The owner and trainer of Lassie is Carol Riggins. Carol has spent over 3 decades working with Lassie. Her work with Lassie began when she was the trainer of a siberian tiger featured in one of the Ranger episodes. In the 1980's she started working for Rudd as a part time bookkeeper, and assisted Rudd training Lassie at his home. When Rudd passed Carol continued working with Robert Weatherwax and continues today as she singularly carries on the legacy of the direct descendant dogs that have played Lassie since the first dog Lassie, Pal. Lassie shown here is the current 9th generation direct descendant. Generation 10 is now being trained to carry on the legacy.

Carol began her career training wild animals and established an exotic animal facility called Jungle Cat World, specializing in the training and breeding of exotic cats for film, television series, commercials, stage performances, circuses and wild animal parks. Carol's hands-on training with animals of all types gave her insight into animal behavior, while her travels contribute to her knowledge of all aspects and requirements of the animal industry Her familiarity with a wide number of animals makes her a valuable asset to anyone she works with. Carol was honored with a Patsy Award in 1975 for her work with leopards in a documentary.

"Life is what happens while you are making other plans" is a statement that sums up the event that changed the course of her professional career. After relocating to Sand Canyon in the Santa Clarita Valley, Carol was offered the unique opportunity to work for a true pioneer in dog training: Rudd Weatherwax.'s basic philosophy was that his dogs did not just do tricks, but were actors Under the guidance of Rudd and then his son, Robert Weatherwax, Carol perfected her skills So began a working relationship that spanned fifteen years, countless personal appearances, numerous media appearances, motion pictures, commercials, televisions series, stage shows, road shows and trade shows.

Her vast experience also includes a long list of credits including: Chandar: Leopard of Ceylon, Reed Brothers Circus, Shrine Circus, San Diego Wild Animal Park shows. Six Flags Great Adventure, Paramount King's Dominion Theme Park, 1998 Emmy Awards, Barbara Mandrell Theater, Rosie O'Donnell, SPCA Fundraisers. Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Hometown Jamboree, Branson, "Mutual ofOmaha's Wild Kingdom," " The Magician," "Bill Burrid Animal Kingdom." "Wild Wild West," "Simon & Simon," "Harry and the Hendersons," "Rosanne," "Who's the Boss," "FBI: Untold Stories," "Married With Children,"   "Life Goes On," "The Waltons," "Just the Ten of Us," "Bom Free," "The Tonight Show," "Bob Hope Special," "Saturday Night live," "Lassie," "The New Lassie" "Lassie" (Cinar/Animal Planet series), "MAD TV," "The Three Mrs. Buchannans," Exorcist II ", "Primal Man", "Joshua's Heart", "Watchers II", "Strays", "Sleepwalkers", "Lassie: Best Friends Are Forever", "Look Who's Talking Now", "Nixon", "Man Trouble". "The River Wild", "Beethoven ", Pets.com, Beneful, Borden Buttermilk. Exxon, Coppertone, Heartgard, Mighty Dog, Petsmart, Petco, MCI.

Top photo by Chelsea Riggins
All other photos from the personal collection of www.lassie.net.