American Kennel Club - Learn About the Demonstrations

Learn About the Demonstrations

Get in the know before you go. Learn about the demonstrations you'll see and the fascinating people behind them.

While at the Javits Center, you’ll see demonstrations that will introduce you to the world of events that you can enjoy with your pets and that exemplify the many ways that dogs work alongside people. Make sure to stop by the demo rings, which will be running all day, both days, to experience the fun.

We are still working on the schedule of events for 2011!!
So far the following canine demonstrations have been confirmed:
- THE UNITED STATES POLICE CANINE ASSOCIATION
- THE UNITED STATES CUSTOM AND BORDER PROTECTION
- PORT CHESTER OBEDIENCE TRAINING CLUB – Obedience, Rally and Agility
- INFURNO FLYBALL DOGS
- AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN PROGRAM AND S.T.A.R. PUPPY PROGRAM
- EARTH DOGS
- DISC DOGS
- GROOMING WITH JORGE BENDERSKY
With more to come!!

2011 Feline Demonstrations include
Information Coming Soon.
2011 Canine Demonstrations include
- Agility – A dog's agility as it maneuvers an obstacle course is judged on many levels of time and accuracy. Events include ramps, dogwalks, teeter-totters, tunnels, jumps, weave poles, and more. Dogs are divided into groups based on size and experience to ensure fairness, although no distinction is made between breeds.
- Obedience – These events demonstrate the benefits of dogs as companions by displaying a dog's willingness to obey a variety of commands through a series of exercises. Commands can range from "sit" and "stay" to scent discrimination and the following of silent signals from the handler.
- Rally – A stepping-stone from the AKC Canine Good Citizen^® program to the world of obedience or agility, rally was designed with the traditional pet owner in mind. A rally course consists of 10 to 20 stations, with signs that indicate what skill the dog should perform, which includes sit, down, turn and recall. Meant as a fun and energizing experience, the canine team moves at their own pace and unlimited communication in encouraged.
- AKC^® Canine Good Citizen^® Program – CGC is a certification program designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club. Test items include sitting politely for petting, walking on a loose lead, allowing brushing and handling and coming when called.
- S.T.A.R. Puppy^sm Program – A natural precursor to the CGC program, the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy^sm Program is an incentive program for loving dog owners who have taken the time to take their puppies through a basic training class. Dog owners who complete a basic training class (taught by an AKC approved CGC evaluator) with their pup are eligible to enroll their dog in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program upon completion of the S.T.A.R. Puppy test. Test items include sit and down on command and walking on a leash. Owners learn to create an exercise plan and learn how to obtain identification for their pup, among other skills.
- Service Dogs – Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities’ (ECAD) mission is to educate and place dogs with people with disabilities so they will have greater independence and mobility. ECAD dogs are taught to respond to 80 commands and are able to do such things as retrieve items, open doors, activate light switches, pull wheelchairs, balance, brace, and perform other highly specialized skills. Additionally, they are capable of giving unconditional love and devotion to the person who needs them. Their demonstrations will show some of the many ways they help their person. These dogs love to please the audience and are good at it.
Meet those who will be participating in the 2011 event:
- Port Chester Obedience Training Club
- Obedience, Rally and Agility
In 2010 Port Chester Obedience Training Club celebrates 70 years as one of the leading dog training clubs in the Tri-State area. At their facility in White Plains, NY, they train in the companion dog sports of obedience, rally and agility. Their Family Manners program aims to produce well-behaved dogs that are welcome in the family and the community.

Over these seven decades, their expertise in developing family dogs and Trial Champions has grown along with the variety of activities they offer.

Group classes are held during days, evenings and weekends. With over 60 classes scheduled each week, there are subjects, times and levels to fit almost everyone’s schedule. All breeds and mixed breeds are welcome in these training classes.

