The student was recently named to the 2026 American Kennel Club Junior Agility Team USA, along with 21 other high school students across the country.
Landowski and the other team members were asked to submit two videos of competition runs and were selected based on those submissions and a set of questions they answered about their skill level and training.
It’s a dream come true for the Aledo teen.
“I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity to represent the dog sport community of the US internationally,” Landowski said. “I am very proud of all our training and the many hours of work, as well as the talented mentors and trainers I have worked with. I am even more excited to get to meet other young handlers and learn from the coaches.
“This is the first dog I have ever gotten to train myself, and amazingly, we were able to make it onto the team.”
Landowski has always been passionate about animals and, as a child, would train her older family dog by luring him with sticks in the backyard.
Three years ago, Landowski got a new dog, a Border Collie, and there was an immediate connection.
“I got Neo at nine weeks old with the purpose of wanting to compete in obedience - and we do,” Landowski said. “Before agility, I have competed in obedience, rally, scent work, fast cat, and have been therapy dog certified, to name a few.
“I love canine behavior and training, so I love working towards different goals. Agility has been, by far, the sport we enjoy the most. We started training for formal obstacles about two years ago, and competed for the first time in agility in the summer of 2025. It requires fast thinking, good timing, and even better communication with your dog.”
And Neo is not named after Keanu Reeves’ character in The Matrix.
“We commonly get asked if it is,” Landowski said. “It is actually from the Greek word νέος, pronounced ‘neos,’ which means ‘new’ or ‘youthful.’ I thought it was very fitting for my first young dog, who was new to me, and my first youth attempt at training a dog.
“His registered name is Starlost Gift, which is due to the song ‘Starlost’ and a gift being something new, like his name. Keep in mind, I was 14 when I got him, and sometimes I wonder if I would have named him something different.”
Agility, in general, is a physically demanding and fast sport.
The dog must make it over all the obstacles in the correct order within the time limit. Obstacles include jumps, weave poles, tunnels, and contacts, like ramps and frames.
“The handler’s job is to guide the dog over these in the correct order,” Landowski said. “This is easier than it sounds. It can be easy to send your dog over the wrong jump due to how complicated turns can be. You must time your cues very well to be efficient and successful. The dogs love it because they get to run and play. It’s a game to them. JAO will have large courses that require lots of running for me to get to where my dog needs to be.”
Landowski’s passion for dog handling extends to volunteer work, as well, as the Aledo teen has been helping at the Weatherford Animal Shelter since 2020, when she was too young to handle the dogs by herself.
“My mom would kindly take me every week to walk the dogs when I needed an adult with me, but I can now drive myself and go alone,” Landowski said. “I enjoy getting to exercise these dogs. They don’t get time out of the kennels aside from what volunteers and guests can give them. Just ten minutes can make a big difference in lowering their stress, which increases their chances of getting adopted.”
A high school senior, the Aledo teen will attend Oklahoma State University this fall and major in Wildlife Biology and Pre-Veterinary Medicine.
As for the competition, Landowski would love to medal, but added that doing so is not her ultimate objective.
“My goal for the competition is to try our best to have clean (no fault) runs and improve on our skills in the months leading up to it,” Landowksi said. “While a podium placement is exciting, at the end of the day, I want my dog to feel successful.
“Just like people, they have off days and weaknesses. Some courses are harder for one dog than for another. While I hope we get to make it up on the score sheets, having fun with my dog and creating a positive environment is always the end goal.”
Landowski and Neo will compete in the Large (24”) category at the Junior Agility Open (JAO) from July 10–12 in Mannheim, Germany.
The team is entirely self-funded and seeking community supporters and silent auction donations to help cover travel expenses.
To support Landowski and Neo, visit Paypal.me/AgilityJuniors (note “for Sarinah Landowski”).
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