Julia Back is a NACSW Certifying Official, Judge, CNWI, and truffle dog handler from Eugene, Oregon. 

Julia came to K9 Nose Work® from a background in animal behavior and veterinary care. She first began volunteering with shelter dogs in the Galapagos Islands in 2006, where she developed a passion for rescue and rehabilitation. As a Fulbright scholar, Julia later obtained a Master’s degree in animal ecology and behavior from Deakin University (Melbourne, Australia). She has competed in nose work since 2014 with her own dogs, Willow, a border collie trialing at the Elite level; Brody, a malamute-shepherd mix (2011-2024), who earned his ELT-CH title and competed in Summit; and CJ, a border collie-lab cross (2001-2018) who entered her first trial at 14 years old. 

Julia and her dogs also train and compete in NASDA, barn hunt, FastCAT, and agility when they aren’t out hunting truffles. Seeing the remarkable changes K9 Nose Work® inspired in the lives of her own dogs, she seeks to bring that same sense of purpose, confidence, and fun to both dogs and their handlers.