The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to welcome ten students chosen to participate in the 2005 AKC Internship Program. The program- open to college students with a background and interest in purebred dogs- is designed to further their professional development as well as help AKC identify potential employees with experience in both AKC operations and the sport.
AKC’s interns will work on specific project assignments aimed at their interests and career goals. In addition, they will receive an orientation to expose them to all facets of AKC. The following interns will be employed at AKC for a period of eight weeks, from June 6th to July 29th, 2005:
New York Headquarters
- Emily Bisso – Executive Assistant. Emily is originally from New Orleans. She is a senior at Washington and Lee University, where she is studying for her degree in English and Psychology. She started out in Junior Showmanship and now exhibits Irish Setters in Conformation. Emily earned her provisional license to judge Junior Showmanship in May 2005 and is a multiple winner of AKC’s Junior Scholarship Award.
- Emma Stone – Project Administration. Emma is from Des Moines, Iowa. She attends the University of Kansas, where she studies Strategic Communications, specializing in Journalism. She is a former Junior Handler and an avid participant in the sport, training Shetland Sheepdogs and Boston Terriers for Agility, Conformation and Obedience.
- Kimberly Silva – Publications. Kimberly comes from Smithtown, New York. She graduated in May 2005 with a degree in English from Dowling University. A former Junior Handler, she now loves to show her Bullmastiffs in Conformation. Kimberly also contributes to the sport by judging Junior Showmanship and helps young handlers perfect their skills.
- Julia Nietsch – Communications. Julia is a native of Newtown, Connecticut. She attends Temple University, where she is studying for her degree in Strategic and Organizational Communication with a specialization in Public Relations. She has participated in Conformation with her Bullmastiffs and enjoys training and promoting responsible dog ownership within the breed.
Raleigh Operations
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- Allison Johnson – Special Services. Allison’s hometown is Wilmington, North Carolina. She is working towards her dual degree in Biological Sciences and Psychology at North Carolina State University. She spends her time training Papillons and an Affenpinscher for Conformation, Obedience and Agility. Allison is an AKC Junior Showmanship Judge and an AKC Junior Scholarship recipient. This is her second year as an intern.
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- Whitney Meeks – Web Marketing. Whitney is from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. She is working towards a degree in Corporate Communication at Elon University. She is a former Junior Handler and has her provisional license for judging Junior Showmanship. Whitney currently owns and exhibits a Doberman Pinscher, Irish Wolfhound, Border Terrier and Airedale Terrier.
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- Gabrielle Tesarz – Event Operations. Gabrielle is from Concord, North Carolina and is a recent graduate from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College with an associate’s degree in Arts. She will begin attending the University of North Carolina in the fall. Her family has Polish Lowland Sheepdogs and Shetland Sheepdogs. She is active in the purebred community, contributing to many club events and serving as show chairman for her local club’s dog show. She is also a recipient of AKC’s Junior Scholarship Award.
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- Stephanie Smith – Public Education. Stephanie is from Fayetteville, Georgia. She attends the University of Miami, where she is double majoring in English and Spanish. A former Junior Handler, she now exhibits her Golden Retrievers in Conformation. Stephanie has obtained Canine Good Citizenship titles on her dogs and has worked with them in Obedience.
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- Joseph Esch – Coonhounds Events. Joseph is from Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. He attends the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he is studying Animal Science. He is a third generation dog fancier, exhibiting smooth and rough Collies with his family. He is a former Junior Handler and an active member of both local and national Collie clubs. Joseph is an AKC Junior Scholarship Award recipient.