It has been ayear since Itook this posi-

tion, and I amlooking forward tomaking my secondyear even moreproductive. An

important goal of mine is to increasemember participation. Last year, ournational raffle was a success eventhough a large percentage of membersdid not participate. In 2008, I hope allmembers will choose to be more activein the organization.

The Board is always brainstorm-ing ways to publicize the PHA, andone way is the recent project toupdate and redesign the Web site.Thousands of people have visited theWeb site this year alone. MemberMichael Blanchard is doing a fantas-tic job with the Web site, so pleasegive him some feedback.

The PHA is always moving for-ward, but we need to hear from ourmembers. A lot of positive activity isgoing on in the organization, and Iencourage you to make a goal to bemore active.

Happy Holidays,Michael E. ScottPresident, PHA

Setting MemberParticipation Goals

Volume 9, Issue 1Winter 2008 A Newsletter for Members of the Professional Handlers’ Association

Board of Governors Elects New Officers

The thrill of competition keepsnew Board member LyndaO’Connor of El Cajon, Calif.,

excited about handling. “It’s the thrillof seeing the owners’ faces light upwhen you win,” she says.

O’Connor became involved inpurebred dogs in 1969 when shebegan to train dogs for AKC obedi-ence trials and Junior Showmanshipin Grand Junction, Colo.

In 1975, O’Connor bought herfirst English Springer Spaniel fromGold Camp Kennels. She bought somany dogs from Gold Camp that theowners allowed her to use their ken-nel name when they retired. O’Con-nor continues today breeding EnglishSpringer Spaniels. While in Colorado,O’Connor also began a small business

called “Better Bowsers,” teaching obe-dience and conformation classes.

In 1989, O’Connor moved to El

Michael Scott

Lynda O’Connor Joins PHA Board

See O’Connor, page 4

The Board of Governors electedofficers for 2008 at its October 9meeting. The Board re-elected

Michael Scott of Zone 2 to President;Michael Blanchard of Zone 5 to FirstVice President; Genia Cox of Zone 5 toSecond Vice President; and Nina Fetterof Zone 3 to Secretary/Treasurer.

In other business, the Board:• Reinstated the membership ofAndrew Doyle of Zone 1; • Invited Joanne Charnik and MichelleScott, both of Zone 2, to become mem-bers; • Reviewed Darlene Bergan of Zone 2for membership; • Voted to approve Paul Catterson ofZone 5 for membership, pending a sat-isfactory kennel inspection; • Noted that Melissa Hammond ofZone 1, Tony Vacha of Zone 3, andColton and Heather Johnson of Zone 5

have requested Letters of Intent; and • Noted that the redesigned PHA Website will include Letters of Intent so thatinterested handlers can print out the file.

In miscellaneous business, the Board:• Congratulated member DamaraBolte of Zone 2 for winning a 2008 AKCLifetime Achievement Award (see storyon page 2);• Noted that Stephanie Riduch ofJefferson, Wis., won the Dog News adraffle and will receive a two-page coloradvertisement. Member Cyndi Huck-feldt, who sold the winning ticket, willreceive $100; and• Requested that comments concern-ing handlers seeking PHA membershipbe sent to:

The PHA Inc.17017 Norbrook DriveOlney, MD 20832

Lynda O’Connor of Zone 6A, a newBoard member, stacks one of her GoldCamp English Springer Spaniels.

PHA ReporterPHA Reporter

Cassidy Jackson of Downey,Calif., represented theProfessional Handlers’

Association at the 2007 WestminsterKennel Club Dog Show. She wasselected from Zone 6A and is one of

five winners of the PHA Best JuniorHandler Award.

The five Junior winners placedfirst in 10 or more Open classes atAKC licensed or member shows in2006. They received expense-paid tripsto New York, as well as bronze statuescreated by PHA member Damara Bolte.

After qualifying for Westminsterfor nine years and attending fouryears, Jackson still describes the expe-rience as exciting.

Memories FromWestminsterBy Cassidy Jackson

Traveling to the WestminsterKennel Club Dog Show in New YorkCity is always a highlight of my year.This year was the fourth year I attend-ed. We flew in on Thursday and spentsix wonderful days in “the city thatnever sleeps.”

Much of my time was spent at theMeadowlands Specialties trying toearn the 10th win for the 2008Westminster show. I turned 18 on

February 17, so I only had threemonths to get in all 10 of my wins.Luckily, I gained my last win and willbe able to compete one last time.

My favorite part of New York isbeing able to see the dogs and han-dlers I read about in Dog News or TheChronicle. I love watching the competi-tion in every breed.

This year in the Junior Showman-ship competition, I made it down tothe last four in my Group, but did notmake the finals.