PCOTC is a member club of The American Kennel Club. As such, they are able to provide AKC-licensed obedience, rally, and agility trials, as well as training matches. The club is quickly becoming a center for the popular, rapidly growing sport, Nose Work. They invite experts to give seminars and workshops on a variety of subjects, from training techniques to canine health, to behavior issues. Their club meetings usually include an educational component.
- Jo Ann Frier-Murza
- Earthdog Expert
Jo Ann has promoted the sport of den trials (also known as earthdog events) since 1972, when she began working with the American Working Terrier Association. Originally, terriers and dachshunds were used to bolt foxes from their dens or to locate nuisance predators underground. In recent decades, American dog owners have embraced simulated hunting in artificial tunnels as a test of innate abilities. Over the years, Jo Ann has chaired, judged and hosted hundreds of events and has visited many European countries to study traditional earthdog trials. In 1993, the AKC sought her input when developing a competitive earthdog program. The AKC now sanctions nearly 150 earthdog events each year and awards junior, senior and master earthdog titles in the sport.

In an effort to help people learn about this event and enjoy their dogs more fully, Jo Ann authored "Earthdog Ins & Outs," a comprehensive guide to the history, breeds and training techniques involved in earthdog events. Her New Jersey-based facility, Village Green Farm Earthdog Center, encourages newcomers and assists advanced participants through classes and programs.

"Working with beginners has always been enjoyable for me," says Jo Ann. "Earthdog is an instinctive activity for terriers and dachshunds, and I strive to awaken a dog's natural drive and build confidence in both owner and dog."

Jo Ann has pursued earthdog titles with her own dogs, including dachshunds, Border terriers, Bedlington terriers and a smooth fox terrier, earning field championships on four dachshunds. She has also bred Border terriers and shown them to conformation championships.

At Meet the Breeds, attendees will see at least five different terrier breeds and many varieties of dachshunds at work. After being released by their owners, the dogs will dash into a wooden tunnel with Plexiglas windows, allowing spectators to watch dogs move through the tunnels and "work the quarry" (barking or digging to alert the owner). Jo Ann will comment about the different breeds and their styles. "I encourage owners of terriers and dachshunds to stop by to see what their dogs were originally bred to do!" she says.

Jo Ann earned an M.S. in Animal Behavior from the State University of New York and is a graduate of the Ocean County Police Academy. Professionally, she has worked as an animal keeper and trainer at the Syracuse Zoo in New York; as a supervisor and trainer at Safari Animal Country in Saratoga, New York; and as the Endangered and Nongame Species Bureau Chief in New Jersey's Division of Fish and Wildlife. In addition to a lifelong interest in working with dogs, Jo Ann was able to diversify and train elephants, camels, llamas, and ponies to obey commands and perform tasks. Her career in wildlife management put her in the middle of restoration projects for endangered birds, reptiles, and amphibians, and the development of regulatory programs for exotic animals in captivity. Jo Ann also earned a black belt in martial arts at the age of 50.

Don't miss Jo Ann and her earthdog demos going on all weekend at the demonstration ring at Meet the Breeds.

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- Terri Giannetti
- U.S. Customs & Border Protection K9 Handler and Beagle Breeder
Terri's first family dog, a beagle named "Cookie," joined the family when she was three years old. While in high school Terri explored her love of dogs by researching every breed, saving up babysitting money, and ultimately acquiring a golden retriever with which to compete in obedience trials. While at dog shows, Terri found herself drawn to the show beagles who reminded her of her spunky childhood pet, but with a more elegant manner. She acquired her first show dog and inspired by the epic poem and its themes of honor and integrity, named her kennel Beowulf.

In 1986 Terri met her husband Ted Swedalla at a dog show. To date, Terri and Ted have produced over 50 champion beagles under the Beowulf name, including best-in-show winning "Clues" and his grandson "Luciano," who will be on hand for you to meet and enjoy during Meet the Breeds.

Terri's third love (along with Ted and the beagles) is the German shepherd dog. She currently owns two and was awarded best of breed with "Twist" at the Westminster Kennel Club Show this year.

