Leigh Anne Florence and The Wiener Dog Gang

Kentucky born, Kentucky educated, a Kentucky Colonel, and best known for her children's series, Woody, The Kentucky Wiener, Leigh Anne Florence is Kentucky through and through. Born in Murray, Kentucky in 1972 to Lonnie and Ann Furr, LA grew up right outside Murray in the community of Kirksey, with her older brother, Guy, older sister, Lonna, and a host of animals.

At an early age, LA developed a love for animals, stories, and music. After graduating from Calloway County High School in 1990, Leigh Anne received her Bachelor of Music Education Degree with an emphasis in piano in 1995 and then a Master of Music Education/piano emphasis degree in 1996. LA taught music for 7 years before God revealed a different plan. In 2003, LA was offered a publishing contract to write a series of children’s books based upon her black-and-tan miniature wiener dog Woody, and his wiener dog sister, Chloe. Subsequently, Leigh Anne resigned from her teaching job to concentrate on The Woody Series. Now, LA, her husband of 14 years, Ron, Woody, the entire Wiener Dog Gang, and her service dog, Belfry, spend their days in schools, libraries, churches, and other organizations presenting programs and w workshops, including her signature presentation, Woody's Five Ways to Be Successful. To date, LA has spoken in 117 of Kentucky's counties.

The Woody series has garnered several awards for both Woody and Leigh Anne. In addition to being named a Kentucky Colonel, LA has been named Duchess of Paducah (Woody's hometown), received the World Association of Newspaper Award for Best Serial Story, many awards from the Southern Newspaper Publisher's Association, and most recently, Leigh Anne was award the 2013 Jesse Stuart Award for her dedication to Kentucky literature. In 2008, LA was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The diagnosis continues to teach her important lessons and reminds her there is always good in bad situations. Belfry is one of those good things. He assists LA with balance, retrieving items off the floor, and even helping her with the laundry by carrying the basket and handing her items to fold. Leigh Anne loves to play piano and can be found getting her groove on while playing piano at Okolona Christian Church.

Leigh Anne loves to read books, watch old television shows, and enjoys keeping up with her favorite team - the Kentucky Wildcats. LA's favorite thing of all is sitting outside on the back porch with her husband Ron, drinking coffee, and watching Belfry and the Wiener Dog Gang play in the backyard.