Web Site Excerpts from the Quarterly Newsletter

August 1999 - Issue 15

Click on    to go directly to an article.

1999 Specialty Show Results
1999 Spring Field Trial Report by Kim Hesgard
21-Bark Salute to Becky Smith
Canine Epilepsy Study at U of M by Donna Wielinski
Parliamentary Cornerstone by Ginger Tierney
1999 Spring Hunt Test Report by Penny Honetor
Paw's Print Tinkering
The Prez Sez by Joy Sonsalla
Penny & Sue Who?
Breed Rescue - A Special Story by Becky Smith
Breed Rescue Update by Becky Smith
Member Interview:  Debbie Taylor & Visiting Dogs by Penny Honetor

1999 Specialty Show Report

By Penny Honetor Click here to view results. Click here to view photos. The CWVC Specialty was a tremendous success in many ways. The judges were exceptionally nice and fair, adding to the show’s enjoyment. We had a very nice showing in the special classes like Veterans and Field Dogs. We had 5 more Show entries than last year, a 20% increase. The Sweepstakes also had 5 more entries than last year, a 40% increase. Watching the puppies and their potential is always such a treat. Judge Sharon Grieves waived all expenses (Thank you, Sharon!) Penny Honetor, our Specialty Secretary, did a terrific job with the trophies and collecting donations. Our class award, Champ-Pagne™ Spring Water, received lots of compliments. Profit and Loss Statement Expenses $560.65; Donations $510; Sweepstakes $85.80; Profit $35.15  My thanks to all who came to the show & all who supported the awards with donations. Anytime the CWVC holds a Specialty Show that showcases our Vizslas and breaks even or better is a tremendous success. Yeah! Let’s keep making this event better and better.

1999 Spring Field Trial Report

By Kim Hesgard The Central Wisconsin Vizsla Club held its first Spring Field Trial April 3-4, 1999 at Pine Island Wildlife Refuge in Portage, WI. 82 dogs were entered, and 81 dogs ran in the six stakes. The placements are on the right. A special thanks to our judges… without them, the weekend would not have been the success that it was. Also, I’d like to thank the committee members, John & Mary Seyer, Robert & Jodi Tomczak, Brian Hesgard, and Wanda Berner. Your hard work was greatly appreciated. And thanks to those club members who pitched in and gave 110%: Penny Honetor, Joy Sonsalla, and Mark Smith. It is so wonderful to see so many people join forces to increase awareness of our club, enjoy our dogs for what they enjoy doing and spark friendships. If anyone is interested in learning more about field trials, please call John Seyer (715-832-3773) or me (608-884-4985). We are far from experts, but we do know that it is a lot of fun…we’d love to talk with you. Click here for CWVC Field Trial information. Results: Amateur Limited Gun Dog (Todd Manns/Charlie Blackbourn) 1-Berry’s Viva Shotgun Meetah Vizsla Owner-Jim Blumentritt Handler-Dean Nelson  2-Desert Storm’s Desirae Vizsla Owner/Handler-Barry Peterson  3-NAFC FC/AFC Dasa Motee Vizsla Owner/Handler-Dean Nelson  4-Berry’s Singleshot Shotgun Vizsla Owner/Handler-Dean Nelson  Open Puppy (Charlie Blackbourn/Jim Couris) 1-Shiloh’s Mask of Zorro Vizsla Owner/Handler-Robert Tomczak  2-Yahara Ridge Renegade Vizsla Owner/Handler-Brian Hesgard  3-Thor of Waubesa Vizsla Owner/Handler-Steve Newcomer  4-Edzaklyright Vizsla Owner/Handler-Paul Howard  Open Limited Gun Dog (Doug Bruns/Geno Woehrle) 1-Otto XXIX GSP Owner–Steve Seyer Handler-Keith Gebhardt  2-FC/AFC Buster Brown Zak SH Vizsla Owner/Handler-Paul Howard  3-Checkmate Dixieland Savage GSP Owner-E.Mucum Jr Handler-K Gebhardt  4-Kojac’s Sweet Katie GSP Owner/Handler-Richard Barber  Open Gun Dog (Charlie Blackbourn/John Carroccio) 1-Wayside O’ Aces GSP Owner-Stan Jones Handler-Keith Gebhardt  2-Desert Storm’s Desirae Vizsla Owner/Handler-Barry Peterson  3-Texas Red II Vizsla Owner/Handler-John Kirkpatrick  4-Bo Dutchman Savatore Fire SH GSP Owner-David Benson Handler-G Dixon  Open Derby (Doug Bruns/John Carroccio) 1-Reddog’s Rebel Berry Vizsla Owner/Handler-Gary Jagoda 2-Strider’s Voyager Vizsla Owner-Wanda Berner Handler-Greg Dixon  3-Checkmates Wizard GSP  Owner–R. Barber Handler-Keith Gebhardt  4-Strider’s TNG Vizsla Owner-Wanda Berner Handler-Greg Dixon  Amateur Gun Dog (Todd Manns/John Carroccio) 1-Rebel Rouser Roxy Vizsla Owner/Handler-Jim Couris  2-Oakridge Gunner’s Bullet Vizsla Owner/Handler-John Seyer  3-FC Oakridge Wildfire Viper Vizsla Owner/Handler-John Seyer  4-(Withheld)

21-Bark Salute to Becky Smith

After about 7 years, 28 issues, 263 pages, 1210 copies, and 184,100 words of The Paw's Print (wow!), Becky Smith has earned her place in the unofficial CWVC Member Hall of Fame. We know we speak for the entire CWVC when we say, "Thanks for all the hard work and dedication!" A Brief Newsletter History from Becky: "I took over with the November 1992 issue in an effort to get The Paw's Print published on a more regular basis. My first issue was seven pages. Then, for awhile, they were 12 pages. (I must have had a lot to say! And at the expense of extra postage to boot!) There were 13 issues published before coming out with the "newspaper" format. Bob Steele was very helpful in helping me set that up. That was when we went from 12 pages to 8 as the newspaper columns allowed me to get more information in a smaller area…I'm happy to say there was never a late issue…I hope the new co-editors enjoy publishing The Paw's Print as much as I did." Becky has done such a great job as the Newsletter Editor, it takes 2 people to replace her! The new co-editors hope she continues to contribute ideas and articles to the newsletter. Though we will have a hard time living up to the standard she set, we both look forward to giving it our best literary effort..

Canine Epilepsy Project Underway at University of Minnesota

by Donna Wielinski, TCVC Click here for the Canine Epilepsy Network Web Page. Reprinted from the Twin Cities May 1999 Vizsla Voice Newsletter as prepared by Donna Wielinski, Editor, from information provided by Ned E. Patterson, DVM In March 1999, the AKC Canine Health Foundation awarded a grant to James R. Mickelson PhD, Ned E. Patterson DVM, and P. Jane Armstrong DVM, MS, at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine to study the molecular genetics of canine epilepsy in Vizslas, English Springers, and research Beagles. The goal of the study is to identify a marker or gene for epilepsy and to develop a screening test to determine normal, carrier, and affected status, thus allowing breeders the potential to eliminate epilepsy. Canine epilepsy is a serious late-onset seizure disorder affecting a large number of breeds. The onset of seizures in dogs with epilepsy is typically from one to five years of age. The late onset means that often a dog has already been bred before it is known to be affected. In some individuals, seizures are well controlled with anticonvulsant medications, but a significant number of dogs have refractory seizures needing high doses of medications to achieve control. The severity of seizures may be such that the owner elects to have the dog euthanized. A genetic test for epilepsy would allow breeders to screen potential breeding animals for this common, frustrating, and potentially devastating disorder prior to making breeding decisions. The researchers hope to determine the mode of inheritance for epilepsy in three breeds (English Springer Spaniels, Vizslas, and Beagles) and to use genetic markers to develop a screening linkage test for predicting epilepsy in these breeds. This approach to identifying the region of the canine genome containing the defective gene will ultimately lead to the prediction of candidate genes that can be characterized to define the precise defect responsible. Drs. Mickelson, Patterson and Armstrong plan to develop a microsatellite screening test for epilepsy in English Springer Spaniels, Vizslas, and Beagles. Epileptic dogs will be identified and the mode(s) of inheritance determined in each breed. Owner questionnaires will be conducted to classify the phenotype of each individual in extended three generation pedigrees to determine the mode(s) of inheritance by pedigree analysis. Genetic linkage analysis using microsatellites markers will be used to attempt to find a DNA marker linked to canine epilepsy in one or more of the breeds. A number of linked markers will hopefully be identified and a linkage map of these markers to the epilepsy locus will be constructed. The region of the canine genome containing these linked markers will be determined from somatic cell hybrid panels or the developed and emerging canine linkage map. Comparative mapping across species may allow prediction of candidate genes based from the syntenic chromosomal position in humans. Affected pedigrees and epileptic kindreds from the study breeds will be genotyped and the linkage data examined to determine if genetic heterogeneity exists within and between breeds. Dogs with predicted disease status will be followed to assess the accuracy of disease prediction based on the linkage test. If you know of any epileptic English Springers or Vizslas whose owners are interested in contributing to the study, please let Dr. Patterson or the other researchers know. Complete families, including both seizing and non-seizing dogs, are critical to this project. Wherever possible, the researchers need samples from an entire litter, both parents and their siblings, and all available grandparents and their siblings (and beyond if available). Owners of individual seizing dogs whose families are not being studied are welcome to submit blood or tissue samples, Individual Dog Questionnaires, and Pedigrees, which will be used later in the project.  To request forms or if you have any questions or need assistance, please call the Canine and Equine Genetics Lab at the University of Minnesota 612-624-5322. (Editor's Note: Details & forms are published in the May/June 1999 VCA Vizsla News.)

Parliamentary Cornerstone

by Ginger Tierney Sometime, a long, long time ago, while in high school, we learned how a democracy and democratic government work, that a democracy functions by parliamentary procedure. For most us these lessons are lost in the normal clutter of the adult mind. A club, such as the CWVC, is grass roots democracy in action. Parliamentary procedure is the cornerstone of how a club’s business is conducted. There are a few basic rules that allow this democracy to work. First and foremost, any club activity must be in compliance with the mission of the club. The CWVC By-Laws state that "The Objects of the Club shall be: ● To encourage and promote quality in the breeding of purebred Vizslas and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection.  ● To urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as approved by the American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which Vizslas shall be judged.  ● To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed by encouraging sportsmanlike competition at dog shows, obedience trials, hunt tests and field trials."  The basic principles, the cornerstone, behind conduction club business are: ● Someone has to facilitate or direct the discussion and keep order.  ● All members of the group have the right to bring up ideas, discuss them, and come to a conclusion.  ● Members should come to an agreement about what to do.  ● Members should understand that the majority rules, but the rights of the minority are always protected by assuring them the right to speak and to vote.  Over the next several issues, I will attempt to refresh our minds. I will use "Robert’s Rules of Order" as my source, and try to keep it short and sweet. The business end of anything is boring. It doesn’t have to do with dogs, so why do we bother? Well, at the very least, let’s try to remember what’s made democracy work in this country for 200 years. Then apply those principles as the "cornerstone" of CWVC business. Personally, I’d like to see the CWVC achieve its mission for many more years.

1999 Spring Hunt Test Report

by Penny Honetor Click here for CWVC Hunt Test information. Judges, Volunteers, Organization, Coordination, Catalogs, Ottawa Field Trial Grounds, Rosettes, Food, Running Order. Even the Web Site. These are all areas in which the CWVC received compliments from participants and judges at our Spring 1999 Hunt Test held May 22-23, 1999 at Ottawa Field Trial Grounds in Eagle, WI. A couple of folks even said it was the most well run Hunt Test they attended and that our volunteers made them feel more welcome than their own club. We had club members who have never attended a Hunt Test come out and pitch in. We had members' children helping out by running scorecards up from the Junior Hunt course. We had people who had friends who own Vizslas take applications and a copies of "The Paw's Print" to pass along. We had folks who were interested in Vizslas but didn't have any yet come out and check out our furry little redheads. The CWVC pulled it off despite the fact that we had the most entries of any Spring Hunt Test in the area this year, 93, which is 6 more entries than last year. The large entry along with the generosity of Mark and Becky Smith donating the use of their horses and Judge Jim Couris donating the use of his horses and travel expenses resulted in this Hunt Test having an unofficial net profit of $1442 (WOW! $800 is a good year and many clubs lost money this year due to low entries). It takes time, hard work & coordination to run an event of this caliber. Kudos to our judges who did a fantastic job (special thanks to Greg Hedien for his third consecutive year of judging for us), our chairpeople Chuck and Kathy Ruhland who were always on top of things despite this being their first hunt test ever to chair and particpate in (REALLY!!!), Mark and Becky Smith who were our behind-the-scenes experts helping out anywhere and everywhere, and finally OUR VOLUNTEERS who planted birds; ran scoresheets; line marshaled; planned, prepared & served food; filled water tanks; and the countless other tasks that everyone just pitches in to do when they need to get done. Congratulations to CWVC members who earned legs or titles: Mike Carter, "Blue"; Jim & Lyn Frank, "Kansas"; Mark Olson, "Jaeger"; Chuck & Kathy Ruhland, "Winchester"; Brian Schumacher, "Leo"; Sharon & Mike Shea, "Mavrick""; Mark & Becky Smith, "Pearl". Other Vizslas earning legs or titles were Nancy Ludgin, "Sweet Pea"; David Smith, "Garth"; Martin Hull, "Ben"; Cheryl Peterson, "Zippy".  Judges: Saturday-Junior; Sunday-Master & Senior:  Jim Busch, Greg Hedien Sunday-Junior; Saturday-Master & Senior:  Jim Couris, L. Joel Neumann Results (Entries/Qualifiers):                      Junior        Senior      Master Saturday         25/12           10/2           11/6 Sunday           27/19           10/4           10/0 The only bad thing about this year? We have to try to top it next year! Rumor has it Bill Quandt is already planning to take advantage of the recently-installed electricity by serving a hot breakfast menu!

Paw's Print Tinkering

You know how when you move into a new house, you just have to paint the walls or put up new wallpaper, just to make it a reflection of you? As your new newsletter co-editors, though we love the house, we are planning on changing a little wallpaper, and maybe putting in some different cabinets. We'll try not to destroy any bearing walls! As you can tell by the new heading, Penny and Sue have font and graphic fetishes. Our challenge is to control the fetish enough to keep the newsletter from looking like a kidnapper's ransom note. Sue works in Psychological Services at the Racine Correctional Facility and Penny as a Computer Systems Analyst at Ameritech, so if Penny gets caught unintentionally reprinting articles without permission, at least she can visit Sue during the day. Our collective experience with newsletters is vast. Or wait, I guess we don't have any experience, but in addition to emulating the current Paw's Print, Donna Wielinski, editor of the Twin Cities Vizsla Club "Vizsla Voice", has shared some ideas. And like looking for decorating ideas in "Country Living", we have looked at some other newsletters to get format ideas as well. And we expect to hear from you to let us know what you like, don't like, and would like to see in future issues. Actually, no one ever responds but we thought we'd ask anyway. "Brags!" will now be called "That's My Vizsla!". In addition to titles and awards earned by you and your Vizsla, we would love to print "accomplishments" like Sue's Grace swallowing activated charcoal (she’s OK) or Penny's Zoe catching a rather large screaming ground hog by the neck and proudly bringing it to mommy who slowly backed up while chanting, "Drop it", "Drop it", "Drop it".

The Prez Sez

by Joy Sonsalla When someone talks about the Central Wisconsin Vizsla Club, what do you think is the image they have of us? Hard working? Friendly? A conformation club? A field event club? A club that gets the job done? A club that gets the word out and supports the Vizsla breed? I would have to say YES to all of this and MORE!!!! We are a relatively small club that is gaining a reputation for quality events, quality participation and being a lot of fun to be around. A strong show of participation and camaraderie are important at any event whether it’s a hunt test or a pet show. We are displaying to the general public an image of our club. This image is something that took time to build and is of utter importance to uphold. A reputation we can all be proud of. We are growing in number. We are expanding our efforts. We are getting more and more members to participate in club-sponsored or supported events and we’re having fun. This club belongs to each and every one of us. With everything you do, you’ll own a little more of the club down deep in your heart. To have a say in how things are done, come to the meetings! To help get things done, volunteer to help! The more we get out to do the more we will reap in terms of experience, contacts, and camaraderie. This club IS its membership. Be proud and ENJOY!

Penny & Sue Who?

Penny Honetor & Sue Prim are the new co-editors of "The Paw's Print". My name is Penny Honetor, and I suffer from VVS - Vizsla Volunteer Syn drome. The symptom is a tick in my arm that flares whenever I hear the word "volunteer". The only known cure is a labotomy. Hmmmm. A native cheesehead, I was born and "aged" up north in Rice Lake, and now live southwest of Milwaukee in Mukwonago. The luckiest guy in the world is my husband, Rob Glazier (did I just hear him gasp for air?). Our "girls" are Zoe (4) and Neela (3), whose priceless presence in our lives we owe to Joy Sonsalla and Gwen Tomlinson. Despite me being a rookie, they are finished AKC Champions, have their CGC certificates, and we are having a blast working towards agility titles (agility refers to them, not me). I'm hoping the CWVC builds enough interest and support in sponsoring an agility event to give me another activity for which I can volunteer (VVS flaring up). I also would like to train towards hunting and obedience titles, but the new candle with two more ends to burn hasn't arrived yet. My motivation for all I do with the club is supporting efforts to improve the Vizsla breed and to represent the varied interests of the membership. Luckily I have many conscientious, sincere, principled CWVC members (did I say kind and generous?) to imitate. My biggest bummers are Irresponsible breeding (usually for money), disregarding any health, conformation, temperament, and trainability problems of the sire and dam or their ancestors,  Owners not disclosing health problems of their Vizslas to those with a right to know (their dog's breeder, puppy owners, littermate owners, etc.) and Singlemindedness. My CWVC activities include secretarying the Spring Hunt Test and Specialty Show; working at the DNR Hunting Dog Seminar, the Milwaukee Pet Fair, and Field Trials; creating the CWVC Web Site; serving as a Board member; some other stuff; and now THIS (VVS again). Non-Vizsla interests (yes, they do exist) are traveling, refinishing antiques, flower gardening, and wasting the best years of my life on the computer. My name is Sue Prim and I have been the Vice President of the CWVC for the past two years and am now the Secretary as well as co-editor of The Paw’s Print. My husband, Steve, and I live in Kenosha with our four "children": three Vizslas named Victor (5), Faye (3), and Grace (1) along with our English Springer Spaniel Harold (6) who is an honorary "Red Dog". Like Penny, I also have a dog-related affliction only mine is VAS – Vizsla Agility Syndrome. I’m currently working on my third agility dog and am actively trialing in AKC and UKC and we are about to tackle NADAC. Grace has just started her training and is not yet competing, but Victor and Faye have both AKC and UKC agility titles (poor Harold is a bit on the chubby side so his agility career never got underway). In addition to agility, I also enjoy showing my dogs in conformation and plan to work toward obedience titles as well. I would like to try hunting but until we win the lottery and I can retire, I just don’t have enough time to do everything.

Breed Rescue - A Special Story

by Becky Smith II've been doing breed rescue now for about seven years, and rarely have I been as touched as I was with the most recent placement. I learned that Fred was looking for a rescue when I received a call from his daughter, who works at our vet's clinic. Amy said that he had put his 16 year old GSP down a couple of months ago and was in real need of getting another dog. Fred, however, was not your typical adopter, and honestly, at 82 years old, I generally would not consider him to be a good home choice. However, the fact that Amy lived right next door and had agreed to take any dog that Fred got if something should happen helped. A call from Fred followed very shortly that helped edge me a bit closer to a possible placement with him. He was articulate, sharp as a tack, and you could tell just from talking to him he was full of the devil (almost as much as a Vizsla puppy). He had gone to the GSP rescue group, but didn't like what he saw from the group, not the dogs, so he decided to look elsewhere.  Fred showed up at our house unannounced the afternoon of the CWVC Specialty. He had never seen a Vizsla. His visit still makes me smile. He was completely taken with the four redheads inside the fence leaping into the air. He was so taken, in fact, that I thought I was going to have to fight him in order to keep Jennie. He was completely in love and wanted to take her home. "What do you need her for? You have three others to keep you company," he said with a little twinkle in his eye. He told me how he had lost his wife in November, then had to put his GSP down in February, as a couple of tears rolled down his cheek. He also told me how walking his Himalayan cat around his 50 acres was just not the same as walking the shorthair. "You know, I end up carrying the dang thing most of the way," he said with a wry smile. I gave Fred the literature and an adoption application on Saturday afternoon. In Tuesday's mail, the adoption application was back, along with a picture of the GSP and a note from Amy, once again assuring me that if anything happened, they would take care of any dog Fred might get. Sometimes in rescue, God sends the perfect person for a particular situation and Fred was that person. About two weeks later, I received a call from a lady who had been diagnosed with cancer. With two young children and what they were about to face, they knew they did not have time for their six-year-old female Vizsla, Sadie. They had actually placed the dog with a friend, but were very disappointed to find out Sadie was being kept in a kennel all the time, and went and got her. I knew after talking with them, their primary concern was that Sadie would be in a loving home, and I knew that home had to be Fred's. To make a long story short, Sadie was delivered to Fred on May 23. There was a message on my answering machine telling me how wonderful Sadie was and how pleased Fred was to get her. Later that night I received a call from the people who placed Sadie saying how wonderful Fred was and how pleased they were to be able to place Sadie in such a great home. I've talked to Fred a couple of times since then. He and Sadie are doing just fine. She gives Fred all the affection he needs, gets along fine with the cat, and can walk the whole 50 acres without being carried!

