Nancy Carey’s life took an unexpected turn when she entered the world of dog sports, thanks to her Corgi, Lily.
“I’ve always been drawn to helping professions,” Carey said. “My mom encouraged me to explore teaching, and I’ve always had dogs as pets.” Today, Carey works as a pediatric occupational therapist, helping special needs students in the public school system. At home, Lily, one of the fastest Corgis in the U.S., has led Carey into a new world of competition and adventure.
“Lily has opened up a world I never expected,” Carey said. “Competing with her has taken us on road trips, introduced us to new people, and even led to national television appearances. I never imagined I’d experience anything like that.” Carey and Lily were featured on Good Day Columbus after competing in Fastest Dogs USA, a national event. “I’ve always preferred staying out of the spotlight, but Lily is pushing me beyond my comfort zone,” Carey added.
Carey’s journey began when she moved to Marion at the age of 10. After graduating from River Valley High School, she attended Ohio State University Marion and earned a master’s degree in occupational therapy from The University of Findlay.
Becoming a “Corgi person” was an unexpected outcome of a family tragedy. In 1982, after losing a mixed-breed dog, Carey’s father asked their vet for advice on a similar-sized breed. The vet recommended a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a breed unfamiliar to most at the time. That decision would forever shape Carey’s life.
Lily, her fourth Corgi, joined the family when she was 7 months old. Known for her energy, Lily was “a lot to handle,” so Carey enrolled her in various dog classes and activities, including barn hunt, dock diving, and scent work.
It was at a FastCAT Fun Run where Lily’s competitive spirit truly showed. “As soon as we arrived, she was thrilled. It was like she knew it was her favorite place, even though she’d never been there,” Carey recalled. After just one weekend of competition, Lily ranked No. 10 in the country for her breed in the AKC FastCAT list. “I was honestly shocked,” Carey said.
By the end of 2024, Lily had climbed to No. 3 in the country for Pembroke Welsh Corgis, earning an invitation to the AKC FastCAT Invitational in October. Lily also earned a spot in Fastest Dogs USA, an event co-produced by the AKC and ESPN. This year’s event was filmed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, and will air on ESPN2 on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Carey credits Lily’s success to her intelligence, agility, and strong herding instinct. “She loves to compete and collect ribbons,” Carey said.
Marie Buckingham, owner of The Gated Dock, a canine enrichment center, praised Carey for her advocacy for the Corgi breed. “Nancy is a passionate supporter, helping with fundraisers, picnics, and activities to raise awareness,” Buckingham said. “She shares her knowledge on enriching dogs’ lives, keeping them out of rescues and shelters. I’m proud to call her my friend.”
Before Lily, Carey had no experience in dog sports, but she now considers it an unexpected yet fulfilling part of her life. “It’s been a lot of learning, and a lot of fun,” she said.