Autumn Retrievers was founded in 1983 in Eureka, CA when Tom retired from the U.S. Forest Service. There he joined the Redwood Empire Retriever Club and helped organize the first AKC Hunt Test on the West Coast. The kennel relocated to Washington in 1988 and is now on five acres just outside of Granite Falls, Northeast of Everett, Washington.

Katie is a retired Veterinarian (UC Davis - 1977). Her early experience was in Conformation and Competition Obedience. When an Irish Water Spaniel landed on her doorstep, she decided to learn about hunting dogs - and met Tom in the process. She joined him training dogs full time in 1995 and they were married in 1996 (at an AKC Hunt Test!). In the course of her Small Animal practice she became involved with breeders and owners of dogs from all of the American Kennel Club breed groups.