September 2024 All-Star: Ray and Carol Caito

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For retrievers and their trainers, fall can be a busy time, and the Caitos are no exception. Ray and Carol Caito have only been training and running dogs for the last fifteen years, leaving their mark on several organizations. They are also one of the few husband and wife duos that actively compete against each other.

 

Ray and Carol first became interested in gundogs when they bought their Golden Retriever Frisco in 2009. Frisco immediately took to bumper training, and the Caitos decided to continue training him as a duck dog as a side hobby. This hobby took off when they got a British Retriever named Hunter in 2011. Frisco would go on to earn a Master Title, and Hunter is now in the HRC Hall of Fame.

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Currently, the Caitos have ten dogs and compete in the Super Retriever Series and the HRC. Ray’s dog Trager passed his fourth Grade and is also in the HRC Hall of Fame. More recently, the Caitos both finished in first place for the open and amateurs at an SRS event earlier this year.

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At the Grand last year, Ray ended up meeting Joy salesman Micheal Terry, who convinced him to try Joy. “After moving to Joy, I saw their coats were shinier, their teeth had no tartar, and the stools looked great,” says Ray. While breeding two of their dogs, they fed our Super Meal 30/20. The vet tech helping them was so impressed, that she began using Joy too. The Caitos currently feed Joy Super Meal, Puppy Food, and Adult Performance.

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The Caitos also compete against each other with separate dogs at these events, being the only husband and wife who do so in the SRS. Additionally, Ray was appointed president of the HRC Foundation earlier this year. This organization grants young gundog enthusiasts college and technical school scholarships. Last year alone, they helped thirty-five applicants.

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The Caitos are gearing up for quite the Autumn this year. Currently, they have four dogs running in the Master Nationals and Grand. They also have three dogs competing in the SRS Crown Championship. If you want to feed what champions feed, check out our Joy Super Meal 30/20 and High Energy 24/20. Made with 510 and 505 k/cals per cup, Joy will power your dog through and hunt test or field trial without breaking a sweat.

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