Although the dog shows took up alot of our time in New York, I was stillable to sightsee and eat at some amaz-ing restaurants. My favorite restaurant,The View, is on top of the Marriott. Iwas able to experience fine diningwhile looking over New York City. Therestaurant rotates every hour, so youare able to gaze out the window and seeTimes Square, the Empire State Buildingand many other famous buildings.

Thank you again for helping paymy expenses to Westminster. I had avery memorable time that will last forthe rest of my life.

page 2

PHA Reporter, Winter 2008

PHA Sponsors Junior Handler at Westminster

Longtime Basenji breeder and pro-fessional handler Damara Boltewas honored in December as the

recipient of the 2008 AKC LifetimeAchievement Award in Conformation.

She and three other recipients werehonored for their outstanding contribu-tions on a national level to the sport ofpurebred dogs. Nominees were selectedby AKC member clubs, and the threenominees receiving the most votes wereselected as finalists. Bolte was selectedfrom three finalists in the Confor-mation category.

Bolte’s love for purebred dogsbegan as a child. At age 15, she chose aBoxer as her own first dog because sheloved the breed’s look and its short hair.“I just liked them. I studied their pic-tures in Dog World,” she says.

In 1947, Bolte began showing herBoxer and “got bit by the bug,” shesays. “I loved looking at all the dogs; itwas almost like going into an art gallery.I also enjoyed the competition because itwas the dogs that were in competition.”

Bolte attended Purdue University,majoring in animal husbandry. “Live-stock judging really prepared me forassessing different animals,” says Bolte.“When you have to get in front of abunch of farm boys and tell them whyyou placed your class the way you did,you have to learn quickly, or you looklike a fool.”

After graduating from Purdue,Bolte moved to Germany with her par-ents. After her parents left Germany,Bolte stayed in Europe and studied ani-mal sculpture in Paris.

When her studies in Paris conclud-ed, she moved to Maryland to help afriend on a farm. After one summer ofbeing a farm hand, she decided againstthat career path and went to work as akennel manager for a breeder ofBasenjis in Middleburg, Va. “I was thekennel manager, but I did it all,” saysBolte. “I did the paperwork, breeding,training and showing.”

The breeder, Bettina Belmont Ward,gave Bolte a Basenji, Bettinas Fedha,

and Bolte began breeding her ownBasenjis under the Reveille Basenji pre-fix. “My Basenji lived to be 13 years old

Damara Bolte Receives AKC Lifetime Achievement Award

Junior Handler Cassidy Jackson was oneof the last four contenders in her Groupat the 2007 Westminster Kennel ClubDog Show. She is one of the PHA’s 2007Best Junior Handler Award recipients.

Damara Bolte, winner of the 2008 AKCLifetime Achievement Award in Confor-mation, is the owner of Reveille Basenjis.She has been a professional handler forover 40 years.

See Bolte, page 4

page 3

PHA Reporter, Winter 2008

When dressing for dog shows,handlers should rememberthe rules for proper attire.

Although there are no written rules,handlers need to be aware that theirappearance in the show ring affects thequality of the dog’s presentation.Sometimes, it makes a differencebetween winning or losing.

Looking the PartThough the judges and audience

focus on the dogs during shows, han-dlers should be aware they are beingwatched as well. In order to make agood impression on the judges, han-dlers should look professional and con-fident.

“If you want to look professional inthe ring, it all begins with your attire,”says professional handler DeannaHanna of Nampa, Idaho. “You need tolook the part in order to play the part.”A handler for 50 years, Hanna has seenpeople lose points at shows because oftheir poor attire.

When choosing attire for competi-tions, handlers should choose outfitsthat are both professional and function-al. For instance, a handler’s outfitshould have pockets for bait. “You needsomewhere to hide your bait during

shows,” says professional handler DinahBaggenstos of The Dalles, Ore. Wearinga color that contrasts with the dog’s coatcolor “helps to showcase the dog, andyou won’t blend together,” she says.

Both handlers suggest that womenwear a longer skirt or nice slacks, andthat men wear slacks and a jacket. Ahandler should never take off his or herjacket unless the judge removes his.

“This shows respect for the judge,”Baggenstos says. “Your client deservesto have someone in the ring who

respects the judge and is dressed nicelywhile doing a good job.”

Handlers need to apply the sameprofessional, yet functional, idea to theirfootwear. “You should wear shoes thatare comfortable and have footing soyou’re not slipping on the mats,” Hannasays. “Make sure the shoes are nice. Tennisshoes can make you look unprofessional.

“Clothing, though an integral partof your presentation, should not takecenter stage. You’re showing off thedog, not your wardrobe.”

PHA member Kaz Hosaka represents theprofessional look that is recommended fordog shows. Here, he is handling Toy PoodleCH Smash JP Win A Victory.

