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July 15, 2008

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Features

Specialty Carting Certificate Program Approved for all Regional Clubs

The Working Dog Committee (WDC) and NCA Board recently approved that Regional clubs may now hold NCA Specialty Carting at any Regional club event or as an independent event. Previously it was only allowed at National and Regional Specialties. The WDC had received requests from NCA members asking for more beginner level draft events. We felt we had a very good beginner event in Specialty Carting but that it was under utilized. Regional clubs will now be able to hold Specialty Carting events in conjunction with their other events such as fun days, draft tests, or independently. There will be no formal application process or fees to hold the event. The Regional club will notify the WDC draft records person by phone or email that they plan to hold the event and list their date, site and judge. The rules are now available on the NCA web site. The certificates for qualifiers will also be made available on the web site. After the test the Regional club will again contact the WDC draft records person to inform them of how many entries they had in each division, on lead and off lead, as well as how many passed each division. The WDC will keep these statistics for two years to collect data on this event as to how often it is being held and how many people are entering and passing. The WDC feels that this will encourage more beginners to start draft work. It will offer an easier goal for them to reach then entering a draft test. Hopefully many of these beginners will want to continue their training for draft tests but some may prefer not to train to that level and Specialty Carting will give them an option to enter on lead and without a freight haul or weight in their cart.

"A Dog Named Buddy"

by Dick Shumer

Most people do not think of Newfoundlands when they think of assistance dogs.  Dick Shumer, of Austin, TX shares Buddy’s talents with us.

VN CH Whisperbay's Tejas Compadre, CD, DD, WRD (Buddy) is my second set of legs.  I have a disability resulting from severe back injuries and I usually use a cane to walk.  In assistance dog terms, Buddy is a "walker" dog.
           
I have an older dog, Fagin, that I had trained to assist me.  Four years ago, I knew I needed to find and train another dog before Fagin retired.  After some research, I found a breeder I liked.  Buddy was shipped to me when he was 12 weeks old.

Many assistance dogs are trained through organizations, then paired with their human partners.  I trained Buddy myself.  I evaluated his abilities and strengths at the time and began to train accordingly. He was a very self-confident puppy, full of joy.  I used only positive, motivational training. I wanted Buddy to want to work and not be forced to work for me. I wanted Buddy to keep his attention on me at all times so I taught him off-lead heeling before I put a leash on him.
           

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Learn More about Newfoundland Service Dogs

Download the Specialty Carting Guidelines

Learn more about Newfoundland Draft Work

Rescue Progam Restructured

The NCA is so fortunate to have members who are willing to share their experience, good judgment, and expertise with NCA Rescue to provide extraordinary service to NCA Rescue and the Newfoundlands we serve.

As announced at the National Specialty, Diane Lynch, Rescue Chair for New-Pen-Del NC, has agreed to fill the new position of Assistant NCA Rescue Chair. Diane will answer the email requests for information and referrals to regional clubs generated from the NCA website and other websites.

Mary Price will continue as NCA Rescue Chair and focus on raising funds from new sources, such as grants from foundations and other fundraising activities. Joan and Doug Fenwick have extensive experience in grant writing and have volunteered to help with grant applications.

NCA Rescue's first attempt at fundraising with shirts sales at the National Specialty was a huge success, no doubt due to Sue Miller and her team's efforts.

Learn More about NCA Rescue

NCA Supports AKC Museum of the Dog

The AKC Museum of the Dog is dedicated to the collection, preservation, exhibition, and interpretation of the art, artifacts and literature of the dog for the purposes of education, historical perspective, aesthetic enjoyment and in order to enhance the appreciation for and knowledge of the significance of the dog and the human/canine relationship.

The NCA Board approved a $1000 annual donation to support the work of the AKC Museum of the Dog.

The AKC Museum of the Dog houses a number of works depicting Newfoundland Dogs

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The NCA National Specialty was held April 28- May 4 in Warwick RI

Visit the National Specialty Website

NCA Supports AKC Humane Fund as Founding Member with $1000 Donation

The AKC Humane Fund, Inc., a non-profit charitable organization has been created with the mission of uniting a broad spectrum of animal lovers in promoting the joy and value of responsible pet ownership through education, outreach and grant-making. The Fund plans to provide financial support to organizations that educate adults and children about responsible pet ownership, provide for the health and well being of all dogs, and preserve and celebrate the human-animal bond.

"The creation of the AKC Humane Fund is to further our compassion for animals and embodies our strong conviction that responsible ownership is the solution to animal-related issues in our society," said Dennis B. Sprung, Chairman and President of the AKC Humane Fund. "As we move forward, we invite all who share our vision of strengthening the human-animal bond through education and action to join us."