Lisa is one of the most accomplished distance handlers in NADAC. Her consistent, clear positive approach to dog training is evidence with her continual success with multiple dogs as well as the success of her students. Lisa has come home from the NADAC Championships with 13 trophies/distance cups with 6 different dogs. She has finished in Overall Top 3 at NADAC Champs 19 times with 10 different dogs including her Brittany and Aussie. She has earned 32 very rare and extremely hard to achieve distance awards with multiple dogs show consistency with distance and speed.
Highlights:
Multiple NADAC Championship Winners/Top 3 with Multiple Dogs (10 dogs on Podium)
4 Dogs with MODSQUAD (Master of Distance and Speed)
4 Dogs with over 32 Distance Awards (Silver, Gold and Purple Distance and Versatility Distance Cups)
Lisa Schmit is a passionate and dedicated dog trainer who believes in building confident, connected canine athletes—at every stage of life. With a deep commitment to both training and wellness, she focuses on helping dogs stay sound, strong, and happy through thoughtful fitness, clear communication, and smart agility handling.
As the founder of In The Zone Training, Lisa has created a supportive learning environment for agility handlers of all levels. Through individual skill classes or her All-Access Membership, she offers step-by-step guidance for everything from foundational distance work to advanced Bonus handling, along with fitness and massage techniques to keep dogs in peak condition.
Lisa isn’t just an expert—she’s a teacher at heart. She makes complex skills accessible, and she’s known for her practical, encouraging style. Whether helping a handler build their first start line stay or coaching a team to their 25th NATCH, Lisa blends science, experience, and heart in every lesson. Her goal is to help dogs and handlers thrive—not just in competition, but in every moment they share.
She doesn’t just want to train her own dogs—she wants to empower others. She builds structured learning communities (like All Access Membership), pays attention to what her students need, and she is always looking for ways to make information clearer, more inspiring, and easier to apply.
Lisa is detail-oriented, practical, and experienced—but also warm and approachable. She values connection: with her dogs, her students, and her community. At the same time, she is not afraid to advocate—whether it’s for better course design, more fairness in the sport, or just helping others understand what’s realistic to train. She strikes a balance between expertise and empathy.
With a PhD in Public Policy Analysis and certifications in canine fitness and massage, Lisa brings both academic depth and hands-on expertise to her work. Most importantly, she understands that great agility comes from trust, connection, and a whole lot of joy.
In short: Lisa is a passionate dog trainer, a generous educator, and a thoughtful advocate for both dogs and the people who love running with them.
Lisa’s info: inthezoneagility@gmail.com
www.inthezoneagility.com
To view NADAC Champs runs: http://bonker.homestead.com/champ.html
Click here for list of accomplishments
Here is my Training Philosophy
She is a Certified Canine Fitness Trainer through University of Tennesee
She is a Certified Pet Massage Practitioner through the Pet Massage Institute.
LISA SCHMIT PhD
Dr. Lisa Schmit
PhD Public Policy Analysis
Certified Canine Fitness Trainer
Certified Pet Massage Practitioner
Certified Canine & Equine Myo-Manipulative Functional Practitioner
Certified Animal Cold Laser Practitioner
Certified Canine & Equine Cranio-Sacral Practitioner
Certified Canine & Equine Kinesiology Tape Practitioner
Certified Human, Pet, Equine & Livestock Magnawave Practitioner
Dog/Puppy Agility Training Expert