Professional handler Lynda O'Connor considers professionalism and comfort in choosingclothes to wear in the ring.

Attending to DetailsSubmitted by Genia Cox

The dryer is turned off, brushesand combs put away in the tack box,and finally everything is ready. Youtake off the grooming jacket and getinto your show clothes, but there’s arun in your nylons. And, then, there’sthat run-down heel on your unpol-ished shoes.

If you attend shows dressed likethis, your beautiful four-legged friendwill be presented by a dress codeflunky! Would you go into the ring inflip-flops, tattered jeans or T-shirtshanging out? Remember, judges look

for the complete picture – you andyour exhibit together. One unit, onephoto, one impression. The firstimpression is the one that counts.

Dog show judges dress to partici-pate in a classy sporting event. Photostaken at any show can be published,and you are showing your willingnessto also be a classy exhibitor by attend-ing to details. If you strive to be on amagazine cover, are a trendsetter withimpeccable taste, or pay attention tothe complete scenario, then you are adress code standout!

You can help raise the bar bybeing the professional you are.

A Handler’s Guide to Dressing Appropriately

page 4

PHA Reporter, Winter 2008

Zone 1 from Fred OlsonPlanning began to set up and moni-

tor the grooming and benching area forthe Westminster Kennel Club DogShow. Several kennel clubs asked forPHA assistance in setting up the groom-ing areas at their shows. Zone 1 helpedset up at the Mohican Sun, theFarmington Valley Kennel Club, and theSpringfield dog shows thisfall.

Zone 2 from SueWhaley

Zone 2 had a busy summer.Thanks to all the PHA memberswho helped make it a success.

At the May Soaring GullCircuit in Hampton, Va.,we held a seminar for 44Juniors at the Gloucesterand Langley Kennel Clubshows. The seminar was such asuccess that we were asked to repeat itin 2008.

PHA members spoke to JuniorHandlers at the Foothills Circuit inSalem, Va. It was a rewarding, well-attended session in a circuit that hasmany Junior activities during the fivedays of shows.

Bert Halsey, myself and other mem-bers set up the inside grooming area forthe Labor Day circuit of shows inRaleigh, N.C.

Zone 3 from Nina FetterOur members set up at the

Columbus, Ohio, and Lansing, Mich.,shows this fall.

Overall, it has been quiet in ourZone since the last Board meeting.

Zone 4 from Carol GreenThe “Meet and Greet” pizza party

with the Ocala, Fla., cluster was can-celed because of conflicts. Anotheractivity will be scheduled.

We have approached several clubsabout assisting with grooming

and parking areas, and are waiting onresponses.

We inspected reinstated memberLois Horan’s kennel.

Zone 5 from Genia CoxMember Karen Newman has

responded positively to chemotherapy.She is in our thoughts and prayers.

Several handlers have submittedLetters of Intent and are sending inapplications.

Our Zone does not have the oppor-tunity to assist with setups for area ken-nel clubs because we do not haveenough members. Thus, we are alwayssearching for new members.

Zone 6 from Dinah Baggenstosand Deanna Hanna for OllieClick

Zone 6 taught over 200 juniors andadults in handling classes at

the Blackfoot shows inJune.

Members set upgrooming at the Portland,Ore., shows for the first

time. Many Junior Handlersalso assisted us prior to theshow. Our Zone also will besetting up grooming at theSalem shows.

The fun match in August wasunsuccessful because of inclement

weather, but we hope to do a raf-fle in lieu of the match.

Dinah Baggenstos assistedwith a Junior seminar in Atlanta.

Zone 6A from Lynda O’ConnorThere was low attendance at the

organizational meeting in July. Since Iam a new member of the Board, I amworking to make our Zone more active.One of our next activities is a raffle thatwill take place in the first part of nextyear. Charlotte Ventura is gathering theraffle items.

Grooming setups are not done inour Zone.

News From PHA Zones Around the Country

Cajon, Calif., to be close to a plethora ofdog shows. She began professionallyshowing Sporting, Non-Sporting andHound breeds. She became a member ofthe Professional Handlers’ Associationin 1995. O’Connor has finished morethan 75 English Springer Spaniels of herown breeding; the first to win a Best inShow was Multi-BIS/BISS CH GoldCamp Point Break.

O’Connor stays in the businessbecause she enjoys “showing dogs andhelping other people.” She hopes thatmore PHA members will follow her

lead and get more involved in the orga-nization.

“I always get asked what the PHAcan do for people, and I always askthem what they can do for the PHA,”she says. “You have to give back to theorganization.”

O’ConnorContinued from page 1

BolteContinued from page 2

and had some nice babies, but in orderto support my hobby of showing, Ishowed a few dogs for other people,which grew into a modest little busi-ness,” she says.

