Las Cruces dock diving center makes a splash

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A dock diving center in Las Cruces where dogs get to cool down is making quite the splash this summer.

Las Cruces Dock Diving & K9 Event Center provides dock diving, hydro dash, air retrieval, and swimming for dogs of all sizes and breeds.

The Las Cruces Police Department K-9s also attend the center free of charge as part of the “We Have Your Six” movement in Las Cruces which was created after Officer Hernandez’s death.

The facility has been operating since 2019 and is currently owned by Steve Stochaj, Nancy Chanover, Victor Villalobos, and Shannon Murray.

Murray says Stochaj, Chanover, and Villalobos are judges with North America Diving Dogs (NADD), which is an organization that has enhanced the dog sport by working with dock diving facilities and competitors across North America, according to NADD.

Murray says the facility is affiliated with NADD where dogs and their owners can compete and earn ribbons and titles if they choose to.

“Some just come to swim and burn energy off their dogs, so it’s very good,” Murray said.

Murray says they hold around six to eight NADD events a year and will be holding a four-day competition in August.

Murray says she focuses mainly on the poolside such as teaching dogs how to swim, dive, air retrieve, and hydro dash.

“The dogs just crack you up when they’re barking and jumping and you can tell they’re having a good time,” Murray said.

Murray says the facility runs by appointment and all dogs are welcome.

The facility also offers obedience classes and agility classes which are by appointment only and are provided by Cloud K-9.

For more information on fees and paperwork that’s required before attending the facility, click here: Las Cruces Dock Diving and K-9 Event Center.

Murray says they also have regular attendees who use the facility weekly, some of which compete regionally and nationally.

Gregg Tracy and his 8-year-old Belgian Malinois Princess Leia have been visiting the center for two years. Tracy says Princess Leia needs a lot of exercise and stimulation. Tracy also says when Princess Leia was introduced to the diving center, she was jumping into the pool that same afternoon.

“I really look forward to it. It’s really fun. The folks that come here are great and it’s become my sport as well,” Tracy said.

Tracy says Princess Leia was invited to nationals last year after winning an event at the Southwest Regionals.

Kelsey Zufelt and her 2-year-old mini Australian Sheperd Maverick have been doing the sport for nine months. Zufelt says the center helps Maverick burn off energy and has opened up opportunities for him.

Zufelt says Maverick is currently competing in distance and hydro dash and has qualified for regionals which will be taking place this September in Las Cruces.

“You know Shannon and Vic are like really humble people. They’re amazing, they give back to the community. I love that this is like a small business that we can help support and they also give back as well,” Zufelt said.

Terry Melendez and her 3-year-old British black Labrador Luna have been going to the center for two years. Melendez says Luna loves the water and it’s great exercise for her.

Melendez says they both go to the center once a week and do a 30-minute session where Luna can have fun and enjoy the pool.

“For us, we look forward to her being so happy. She’s just so much happier coming here and she gets along with Shannon really well and I mean you can see she’s just a very happy dog.”

Kelsie Boswell and her six-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer Axel have been attending the center for about two years. Boswell says they’re also preparing for regionals which will be taking place this September in Las Cruces.

Axel has also competed in the Diving Dogs ESPN challenge, which will be airing later this year on ESPN 2.

Boswell says competition is a lot of fun and the center has changed Axel’s life.

“I don’t know what he would be doing without keeping him busy here at the dock so it’s drastically changed his life and it’s kept him busy and fit and doing something that’s nice and cool in the summer time so yeah definitely worth it,” Boswell said.

Boswell also says that she’s met life-long friends while doing the sport.

Danny Garcia and her Australian shepherd Hershey have been attending the center for about three years now.

Garcia says Hershey is from El Paso and was rescued after he was found in the desert. Garcia says Hershey placed sixth during nationals two years ago in the masters division. Hershey also got 17th place in nationals last year and was able to move up a bracket.

Garcia says the center has helped Hershey get used to other dogs and has helped him calm down since he’s a reactive dog. Garcia also says the center feels more like a family.

“I found like a dog family and everyone is really helpful. Everyone is very uplifting. It’s a very positive environment and I encourage everyone who has a crazy reactive dog to come and let out energy here and everyone will treat you like family. No one judges you for your dog being too crazy,” Garcia said.

Jose Carrera and his two American Staffordshire Terriers K and Rocco have been attending the center since they were 8-months-old. Carrera says K is four and a half years old and Rocco is a year and three months old.

Carrera says they both did amazing from the beginning and are good at what they do.

Carrera says that competition is about the best his dogs can do every single time.

“The cool thing about NAAD is that you’re not really competing against anybody else. You’re competing to see if your dog gets the results that it typically gets,” Carrera says.

Carrera also says the center helps K and Rocco train for competition as much as they can.

“For one you create a really tight bond with your dog. You create a really nice team with your dog. So it gives you a real strong sense of accomplishment. You’re doing an activity that’s real healthy with your dog and you’re part of it and it’s one of the few sports where if I’m bad they don’t care and I enjoy it together with them,” Carrera said.

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