About Agility Rush
Agility Rush K9 Performance Center officially opened in 2020 when a dream became a reality. Agility Rush was Founded by John Nys, multiple National and World agility champion, Assistant Coach and most recently Head Coach to the FCI AWC World Team.
John truly believed in all the teams that he coached. ‘Unleash the Possibilities’ is the foundation to Agility Rush’s mission. John always believed that there was a champion in every team, whether their goals are personal, local, national or internationally focused. John also believed that success starts with the proper foundation from the ground up and motivating dogs through positive methods to reach that potential.
John passed away in October of 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. John leaves behind an incredible legacy and a large hole in the hearts of many people. After John’s passing, Michele and Dale Levitt purchased Agility Rush with the purpose of continuing John’s legacy. John coached and mentored Michele for over 7 years and Michele attributes much of her success in agility to John. Michele will continue the foundation and training methods built by John, and the desire to see each team reach their goals.
John has been involved in animal training for over 25 years. He started his devotion to training horses at an early age. John has won multiple National Championships with his horses and was the Massachusetts National Barrel Horse Rodeo Champion in 2002.
On to Agility…
John has been competing on the local, national and international dog agility stage for over 15 years. During this time he has become one of the most respected competitors and instructors in agility. He is well known for his positive motivation and mental management/coaching with his students and his canine companions. Size doesn’t matter when competing in dog agility, as John has competed successfully with multiple canine partners in the small, medium and large dog divisions resulting in John realizing his dreams and achievements at all height levels. John and his “teammates” have earned 30 Master Agility Champion Titles. He is a 10 time International World Team Member with 4 different canine partners. John has represented the US 6 times as an AKC World Team member at the FCI World Championships (Rush and Boss), 3 times at the European Open Championships (Rush, Trick and Boss) and on the 2015 World Agility Open US Team with Trick and Rush. In 2010 John and Rush took hone the FCI Silver Medal in Individual Agility, FCI Silver Medal in the Individual Overall Combined, and the FCI Silver Medal in Team Jumping. In 2014 John and Rush took home the FCI Silver Medal in Team Agility and the FCI Gold Medal in Team Overall Combined events. In 2015 John and Rush took home Silver in the WAO Team Event. John and Rush are one of the most decorated world agility teams with 5 Silver Medals and 1 Gold Medal in the individual agility, jumping and team events.
John has been a consistent finalist at the AKC National Agility Championships and USDAA World Cynosport Grand Prix/Steeple Chase Championships on over a dozen occasions, placing in the top 3 on over 9 occasions and winning the USDAA World Cynosport Grand Prix Championships in 2010. John has also won numerous USDAA Regional Championships and ISC High Combined Titles with multiple canine partners.
John’s accomplishments have been earned and realized through the dedication and training of all his canine partners, for which none of this would have been possible without them: