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From Junior Handler to Professional
My future role in the fancy will be evident with the goals I have set to attain in life. First, I will continue to work hard on my Animal-Science/ Pre-Veterinary Medicine degree at Louisiana Tech University. Secondly, I will be interning at Louisiana State University's Embryology lab learning about genetics and AI techniques in all animals. Upon entry into vet school I would like to specialize in genetics or reproduction. Thirdly I would like to become an AKC junior judge to give something back to the sport I love. Furthermore, I plan to stay active in showing on the weekends and eventually begin breeding and exhibiting my own line of pointers and other breeds. As you can see my involvement in purebred dogs will not end with my experience in junior showmanship, but keep progressing as I gain knowledge at college and establish myself as professional in the world of purebred dogs. |
The
experiences and interest I have in purebred dogs are a part of my
life today and will be an immense part of my future. My interests
and experiences commenced in 1998 when I purchased my first show dog,
a pointer. I began exhibiting him at six months of age to attain his
Championship certificate and at the same time I started improving
my handling skills as a Novice Senior in Junior Showmanship. I fell
in love with the sport the first weekend I began showing. After showing
for two months I became a handler's assistant to expand my knowledge
of the fancy and have been working for them on the weekends when shows
were close to home. Even though I worked for a handler, I did not
lose sight of staying active in Junior Showmanship. I showed in Juniors
for four years and the crowning achievement of my hard work came on
February 11, 2003 when I won Best Junior Handler at the Westminster
Kennel Club dog show with the same pointer I had finished and showed
in Juniors since 1999. My most recent experience is yet to come, on
February the 1st through the 15th I will be working as an intern in
the pressroom for the Westminster Kennel Club. The experience will
be outstanding and allow me to see another aspect of the fancy. My
experiences have driven me to what I would like to accomplish in life.
