Other than in college and the years she lived in Boston or New York City, Marti Touchstone has always had a dog or dogs. But it wasn't until ten years ago, when she brought her first Airedale Peach to CDTS, that she realized that training was the gateway to a whole new way of enriching the relationship with a canine teammate and deepening the bond between human and dog.

Marti's first competition dog is UCD Hardwerken Pure Pixilation UD AX AXJ RA NAP NJP ASCA/CD CGC, Delta Certified Therapy Dog, or Pixi. Pixi was ranked the top Novice A Terrier in the country in Obedience when she made her debut, now shows and competes in the Excellent classes in Obedience and Agility and was the only Airedale invited to the National Obedience Invitational in 2008. Like her housemates Peach and rescue Airedale Pubb, she is a certified therapy dog and is a frequent visitor at venues throughout Mission Hospitals, including Pediatrics, Copestone Kids, Children's Medical Evaluation, and Pediatric Outpatient Oncology. The newest addition to Marti's household is Airedale puppy Eclipse Big Hit or Punch, born in late August 2009.

Marti is active in Airedale Rescue and worked at a shelter in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. She is on the advisory board of Paws With a Purpose, Asheville's therapy dog organization, the board of directors of the Asheville Humane Society, and volunteers time with other community projects.

Marti teaches orientation for new students on Monday evenings at 6:30.