrose Labrador who takes care of Abi. They receive many daily inquiries about Diabetic Alert Dogs, want to help others in their search for a great DAD and had the opportunity to start a few pups. The Thorntons have learned a lot by having a diabetic alert dog in their home - the importance of both a strong, clear alert as well as the importance of a solid foundation of obedience/ public access skills. The Thorntons are a talented, unselfish family, who spend an enormous amount of time supporting Type 1 diabetics across the nation who are seeking Diabetic Alert Dogs or need assistance training their DAD. Rachel is the person behind www.diabeticalertdog.com. They currently reside in Aberdeen, Mississippi and are starting Wildrose pups to become Diabetic Alert Dogs.