You may know her as Nala, but at the dog shows, she’s known as Lightning City’s Santorini Sunrise, Grand Champion Hound (G.C.H). She was one of the most winning Rhodesian Ridgeback bitches in Florida in 2020 finishing her grand championship in just 2 weeks. This earned her a spot at the coveted 145th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the Lyndhurst Mansion in upstate New York.

Santorini Sunrise was born to Charlie and Marlin (Roccridge’s Best Catch G.C.H). The litter was whelped by renowned breeder, Debra Rocco. Within a few weeks, it was clear that yellow girl was one of two show potential picks in the litter.

Dr. Essie and Jordan Yates chose Nala for her outgoing personality and soft temperament prior to the revelation of her show potential. Realizing that not showing her was not an option, the marvelous Pino Renzulli was chosen to handle Nala. Pino and Nala began training together when she was 12 weeks old. At 16 weeks, Nala won her first show of many on her road to becoming a champion hound and successful Rhodesian ridgeback bitch.

When Nala is not at the shows, she works as a service dog at The Yates Institute of Plastic Surgery with her mother, Dr. Essie Yates, bringing comfort, joy, and happiness to patients each day.