Terri's appreciation for dogs has led to a career as a K9 handler. She graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a master's degree in criminal justice in 2004 and now works for U.S. Customs & Border Protection at JFK International Airport. Her similarly named partner, "Tery," is a Belgian Malinois who was bred and named in Germany. Tery is trained to search for narcotics and conduct federal inspections of baggage, aircraft, mail and cargo coming in on international flights. Terri is also a staff sergeant in the New York Guard and a member of the United States Police Canine Association.

Terri's career brings together her steadfast patriotism and her love for dogs and what they can do. "I've always been interested in law enforcement and with this job, I get to serve our country and spend time with dogs. It's the best of both worlds so I hope our demonstrations will widen the horizons of young people who are considering their future careers. Once you see the dogs in action you can appreciate how they protect and help mankind in so many ways, in addition to being our loyal companions."

Terri and Tery will be demonstrating their work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection throughout the weekend, allowing the public to see federal K9 units performing their daily task of searching for narcotics.

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- Jack and Kathy Martin
- Founders, Infurno Flyball
Infurno Flyball was founded by Kathy and Jack Martin of Poughquag, NY, in 2005. When Jack grew tired of traveling almost two hours one way to practice flyball, the Martins began training local dogs in their backyard and eventually entered a flyball tournament. After adding members from New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, Infurno ignited.

A flyball race involves two teams of four dogs each, racing side-by-side over a 51- foot-long course. Dogs must jump over four hurdles, retrieve a tennis ball from a spring-loaded box, and then run back over the same four jumps. The first team with all four dogs across the finish, without error, wins!

"I have always had a passion for animals, but flyball has become my favorite activity to share with my dogs," Kathy says. "If your dog is athletic, energetic and enjoys having other dogs around, then they may like flyball!"

According to Jack, "It's the best way to relieve stress after a day working in corporate America!"

Currently, the Infurno Flyball team has 17 members ranging in age from 8 to 61. The canine members of the team are of various breeds including a Border collie, an Australian shepherd and a Belgian Malinois.

During the demonstrations, spectators will cheer on the dogs as they race down their lane to retrieve their ball. Watch them fly as they race past the finish line and celebrate with their handler.

Don't miss the demonstration ring to watch flyball with Infurno!

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- Lieutenant John Kerwick
- K9 Officer, President of the United States Police Canine Association
John Kerwick serves as the President of the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) and is the Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Canine Unit in New York City, which is also the largest explosive detection canine unit in the United States.

Lt. Kerwick is responsible for the day-to-day management, motivation and long term operations of a fifty-team K-9 unit that is deployed throughout the New York City metropolitan area. He also communicates regularly with federal, state and local agencies to gather intelligence regarding acts of terrorism and to identify current explosive trends and then implements those issues into current training practices.

As the President of the USPCA, Lt. Kerwick meets regularly with other local and federal canine units, helping them train and certify their teams in such areas as patrol, narcotic detection, explosive detection and locating missing persons. When it comes down to catching criminals and finding illegal contraband, Lt. Kerwick says, "In dogs we trust!"

During his twenty years experience in handling police canines, Lt. Kerwick has made numerous arrests and found many weapons, and in 1997 he and his partner "Spike" stopped a person from setting fire to a crowded commuter train in the Bronx. During that event canine "Spike" was injured by the offender but returned to duty in time to see him off to prison.

Lt. Kerwick's current canine partner is named "Hero" in honor of NYPD ESU Police Officer Stephen Driscoll who was killed in the line of duty during the September 11 2001 World Trade Center disaster.

During the demonstration at Meet the Breeds™, spectators will see law enforcement canine teams demonstrate how important obedience and agility skills are in performing their jobs. These officers and their dogs (German Shepherd Dogs and Labrador Retrievers) will simulate recovering evidence at a crime scene, show how they go about locating narcotics and explosives, and even demonstrate how they might have to stop a violent fugitive. Most of all, you will see what a strong relationship there is between the officer and his canine partner.

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Learn About the Demonstrations

Get in the know before you go. Learn about the demonstrations you'll see and the fascinating people behind them.