Cathy Howard(Schmidt) is the trainer/sitter for Wally's collie Sassie. Cathy is a co-owner of Colliewoode Productions which manages LASSIE's website (www.lassie.net) and promotes LASSIE appearances. Cathy's collie "Gina" is LASSIE VIII's daughter. They've appeared together on HGTV's Ultimate Collectors, Britain's SKY TV, BBC Network, and co-star in an upcoming documentary "Secret Life of a Super Fan". Cathy's newest venture is a new Children's Book due out in November 2005 "Gina Bina Ballerina". Cathy and "Gina" live in Woodland Hills, CA.