'Utterly unique': Family and friends pays tribute to Burley dog agility champion Jen Lewis after sudden death

Family and friends have paid tribute to Burley-in-Wharfedale’s Jen Lewis, one of the country’s top dog agility trainers, after she died suddenly at a competition in Scotland.

Jen, who taught in Otley and New Farnley, Leeds, sadly passed away in East Lothian on July 5. She was 53.

Her sister, Charlotte Davies, described Jen as “utterly unique” and a woman with a huge personality, a sharp sense of humour and a gift for making people feel supported.

“You don’t meet many people like Jen,” Charlotte told the Yorkshire Evening Post. “She was funny, helpful, kind - always there if anybody needed her. The amount of in-jokes we had and the silly things we laughed about were just fantastic.”

Charlotte's husband, Gareth, said the couple had not fully appreciated just how respected Jen was in the dog agility community until the messages started pouring in.

“She was a larger-than-life person,” Gareth said. “She loved Monty Python and that kind of humour. In the agility world, she was a past world champion with her dog Spud, a top coach, trainer and judge - but we didn’t really understand how well-respected she was until now.”

Jen was the owner and head trainer at Freymor Dogs, where she built a reputation as one of the country's top dog agility trainers.

Over the years, she competed at the highest level, including at Crufts, representing Great Britain and winning national finals.

Charlotte said her sister was constantly on the move - travelling the length and breadth of the UK for shows, judging appointments and training commitments - but that she loved spending time with family between events.

“She used to come and stay with us because we’re in a village where the dogs can just walk straight out from the house,” Charlotte said. “The dogs thought it was amazing. We always knew when she’d arrived because as soon as she let them out, you’d hear them barking in the garden.”

Since the news of her death was shared, tributes have flooded in from across the UK and overseas.

“We’ve had messages from all around the world,” Charlotte said. “Some are from people we knew, many from people we’d never met, all saying what a difference she made to them. It’s been really apparent just how many lives she touched, particularly through the dog community.”

Across the dog agility community, trainers and clubs have paid tribute to Jen, including Darleyfalls Border Collies, where she purchased Spud 15 years ago.

They wrote in a moving tribute: “She has given Spud the most amazing 15 years of life, winning a gold medal at a world event just being one part of their amazing career together. Jen absolutely doted on her dogs; they were her world.

“We will miss you, Jen. We're so sorry you were taken so young. The agility world is in mourning. Sleep peacefully.”

Leeds-based Hoop Doggy Dogs added: “Like so many I am still in shock and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Jen Lewis. Jen was a world gold medal-winning agility competitor and a brilliant judge. She coached numerous teams through her club, Freymor Dogs, and made a huge impact in so many people’s lives with their dogs.

“I owe a lot to Jen professionally and have so much to be thankful to her for personally. She helped me during some really hard times. She cared.

“I will miss our long after-work chats, the laughs, and even the telling-offs!

“My deepest condolences go out to her family, friends, clients and everyone who had the privilege of running their dog under her watch. Rest in peace, Jen.”