With her sprouting handling career,

Bolte was asked to join the ProfessionalHandlers’ Association in the 1960s.When she retired from her job as asupervisor of animal husbandry at theNational Institutes of Health, shemoved out of her parents’ home andbuilt a house and a kennel for her busi-ness in Leesburg, Va.

Not only has Bolte been a longtimeboard member of the Basenji Club ofAmerica, but she also is the currentpresident of the Dominion Kennel Clubof Northern Virginia. She was the AKCGazette Basenji breed columnist for 30years and was honored in 2002 as thefirst recipient of the AKC Breeder of theYear Award in the Hound Group.

Michael Peterson, D.V.M., co-editor of “Small AnimalToxicology,” spoke to PHA

members this year at dog shows acrossthe country about his recommenda-tions for a handler’s first-aid kit.

He suggests using this list as aguide, but tailoring it to what worksbest with each breed. He also suggeststhat handlers take this list to their vet-erinarian and ask for recommenda-tions. Peterson encourages handlers tolabel and date each item in the kit, andto pay attention to expiration dates.

Here are Peterson’s suggestions ofitems to include in a useful first-aidkit:

• Gauze sponges;

• Triple antibiotic ointment toreduce scarring;

• Rubbing alcohol and prep padsfor cleaning the skin around aninjury;

• Ear syringe or a bulb syringefor flushing the ear or wound;

• Ace® Self-Adhering AthleticBandage;

• Vaseline to keep drainage fromsticking to skin and hair;

• Eye wash and eye drops;

• Sterile non-adherent pads thatprevent scabs from sticking to thebandage when wrapping awound;

• Liquid Pepto-Bismol® forstomach pain;

• Antihistamine 1 & 2(Benadryl® or Tavist®) for allergicreactions;

• Sterile stretch gauze bandage;

• NSAID (such as Deramaxx® orMetacam®) for pain relief;

• Dermicil hypoallergenic clothtape so dog hair will not stick todressing;

• Hydogen peroxide;

• Kaopectate® tablets for diar-rhea;

• Bandage scissors;

• Custom splints;

• Veterinary wrap bandage thatstretches and does not cling tohair;

• Betadine®, an antiseptic toclean wounds;

• Antibiotics for bacterial infec-tions;

• Bran flakes that are helpfulmanaging loose stools;

• Reglan® for stomach pain;

• Stomach tube that can be usedfor treating bloat if handlers areproperly trained;

• Maalox®;

• Ice;

• Tweezers;

• Prednisone, an anti-inflamma-tory medication;

• Topical cortisone spray(Gentocin® or Genesis®), an anti-inflammatory medication;

• Neosporin® for pain relief;

• Otic ear wash/flush(Dermapet®) for ear cleaning;

• Physiologic saline, such as eyewash, that can be used to flush orclean wounds;

• Skin stapler;

• Styptic, an anticoagulant;

• Cotton balls; and

• Sterile gloves.

Other Items to include are:

• Blanket;

• Towels;

• Muzzle;

• Hemostats that may be used topull thorns or clean wounds;

• Rectal thermometer;

• Sandwich bags for storage; and

• Paperwork such as healthrecords, vaccines, current medica-tions, veterinarian’s phone num-ber, locations of local emergencyclinics, owners instructions ontreatment, and other pertinentinformation.

page 5

PHA Reporter, Winter 2008

A Handler’s First-Aid Kit

page 6

PHA Reporter, Winter 2008

Professional Handlersʼ Association17017 Norbrook DriveOlney, MD 20832

The PHA Reporter is sponsored by Nestlé Purina PetCareCompany and published by the Professional Handlersʼ

Association. The views expressed herein do not necessarilyreflect those of Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.

Professional Handlersʼ Association17017 Norbrook Drive

Olney, Md. 20832ph: (301) 924-0089

Have you visited the PHA Web site lately? MichaelBlanchard of Zone 5 is redesigning the Web site foreasier navigation and accessibility.

The Web site contains valuable member information,such as a Zone map, member directory and photo gallery. TheWeb site also is a great source of information for prospectivemembers, with links to kennel requirements and membershipbenefits.

Since August 2, 2004, 395,000 people have visited thePHA Web site, and 41,000 people have explored the Web sitebeyond the home page. A significant drop in Web site trafficoccurred last May, but by September, visitors had nearly dou-bled the number in May. The Professional Handlers’ Associ-ation Web site address is www.phadoghandlers.com.

Request for ArticlesKathy Bowser requests that PHA members send her articlesfor the next issue of The PHA Reporter. Please send them to:

Kathy Bowser17017 Norbrook Drive

Olney, Md. 20832

PHA Web Site Is Redesigned