Breed Rescue Update

by Becky Smith We have had several calls about dogs in need of help. One call came from a family who had a male who is going through a difficult adolescence. They very much wanted to keep the dog, but didn't know where to turn. I offered them some suggestions and they are trying to work through the period with him. They have enrolled him in obedience classes and are working on some simple things at home. Things are going pretty well so far. We also received a call from some people in the Kenosha area who had found what they thought was a Vizsla running loose. Joy Sonsalla was kind enough to go over and take a look at the dog. She discovered it was a Weim and put them in touch with some people from Weim rescue. Nicky is a 15 month old male that some people "babysat" for over Christmas and New Years while his owners went on a trip. The people never came back for him and when Vern and Kim called them, they said "Keep him. We'll send you the papers." Vern and Kim did keep him for awhile but decided the breed was not for them and chose to place the dog. He was placed in Michigan with a woman who already had a Vizsla and knew the breed was for her! The frustrating thing about Nicky is his breeder was contacted and told them to "turn the dog over to rescue. I hear they do a good job placing dogs." I have contacted the National rescue chairperson and he is going to call the person to explain exactly what rescue is and what her responsibilities are as a breeder since she is out-of-state.

Member Interview: Debbie Taylor & Visiting Dogs

by Penny Honetor Therapy Dogs International Web Site Delta Society Web Site Debbie Taylor recently completed the Visiting Dog (also known as Therapy Dog) certification process with both her Vizslas, Alex and True. The Paw’s Print Co-Editors, who were attending an agility trial in Ft. Wayne, IN in June, visited Debbie at her home in Ft. Wayne (Deb’s husband, master grill chef John, cooked hamburgers and brats for us - YUM!) We took the opportunity to interview Debbie as to what it takes to attain Visiting Dog certification.   What interested you in pursuing the Visiting Dog certification? Deb: I wanted to do something good with the dogs that would make people smile.   How did you find out about the Visiting Dog Program? Deb: The training club I joined, Ft. Wayne Obedience Training Club (FWOTC), has information and has instructors who perform the certification testing.   What kinds of testing did you go through? Deb: There are two tests which take about 20 minutes each. The Temperament & Stability Test has 10 different checks. The dog has to tolerate an overall exam by a stranger, clumsy petting, a restraining hug, staggering gestures, angry yelling, being bumped from behind, being crowded and petted by several people, being held by a stranger. The evaluator also determines whether the dog is people-oriented and forms an overall reaction to the dog/handler team. The Visiting Dog Test has 9 different checks and is similar to the AKC CGC test. The dog has to accept a friendly stranger; sit politely for petting; welcome grooming from someone other than the owner; walk on a loose leash (passing by distractions such as kleenex on the floor); walk politely through a crowd; sit and down on command and stay in place; quickly come back into control after play and praise; behave politely to other dogs; and finally be calm amidst distractions. Distractions for Alex and True included pounded canes and gates falling over. No food is allowed to be given to the dog during the test.   Who sanctions the certification process? Deb: Each Visiting Dog certification program is run by local organizations. Mine is the FWOTC.   How did you prepare for the tests? Deb: Both dogs received their AKC CGC certificates, so I knew they had experience in some of the tests. I did not specifically practice for the tests because I know the temperaments of my dogs and felt they would naturally pass the tests.   What do you feel are the qualities a Vizsla possess which would make them good Visiting Dogs? Deb: They’re usually "people" dogs.   What about Alex and True specifically? Deb: They’re both friendly and willing to tolerate being touched and hugged.   What did you receive after attaining the Visiting Dog certification? Deb: I have an ID Badge, and the dogs have bandanas they wear to identify them as being certified. I also have to supply vaccination papers to the institutions we visit and sign waivers.   Where do you take them and when? Deb: So far we have visited a Nursing Home and a Hospital. Each place has a special time called "Activity Time" which varies. Usually it is for an hour in the morning or afternoon.   Do you have a favorite personal Visiting Dog story? Deb: When I went to the Psych Ward, I went up to an Alzheimer’s patient who was just sitting at a table concentrating on doodling on a piece of paper. Alex walked up to him and the patient’s face lit up and he began scratching Alex. I commented that he knew just where Alex liked to be scratched. The patient commented "Yeah, they like to be scratched in all these places." After a little scratching, he returned to his doodling. I like the feeling that Alex and I were able to put a little happiness in his day.

End August 1999 "The Paw's Print" excerpts

<< May 1999 "The Paw's Print"    |    November 1999 "The Paw's Print" >>