Luratics is an all-breed dog sporting club that provides lure coursing, earthdog and other dog sporting events. We started out with just lure coursing and almost all dogs turn into "lunatics" over "lure coursing", hence our name! If your dog loves to run, chase, go to ground or just have fun, this group is definitely for you!
Luratics started in La Mesa, California, a suburb of San Diego, in September of 2005. Pat Bennett, CEO and founder, wanted something for her then-8-month-old Bedlington Terrier, Lucy, to do to channel her boundless energy. Pat, an avid dog enthusiast for many years, had just undergone total joint replacement surgery of her left knee and couldn't do much physically, but she discovered that lure coursing didn't take much human participation, so Luratics was created. In the beginning there were only about 7 dogs who ran every month and it was a simple, one-person operation. However, in July 2005 Luratics was invited to provide the lure coursing event at Wags-for-Wishes and after that it really began to grow. Now our events regularly draw an average of 28-32 dogs, and we're still growing!
From our humble beginnings, Luratics has evolved into the popular monthly event club you all know and love, and is a regular at Wags-for-Wishes every July. Our core crew consists of Pat Bennett, Lure Operator, Priscilla Butcher, Huntmaster, Daynah Robledo-Hooper, Table Manager, Yoli Escobar, Paddock Master, and Jen Petit, Photographer. Come out and join us at one of our events!
Pat with Grady, an Irish Wolfhound
Lucy at about 5 months
In 2010 we are going to make the transition from a sole-proprietorship to a 501(C)3 Charitable organization so we can do some good for the dogs of San Diego.
Our most critical need is a permanent home where we can run every week and provide a safe place for dogs (and cats) that have been abandoned by their families due to the mortgage crisis. We'll need donations of money so we can buy a suitable property. Pat is a real estate/mortgage broker so she'll be using her commission as part of the down payment but we'll need more than that to get this off the ground.
If you'd like to help, contact Pat either by email or by phone at 619-749-0304.
One of our fun parties!
Want to join our team? Luratics is currently seeking Board Members to help us grow into a charitable organization. Do you have skills in finance, marketing, management, animal health care, event planning or time to give? Then we need you!
We'll also be seeking a Field Manager as soon as we find a permanent home. If you have solid dog experience (especially behavior dynamics and socialization), the ability to manage events, an outgoing and positive demeanor and a mechanical aptitude, we want to talk to you! Call Pat directly or email her to set up an interview today!
We're always looking for good field crew members, too! If you love dogs, this is the place to be!
Luratics is the place to be for people and their dogs, so take a stroll around our site and have fun! See you on the field!!
Pat with Cricket, 2005